THE REFLECTION OF GUIDED-WAVES FROM CIRCUMFERENTIAL NOTCHES IN PIPES

The reflection of the L(0,2), axially symmetric guided elastic wave fr om notches in pipes is examined, using laboratory experiments and fini te element simulations. The results show that the reflection coefficie nt of this mode is very close to a linear function of the circumferent ial extent of the notch, and is a stronger function of the through thi ckness depth of the notch. The motivation for the work was the develop ment of a technique for inspecting chemical plant pipework, but the st udy addresses the nature of the reflection function and has general ap plicability.