SCATTERING OF WAVES BY FLAWS IN ANISOTROPIC LAMINATED PLATES

The strip element method (SEM) is used to investigate wave scattering by rectangular flaws in anisotropic laminated plates. The plates conta ining flaws are divided by junctions into domains in which the SEM is applied. For each domain, SEM equations are obtained which give a rela tionship between the traction and displacement vector on the vertical boundaries. A set of equations which gives a relationship between the traction and displacement vector on the junctions is then obtained by assembling the SEM equations for all the domains. This set of equation s is solved by using the conditions on;he junctions. Scattered wave fi elds in the frequency domain for isotropic and composite plates with r ectangular flaws are computed and discussed in comparison with results for corresponding plates without flaws. A technique for determining t he length of a rectangular flaw in a plate is also presented. The resu lts presented in this paper are of importance and could be used in the characterization of flaws in anisotropic laminated plates. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited