Ultrasonics 112 (2021) 106334

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Ultrasonics
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ultras

Mode conversion of SH guided waves with symmetry inversion in plates

Alan C. Kubrusly a ,∗, Pedro Tovar a , Jean Pierre von der Weid a , Steve Dixon b
a
Centre for Telecommunication Studies, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
b
Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Keywords: When shear horizontal ultrasonic guided waves interact with thickness discontinuities in plates, the reflected
SH guided waves and transmitted wavefields can be composed of several modes due to mode conversion. It is known that in a
Mode conversion plate with a symmetric discontinuity, with respect to the plate’s mid-plane, mode conversion is restricted to
Reciprocity principle
modes that share the same symmetry as the incident mode. In this paper, we use an analytical model based
Discontinuity
on the reciprocity principle and finite element analysis to investigate mode conversion due to the interaction
Symmetry
with different types of discontinuity, namely, non-symmetric, symmetric and geometrically symmetric but with
opposite boundary conditions, that is one side of the discontinuity free and the other rigidly fixed. We show that
the reflected field due to interaction with the latter is virtually restricted to modes with the opposite symmetry
of the incident one, acting as a symmetry inverter discontinuity. Unlike fully symmetric discontinuities, the
effectiveness of a symmetry inverter discontinuity depends on the frequency. This was proved with aid of the
analytical model for a full-depth discontinuity and verified for partial depth discontinuities. Finally, symmetry
inversion of SH waves was experimentally verified in acrylic plates which were symmetrically machined and
filled with steel in one side to mimic a fixed boundary condition.

1. Introduction mode conversion. Recently, Lee et al. [12] used it to calculated the
scattered field of the fundamental torsional mode in pipes from a more
Investigation of the interaction of Shear horizontal (SH) ultrasonic complex geometry, namely a tapered wall thinning, without, however,
guided waves with discontinuities attracts attention since thickness considering mode conversion. A similar analytical approach was used
discontinuities are commonly used to model defects such as corrosion by Poddar and Giurgiutiu [15], to calculate the scattering coefficients
and cracks [1–3] and thus are relevant for non-destructive evaluation
of Lamb waves from thickness discontinuities, by projecting the stress
of plates and pipes [4,5]. Depending on some parameters, such as the
or displacement boundary conditions onto the displacement or stress
operating frequency-thickness product or the discontinuity shape, the
vector spaces of the guided wave modes respectively, thus addressing
interaction of SH waves with a discontinuity can be quite complex [6,
projection in terms of the averaged power flow.
7]. Above the cut-off frequency of the first-order mode, the SH1 mode,
when any SH guided wave mode impinges upon a discontinuity, the SH guided wave modes are classified between symmetric and an-
scattered field is potentially composed of several guided wave modes tisymmetric according to their displacement profile across the plate’s
due to mode conversion [6–9], what renders interpretation of signals thickness. In principle, due to the incidence of a single SH mode upon
complicated. a thickness discontinuity, any mode can arise due to mode conver-
The effect of a discontinuity on guided waves can be studied ei- sion. However, if the discontinuity is symmetric with respect to the
ther experimentally [4,6,7,10], numerically, using for instance finite plate’s centre, then only modes that share the same symmetry of the
element analysis [3,8,9], or analytically [1,11–15]. The reciprocity the- incident mode are reflected back or transmitted into the discontinuity.
orem of elastodynamics relates the elastic solutions in two states within The reason for this lies in the symmetry of the boundary conditions
the same body [16] and can be used to analytically calculate the scat- that causes the solution to completely decouple between symmetric
tered field. This is accomplished by considering that one state consists and antisymmetric modes. This phenomenon has been already verified
of the response field in the presence of the discontinuity, whereas the
either numerically [8,9,17] or experimentally [17].
other consists of a single-mode in the absence of the discontinuity. Pau
For a non-symmetric wall thinning, the values of the reflection
et al. [11] used the reciprocity principle to calculate the reflected and
coefficients depend on the thinning depth and edge angle. It has been
transmitted field from discontinuities in a rod waveguide considering

∗ Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: [email protected] (A.C. Kubrusly), [email protected] (S. Dixon).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultras.2020.106334
Received 22 June 2020; Received in revised form 26 November 2020; Accepted 2 December 2020
Available online 24 December 2020
0041-624X/© 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A.C. Kubrusly et al. Ultrasonics 112 (2021) 106334

observed that the reflection of a mode that has opposite symmetry

as the incident one can be more intense than the reflection of the
incident mode itself [6]. However, a complete symmetry inversion, that
is, the reflected field being composed uniquely by modes with opposite
symmetry as the incident mode, is a phenomenon that has not been
observed.
This paper investigates whether, and under which conditions, an
effective symmetry inversion arises. A previous preliminary study car-
ried out with finite element analysis indicated that a geometrically
symmetric discontinuity with opposite boundary conditions, meaning
free on one side and rigidly fixed on the other, behaves as a symmetry
inverter discontinuity [18]. Here, this phenomenon is verified and the
study is comprehensively extended: the problem is analytically mod-
elled by means of the reciprocity principle and also using commercial
finite element software, the effectiveness of the symmetry inverter
discontinuity as a function of the frequency is analysed and finally
experimentally verified. Fig. 1. Displacement profile for SH guided wave modes in (a) free-surfaces plate, (b)
The rest of the paper is organized as follows. Section 2 derives the free-fixed surfaces plate.
equations for the mode profiles and dispersion curves for SH waves in
free-surface plates as well as in plates where one surface is free and
the other is fixed. Section 3 exploits the reciprocity principle to solve where 𝐶𝑛 and 𝐷𝑛 are constants. The final expression for 𝑈𝑛 (𝑦) and 𝑠 are
the reflected and transmitted modes due to the interaction of an SH obtained by applying the boundary condition at the plate’s surfaces.
wave mode with discontinuities on either one or both surfaces of a plate
where each side may be considered as free or fixed. Section 4 describes 2.1. SH guided waves in plates with free surfaces
the finite element simulation setup. Section 5 shows the numerical and
analytical results. Section 6 describe the experimental setup used to The most common boundary conditions are both surfaces as free,
verify symmetry inversion and its results. Finally, Section 7 concludes i.e.:
the work.
|
𝜎𝑦𝑧 | =0 , (8)
|𝑦=±ℎ∕2
2. SH guided waves in plates
where the 𝑦 coordinate is located at the middle of the plate. Using
Shear horizontal (SH) guided waves [19] present only one non- Eq. (2b) into Eq. (8) yields
null displacement component, in the 𝑧 direction, perpendicular to the 𝐶𝑛 𝑒±𝑗𝑠ℎ∕2 − 𝐷𝑛 𝑒∓𝑗𝑠ℎ∕2 = 0 , (9)
propagation direction, 𝑥, and to the coordinate of the plate thickness,
𝑦. The displacement field for an incident mode of order 𝑛 is given by: whose solution is

𝑢𝑧 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) = 𝐴𝑛 𝑈𝑛 (𝑦)𝑒𝑗(𝜔𝑡−𝜅𝑛 𝑥) , (1) 𝑠ℎ = 𝑛𝜋 , (10)

where 𝜔 is the angular frequency, 𝜅𝑛 , 𝐴𝑛 and 𝑈𝑛 (𝑦) are the wavenum- and
ber, amplitude and displacement profile of mode 𝑛, respectively. The
𝐶𝑛 = 𝐷𝑛 𝑒𝑗𝑠ℎ , (11)
non-null stress components are:
𝜕𝑢𝑧 where 𝑛 is an integer. Eq. (10) yields to the well-known dispersion
𝜎𝑥𝑧 = 𝜇 = −𝑗𝜇𝜅𝑛 𝐴𝑛 𝑈𝑛 (𝑦)𝑒𝑗(𝜔𝑡−𝜅𝑛 𝑥) , (2a) relationship
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑢 d𝑈 (𝑦) √
𝜎𝑦𝑧 = 𝜇 𝑧 = 𝜇𝐴𝑛 𝑛 𝑒𝑗(𝜔𝑡−𝜅𝑛 𝑥) , (2b) Ω2 − 𝜉𝑛2 = 𝑛 . (12)
𝜕𝑦 d𝑦
where 𝜇 is the second Lamé constant of the medium. For SH waves, Solution is often expressed in terms of the phase speed, 𝑐𝑛 = 𝜔∕𝜅𝑛 ; the
the equation of motion is: adimensional phase speed is
Ω 𝑐 Ω
𝑐𝑇2 ∇2 𝑢𝑧 = 𝑢̈ 𝑧 , (3) 𝜂𝑛 = = 𝑛 = √ . (13)
√ 𝜉𝑛 𝑐𝑇 Ω2 − 𝑛2
where the dot over a field means its time derivative, 𝑐𝑇 = 𝜇∕𝜌 is the
shear speed of the medium, with 𝜌 as the mass density. Applying Eq. (1) Eq. (11) yields the modes’ displacement profile:
in Eq. (3) yields 𝑈𝑛 (𝑦) = cos(𝑛𝜋𝑦∕ℎ + 𝑛𝜋∕2) . (14)
d2 𝑈𝑛 (𝑦) 2
= −𝑠 𝑈𝑛 (𝑦) (4) Fig. 1(a) shows the displacement profile and Fig. 2 shows the phase
d2 𝑦 speed dispersion curves for SH waves in a free-surface plate.
where
( ) 2.2. SH guided waves in plates with free-fixed surfaces
𝑠2 = Ω2 − 𝜉𝑛2 𝜋 2 ∕ℎ2 , (5)

with Ω and 𝜉𝑛 being the adimensional frequency and wavenumber, It is considered now that one of the surfaces is free and the opposite
given by is fixed, for instance, the upper surface is fixed and the lower one is free.
𝜔ℎ Then, the boundary conditions are:
Ω= , (6a)
𝜋𝑐𝑇 |
𝜎𝑦𝑧 | = 0 and 𝑢𝑧 ||𝑦=+ℎ∕2 = 0 . (15)
𝜅 ℎ |𝑦=−ℎ∕2
𝜉𝑛 = 𝑛 , (6b)
𝜋 Using Eqs. (2b) and (1) into Eq. (15) yields
and ℎ is the plate thickness. The general solution of Eq. (4) is {
𝐶𝑛 𝑒−𝑗𝑠ℎ∕2 − 𝐷𝑛 𝑒+𝑗𝑠ℎ∕2 = 0
. (16)
𝑈𝑛 (𝑦) = 𝐶𝑛 𝑒+𝑗𝑠𝑦 + 𝐷𝑛 𝑒−𝑗𝑠𝑦 , (7) 𝐶𝑛 𝑒+𝑗𝑠ℎ∕2 + 𝐷𝑛 𝑒−𝑗𝑠ℎ∕2 = 0

2
A.C. Kubrusly et al. Ultrasonics 112 (2021) 106334

Fig. 2. Phase speed of integer-order, continuous lines, and half-integer order, dashed
line, SH guided wave modes. Half-integer modes propagate in a free-fixed plate.

Fig. 3. States 𝐴 and 𝐵 of a plate waveguide and coordinate system. State 𝐴 represents
the waveguide in the presence of a discontinuity, uniform along 𝑧 with upper depth
The solution of Eq. (16) is 𝑑𝑇 and lower depth 𝑑𝐵 . State 𝐵 represents the waveguide in the absence of any
discontinuity.
2𝑚 + 1
𝑠ℎ = 𝜋 , (17)
2
where 𝑚 is an integer. Setting 𝑛 = (2𝑚 + 1)∕2, the same expression
for the phase speed, Eq. (13), can be used but only half-integer order Therefore, the whole displacement and stress fields are, respec-
modes exist, i.e., 𝑛 = 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5... . Eq. (11) and the expression for tively:
{
the modes’ displacement profile, Eq. (14), still hold with half-integer 𝑢𝑖 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) + 𝑢𝑟 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) , 𝑥 < 𝑥𝑑
values for 𝑛. Fig. 1(b) shows the displacement profile and Fig. 2 shows 𝑢𝑧 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) = , (20)
𝑢𝑡 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) , 𝑥 > 𝑥𝑑
the phase speed dispersion curves for SH waves with half-integer order
modes that propagate in a free-fixed surface plate. {
𝜎𝑖 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) + 𝜎𝑟 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) , 𝑥 < 𝑥𝑑
SH modes in a free-surface plate are classified as symmetric and an- 𝜎𝑥𝑧 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) = . (21)
tisymmetric according to their displacement profile. Even-order modes 𝜎𝑡 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) , 𝑥 > 𝑥𝑑
are symmetric and odd-order modes antisymmetric. On the other hand,
3. Analytical calculation of scattered modes
if the boundary conditions are free on one surface and fixed on the
opposite surface, then modes are neither symmetric nor antisymmetric.
The reciprocity principle relates the elastodynamics of a body in
Observing Eq. (12) one can see that the mode 𝑛 is propagating only if
two different states, namely 𝐴 and 𝐵. Following Pau et al. [11] it can
the Ω is above a cut-off value given by Ωcut-off = 𝑛, otherwise 𝜉𝑛 is
be written as:
imaginary and mode 𝑛 is evanescent, this is valid for either integer or ( )
half-integer modes. 𝜎 𝐵 𝑢𝐴 − 𝜎𝑖𝑗𝐴 𝑢𝐵
𝑗 𝑛𝑖 𝑑 = 0 (22)
∯S 𝑖𝑗 𝑗
where, 𝜎𝑖𝑗 is the stress tensor and 𝑢𝑗 the displacement vector, super-
2.3. Scattered field from a discontinuity
scripts 𝐴 and 𝐵 correspond to the state in which the fields are referred,
S is a closed surface that encloses the volume of interest and 𝑛𝑖 is
In this paper, it is considered a propagating SH wave mode in a the normal unit vector pointing outward S . Implicit sum is considered
free-surface plate that impinges upon a thickness discontinuity. This for repeated indexes. In order to calculate the scattered field due to
produces a reflected and transmitted fields that can be composed of the interaction with a discontinuity, one should consider states 𝐴 and
several modes, due to mode-conversion, as follows: 𝐵 as the waveguide in the presence and absence of the discontinuity,
∑ respectively. Fig. 3 illustrates both states and the surrounding surface
𝑢𝑟 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) = 𝑅𝑝𝑞 𝐴𝑝 𝑈𝑞𝑙 (𝑦)𝑒𝑗(𝜔𝑡+𝜅𝑞 𝑥) , 𝑥 < 𝑥𝑑 and (18a)
𝑞 S.
∑ It is handy to consider that the input, S𝑖 , and output, S𝑜 , surfaces
𝑢𝑡 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) = 𝑇𝑝𝑞 𝐴𝑝 𝑈𝑞𝑟 (𝑦)𝑒𝑗(𝜔𝑡−𝜅𝑞 𝑥) , 𝑥 > 𝑥𝑑 (18b) are both located at the discontinuity position. More precisely, at the
𝑞
left- and right-hand side limits of the discontinuity position, which,
where 𝑅𝑝𝑞 and 𝑇𝑝𝑞 are the reflection and transmission coefficients from without loss of generality, can be chosen as 𝑥𝑑 = 0. Thus, Eq. (22)
incident mode 𝑝 to scattered mode 𝑞 and 𝑥𝑑 is the longitudinal position reduces to:
of the discontinuity. The superscripts 𝑙 and 𝑟 mean that the mode’s ( ) ( )
profile is taken at the left and right of the discontinuity, respectively. − 𝜎 𝐵 𝑢𝐴 − 𝜎𝑥𝑗
𝐴 𝐵
𝑢𝑗 𝑑 + 𝜎 𝐵 𝑢𝐴 − 𝜎𝑥𝑗
𝐴 𝐵
𝑢𝑗 𝑑 = 0 , (23)
∬S𝑖 𝑥𝑗 𝑗 ∬S𝑜 𝑥𝑗 𝑗
It is worth noting that for 𝑈𝑞𝑟 (𝑦), the proper thickness at the right of
the discontinuity has to be considered in Eq. (14). Besides, depending where the minus sign at the first term appears since the normal vector
of S𝑖 points leftwards. It is considered here that the discontinuity
on the boundary conditions at the right side of the discontinuity, one
can be located at either the top, bottom or both sides, at the same
should assume integer or half-integer order transmitted modes.
longitudinal position. Then, S𝑜 = S𝑖 = S ∪ S𝑀 ∪ S , where S
The relevant stress component for calculating the scattered fields is
and S are free or fixed surfaces at the lower and upper parts of the
𝜎𝑥𝑧 , given by Eq. (2a). The incident, reflected and transmitted 𝜎𝑥𝑧 stress
discontinuity, respectively, and S𝑀 is the middle surface, as illustrated
fields are, respectively:
in Fig. 3. Thus, Eq. (23) becomes
𝜎𝑖 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) = −𝑗𝜇 𝑙 𝜅𝑝 𝐴𝑝 𝑈𝑝𝑙 (𝑦)𝑒𝑗(𝜔𝑡−𝜅𝑝 𝑥) , 𝑥 < 𝑥𝑑 (19a) ( ) ( )
∑ − 𝜎 𝐵 𝑢𝐴,𝑙 − 𝜎𝑥𝑗
𝐴,𝑙 𝐵
𝑢𝑗 𝑑 + 𝜎 𝐵 𝑢𝐴,𝑙 − 𝜎𝑥𝑗
𝐴,𝑙 𝐵
𝑢𝑗 𝑑+
∬S𝑖 𝑥𝑗 𝑗 ∬S 𝑥𝑗 𝑗
𝜎𝑟 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) = 𝑗𝜇𝑙 𝐴𝑝 𝑅𝑝𝑞 𝜅𝑞 𝑈𝑞𝑙 (𝑦)𝑒𝑗(𝜔𝑡+𝜅𝑞 𝑥) , 𝑥 < 𝑥𝑑 (19b) ( )
𝑞 𝐵 𝐴,𝑙 𝐴,𝑙 𝐵
∑ 𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑢𝑗 − 𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑢𝑗 𝑑+ (24)
∬S
𝜎𝑡 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) = −𝑗𝜇 𝑟 𝐴𝑝 𝑇𝑝𝑞 𝜅𝑞 𝑈𝑞𝑟 (𝑦)𝑒𝑗(𝜔𝑡−𝜅𝑞 𝑥) , 𝑥 > 𝑥𝑑 . (19c)
( )
𝑞
𝜎 𝐵 𝑢𝐴,𝑟 − 𝜎𝑥𝑗
𝐴,𝑟 𝐵
𝑢𝑗 𝑑 = 0 ,
∬S𝑀 𝑥𝑗 𝑗

3
A.C. Kubrusly et al. Ultrasonics 112 (2021) 106334

where the second superscript, 𝑙 or 𝑟, means to which part of the discon- 3.2. Free-fixed discontinuity
tinuity state 𝐴 is referred, either left or right-hand sides, respectively.
𝐴 = 0 or 𝑢𝐴 = 0 at S or S , since each side of the
Here, 𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑗   If one of the discontinuity’s surfaces is free and the opposite surface
discontinuity
( can be either) free or fixed, respectively.
( Thus, letting
)
𝐵𝑢 𝐴,𝑙 𝐴,𝑙 𝐵 𝐵 𝐴,𝑙 𝐴,𝑙 𝐵 is fixed, for instance, S is free and S is fixed, then Eq. (24) becomes
 = ∬S 𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑗 − 𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑢𝑗 𝑑 and  = ∬S𝑇 𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑢𝑗 − 𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑢𝑗 𝑑,
𝐵
then − 𝜎 𝐵 𝑢𝐴,𝑙 𝑑 + 𝜎 𝐴,𝑙 𝑢𝐵 𝑑
∬S𝑀 ∪S 𝑥𝑗 𝑗 ∬S ∪S𝑀 𝑥𝑗 𝑗
⎧
⎪ 𝐵 𝐴,𝑙
𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑢𝑗 𝑑 , S , is free (a) ( )
𝐵 𝐴,𝑟 𝐴,𝑟 𝐵
⎪ ∬S , +
∬S𝑀
𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑢𝑗 − 𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑢𝑗 𝑑 = 0 , (30)
 , =⎨ (25)
⎪ − 𝜎 𝐴,𝑙 𝑢𝐵 𝑑 , S , is fixed. (b)
⎪ ∬S , 𝑥𝑗 𝑗 and then,
⎩
ℎ∕2 ℎ∕2−𝑑𝑇
In order to evaluate Eq. (24), the displacement and stress fields at Γ± 𝑙
𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 + 𝜅𝑞 𝜇 𝑙 𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦
𝑞𝑚 = ±𝜅𝑚 𝜇 ∫−ℎ∕2+𝑑𝐵 ∫−ℎ∕2
the left and right-hand sides of the discontinuity, should be used for
state A (given, for SH waves, by Eqs. (20) and (21)), whereas state (31a)
B is composed by just one virtual mode, say 𝑚, that propagates in ℎ∕2−𝑑𝑇 ℎ∕2−𝑑𝑇
the waveguide in the absence of discontinuities. Evaluating Eq. (24) Λ±
𝑞𝑚 = ∓𝜅𝑚 𝜇
𝑙
𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑟 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 + 𝜅𝑞 𝜇 𝑟 𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑟 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦
∫−ℎ∕2+𝑑𝐵 ∫−ℎ∕2+𝑑𝐵
for incident mode 𝑝, considering 𝑁 scattered modes and 𝑁 modes as
virtual waves, i.e., 0 ≤ 𝑞, 𝑚 ≤ 𝑁 − 1, yields: (31b)
ℎ∕2 ℎ∕2−𝑑𝑇
𝚪 𝐑𝐩 + 𝚲𝐓𝐩 = 𝐟 , (26) 𝑓𝑚± = ∓𝜅𝑚 𝜇 𝑙 𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑈𝑝𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 + 𝜅𝑝 𝜇 𝑙 𝑈𝑝𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦,
∫−ℎ∕2+𝑑𝐵 ∫−ℎ∕2
where 𝐑𝐩 and 𝐓𝐩 are column vectors of 𝑁 elements containing the
(31c)
reflection and transmission coefficients, respectively, from mode 𝑝 to
each mode 𝑞, 𝚪 and 𝚲 are 𝑁 × 𝑁 matrices containing all terms related
to the reflection and transmission, respectively and 𝐟 is a column It should be noticed that in this case, the discontinuity itself can
vector of 𝑁 elements related only to the incident mode. Another set of be considered in two different ways. Namely, where just the vertical
equations can be obtained by evaluating Eq. (26) for the virtual mode 𝑚 wall of the upper section of the discontinuity, S , is fixed or if the
propagating in the negative direction. Organizing all equations in one upper horizontal surface within the right-hand side of the discontinuity,
single matrix leads to namely {𝑦 = ℎ∕2 − 𝑑𝑇 , 𝑥 > 0}, is also fixed. Both types of fixed disconti-
[ + ]( ) ( + ) nuities are addressed by Eq. (31). The difference lies in the type of the
𝚪 𝚲+ 𝐑𝐩 𝐟 possible propagating modes at the right-hand side of the discontinuity.
= , (27)
𝚪− 𝚲− 𝐓𝐩 𝐟− If only the upper vertical wall is fixed, then one should consider integer-
where, the superscripts + and − means that the virtual mode 𝑚 is order modes for 𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑟 (𝑦), whereas if it has fixed boundaries all along
propagating forwards or backwards, respectively. The reflection and the upper horizontal surface, then half-integer order should be used for
transmission coefficients for the incident mode 𝑝 is then obtained by 𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑟 (𝑦).
solving Eq. (27).

3.1. Free discontinuity 3.3. Symmetric discontinuities

Consider, initially, the case in which both S and S are free. In In this subsection it is discussed the particular case of geometrically
this case, Eq. (24) is simplified by Eq. (25a) as follows: symmetrical discontinuities, that is, when 𝑑𝑇 = 𝑑𝐵 = 𝑑∕2. Two
( ) conditions are analysed namely, both halves of the discontinuity are
𝐵 𝐴,𝑙 𝐴,𝑙 𝐵 𝐵 𝐴,𝑟 𝐴,𝑟 𝐵
− 𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑢𝑗 𝑑 + 𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑢𝑗 𝑑 + 𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑢𝑗 − 𝜎𝑥𝑗 𝑢𝑗 𝑑 = 0 , free, and when one half is free and the opposite is fixed.
∬S𝑀 ∬S𝑖 ∬S𝑀
For the former, a quick inspection of Eq. (29) reveals that, since all
(28) integrals have symmetric limits, then Γ± ±
𝑞𝑚 and Λ𝑞𝑚 nullify if mode 𝑚
further applying Eqs. (20) and (21) at 𝑥 = 0 into Eq. (28), dropping and 𝑞 have the opposite symmetry, i.e., 𝑚 is symmetric (even-order)
constants common to all terms and isolating terms that multiply the and 𝑞 is antisymmetric (odd-order) or vice versa. The same holds for
reflected, transmitted and incident modes, yields 𝑓𝑚± with 𝑞 replaced by 𝑝. Therefore, the system in Eq. (27) is completely
[ ] decoupled between symmetric and antisymmetric modes, and thus an
∑ ℎ∕2−𝑑𝑇 ℎ∕2
incident symmetric (resp. antisymmetric) converts only to symmetric
𝑅𝑝𝑞 ±𝜅𝑚 𝜇 𝑙 𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 + 𝜅𝑞 𝜇 𝑙 𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 +
𝑞
∫−ℎ∕2+𝑑𝐵 ∫−ℎ∕2 (resp. antisymmetric) modes. This was verified either numerically [8,9]
[ ]
∑ ℎ∕2−𝑑𝑇 ℎ∕2−𝑑𝑇 or experimentally [17].
𝑇𝑝𝑞 ∓𝜅𝑚 𝜇𝑙 𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑟 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 + 𝜅𝑞 𝜇 𝑟 𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑟 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = For opposite boundary conditions, i.e. free-fixed, the analysis is far
𝑞
∫−ℎ∕2+𝑑𝐵 ∫−ℎ∕2+𝑑𝐵
ℎ∕2−𝑑𝑇 ℎ∕2
more complicated. First of all, if the fixed boundary condition extends
∓ 𝜅𝑚 𝜇 𝑙 𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑈𝑝𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 + 𝜅𝑝 𝜇𝑙 𝑈𝑝𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 , along the right-hand side of the horizontal surface of the discontinu-
∫−ℎ∕2+𝑑𝐵 ∫−ℎ∕2
ity, then transmitted modes are neither symmetric nor antisymmetric.
(29) Observing Eq. (31) with 𝑑𝑇 = 𝑑𝐵 = 𝑑∕2 there is no evident symmetry
relationship that can be drawn. However, the particular case of an end
where the plus–minus symbol, ±, means the sign which has to be
reflection, i.e. 𝑑𝑇 = 𝑑𝐵 = ℎ∕2 is useful for gaining insight about how
taken when the virtual wave at state 𝐵 is propagating forwards, upper
opposite boundary conditions act over a symmetric discontinuity. In
symbol, and backwards, lower symbol. The integrals over S𝑖 and S𝑀
this case, all transmitted coefficients vanish since there is no medium
were replaced by integrals over 𝑦 since the discontinuities are uniform
at the right of the discontinuity and only the forward propagating
along the width dimension, 𝑧, (see Fig. 3).
virtual wave at state B may be considered. Eq. (27) is then simplified
The first bracket in Eq. (29) is Γ± ±
𝑞𝑚 , the second bracket is Λ𝑞𝑚 , and to 𝚪 𝐑𝐩 = 𝐟, where
the right-hand side is 𝑓𝑚± , being, respectively, the entries of the matrices
𝚪± , 𝚲± and the vector 𝐟 ± . Eq. (27) can be then evaluated and the ℎ∕2 0

reflection and transmission coefficients calculated. Γ𝑞𝑚 = 𝜅𝑚 𝜇 𝑙 𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 + 𝜅𝑞 𝜇 𝑙 𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 (32a)
∫0 ∫−ℎ∕2

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A.C. Kubrusly et al. Ultrasonics 112 (2021) 106334

ℎ∕2 0
𝑓𝑚 = −𝜅𝑚 𝜇 𝑙 𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑈𝑝𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 + 𝜅𝑝 𝜇 𝑙 𝑈𝑝𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 .
∫0 ∫−ℎ∕2
(32b)
Note that, if modes 𝑚 and 𝑞 in Eq. (32a) are both symmetric or both
antisymmetric, then the argument of the integrals are even functions of
𝑦 which implies
0 ℎ∕2 ℎ∕2
1
𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 𝑈 𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦.
∫−ℎ∕2 ∫0 2 ∫−ℎ∕2 𝑞
(33)

Due to modes orthogonality, the last term is non-zero only if 𝑚 = 𝑞.

If mode 𝑚 is symmetric and 𝑞 antisymmetric or vice versa, then the
arguments of the integrals are odd functions of 𝑦, consequently
0 ℎ∕2
𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = − 𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 . (34) Fig. 4. Types of discontinuities studied: (i) Non-symmetric, (ii) symmetric with both
∫−ℎ∕2 ∫0 free surfaces, (iii) symmetric with one surface free and only the vertical wall of the
opposite fixed (hatched area), and (iv) symmetric with one surface free and the opposite
Applying Eqs. (33) and (34) into Eq. (32), leads to
fixed (hatched area) all along thinner section. Within the numerical simulation, the
origin is the position were generation occurs and (1) and (2) are receiving positions.
⎧𝜇 𝑙 𝜅𝑞 ∫ ℎ∕2 𝑈𝑞2 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 ,𝑚=𝑞
−ℎ∕2
⎪
Γ𝑞𝑚 = ⎨0 , 𝑚, 𝑞 are both even or odd
⎪ 𝑙 ℎ∕2 𝐴,𝑙 𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 , otherwise,
⎩ 𝜇 (𝜅𝑚 − 𝜅 )
𝑞 0∫ 𝑈 𝑞 (𝑦)𝑈 𝑚 positions were set at the left and right of the discontinuity, represented
by the vertical dotted lines (1) and (2) in Fig. 4, in order to acquire
(35)
reflected and transmitted waves. The material was modelled with shear
wave speed 𝑐𝑇 = 3111 m∕s and plate thickness ℎ = 8 mm.
{ Generation was performed by imposing a force in the 𝑧-direction,
0 , 𝑚, 𝑝 are both even or odd
𝑓𝑚 = modulated in time by an 8-cycle tone burst at 1 MHz, thus, according
ℎ∕2
−𝜇𝑙 (𝜅𝑚 + 𝜅𝑝 ) ∫0 𝑈𝑝𝐴,𝑙 (𝑦)𝑈𝑚𝐵 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 , otherwise, to Eq. (6a), resulting in an adimensional frequency of Ω = 5.14. The
(36) time-modulated force was applied to all nodes along the cross-section
of the mesh, i.e. 𝑦-axis, following the displacement profile given by Eq.
The latter shows that 𝐟 has non-zero entries only corresponding to (14), according to the intended mode to be generated. Since modes’
modes with opposite symmetry to the incident mode 𝑝. This condition profiles form an orthogonal basis [17], this procedure ensures that only
applied to 𝚪 𝐑𝐩 = 𝐟 does not suffice to force the coefficient vector, 𝐑𝐩 , the mode that matches the applied profile is generated even at a high
having non-zero entries uniquely to modes of the opposite symmetry as frequency-thickness.
𝑝, that is, a symmetry inverter discontinuity. Nevertheless, if (𝜅𝑚 −𝜅𝑞 ) → Reception was performed by acquiring the response field along all
0 then 𝚪 is a diagonal matrix, and a symmetry inverter is achieved. Note nodes in the 𝑦-axis at either position (1) or (2). Also due to the modes’
that, the aforementioned condition occurs if Ω → ∞. This proves that a orthogonality, each SH mode 𝑛 that composes the response field in
symmetric full-depth discontinuity with opposite boundary conditions Eq. (20) was extracted by integrating the product of the response field
inverts the symmetry of the incident mode at high-frequency. Partial- with 𝑈𝑛 (𝑦), along the plate’s thickness [20–22], through the following
depth symmetric discontinuities with opposite boundary conditions are projection [17]:
investigated in the next sections.
ℎ∕2
Here, three types of symmetric discontinuities are analysed plus a 1
𝑢𝑛 (𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡)𝑈𝑛 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 , (37)
non-symmetric one. Fig. 4 illustrates them, namely, (i) non-symmetric, 𝐶𝑛 ∫−ℎ∕2
(ii) symmetric, (iii) symmetric with one surface free and only the verti- such that 𝑢𝑛 (𝑥, 𝑡) is the displacement field of mode 𝑛 as a function of
cal wall of the opposite fixed, and (iv) symmetric with one surface free the longitudinal coordinate 𝑥 and time and 𝐶𝑛 is a constant defined by
and the opposite fixed all along the right-hand side of the discontinuity.
Discontinuity type (iii) has a less evident practical meaning. That is, ℎ∕2
when fixedly constraining the discontinuity, the most natural way of 𝐶𝑛 = 𝑈𝑛 (𝑦)𝑈𝑛 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 . (38)
conceiving it, is by type (iv), namely, on the vertical wall and along its ∫−ℎ∕2
extension, rather than somehow restricting the fixed boundary condi- It is worth noticing that Eqs. (37) and (38) hold for the left-hand side of
tion only to the vertical wall, like type (iii). Nevertheless, both types, the discontinuity. At the right-hand side of the discontinuity, one must
(iii) and (iv), are considered here, in order to allow comparison of the change their integration limits to consider the thinner thickness. Also,
effect of integer and half-integer order modes, propagating within the for separating the modes transmitted to discontinuity type (iv), one has
right-hand side of the discontinuity on the reflection and transmission to consider the proper modes’ profile of a free-fixed plate, i.e., 𝑈𝑛 (𝑦) is
coefficients, as shown in the next sections. Recall that either type (iii) given by Eq. (14) with only half-integer order modes being allowed.
or (iv) are solved by Eq. (31), the difference being on which type of After the reflected and transmitted modes were separated, the peak-
modes are considered for 𝑈𝑞𝐴,𝑟 (𝑦) in Eq. (31b). to-peak amplitude of the incident, reflected and transmitted modes
were extracted in order to calculate the reflection and transmission
4. Finite element simulation of SH waves and discontinuities coefficients:
𝐴(1)−
𝑞
Numerical analysis was also performed using a commercial time- 𝑅𝑝𝑞 = , (39a)
domain Finite Element Method (FEM) solver, PZFlex©, which allows 𝐴(1)+
𝑝
simulation of SH waves in a two-dimensional model. The four types of √
𝐴(2)+
𝑞 ℎ−𝑑
discontinuities shown in Fig. 4 were modelled. In all cases, generation 𝑇𝑝𝑞 = , (39b)
was imposed in the origin, at the left of the discontinuities. Receiving 𝐴(1)+
𝑝
ℎ

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A.C. Kubrusly et al. Ultrasonics 112 (2021) 106334

Fig. 5. Reflection coefficients due to the interaction of SH guided wave modes with discontinuities types (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), (a)–(d), respectively. The colourmap represents
the intensity of the reflection coefficient. The numerical values of the reflection coefficients are shown in each cell. Upper and lower triangles represent numerical and analytical
values, respectively.

where 𝐴(1)+
𝑝 , 𝐴𝑞
(1)−
and 𝐴(2)+
𝑞 are the peak-to-peak amplitude of the has the same thickness, but one of the surfaces is fixed. Thus, there is a
incident mode 𝑝, reflected mode 𝑞 and transmitted mode 𝑞, respectively. change on the boundary conditions forcing reflection, as can be seen in
Both incident and reflected waves were acquired at position (1) and Fig. 6(i) to (l). On the other hand, a zero-depth type (iii) discontinuity
were distinguished by their different times of arrival, whereas the means absolutely no change and, therefore, there is no reflected mode
transmitted wave was acquired at position (2). The square root in whatsoever, as is for discontinuity (ii).
Eq. (39b) is included to compensate for the natural amplitude increase Fig. 7 shows the transmission coefficients from discontinuities of
of a wave when it is transmitted into a thinner region of the plate. type (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) for 𝑑∕ℎ = 0.5. Conversion to transmitted
mode SH3 is not shown since it is evanescent at the discontinuity depth.
5. Analytical and numerical results The square root term in the transmission coefficient, see Eq. (39b),
is included in either numerical and analytical coefficients. As it can
The analytical model and numerical simulation were performed to be seen, all modes are possible to be converted in case (i). Case (ii)
investigate the interaction of SH guided wave with discontinuities types shows the same checkerboard patterns as observed with the reflection
(i) to (iv), shown in Fig. 4. In order to work in the high frequency- coefficient. Unlike for the reflection coefficient, cases (iii) and (iv)
thickness regime, the operating adimensional frequency was set to Ω = behave differently, since case (iv) supports only half-integer order
5.14, both for finite element simulation and with the analytical model, modes as transmitted modes. Conversion to higher-order, that is, SH2
so that modes SH0 to SH3 propagate with relatively low dispersion and SH2.5, show lower agreement between numerical and analytical
(see Fig. 2) and thus the amplitude ratio of the simulated model can coefficients. This is because, these modes at half of the plate’s thickness,
be straightly compared with the analytical coefficients. Fig. 5 shows i.e., at Ω = 2.57, are very dispersive, mainly SH2.5, as can be seen in
the reflection coefficients from each kind of discontinuity, where the Fig. 2. Thus, the pulse is significantly spread, altering its amplitude.
discontinuity depth is 𝑑∕ℎ = 0.5 and the SH0 to SH3 modes were used Fig. 8 shows the transmission coefficient as a function of the dis-
as incident modes. Either analytical and numerical results are shown, continuity depth. Discontinuity type (ii) restricts mode conversion pre-
where at each cell, the upper and lower triangles stand for numerical serving symmetry, as happens for the reflection coefficient. Unlike
and analytical values, respectively. for the reflection coefficient, symmetry inversion does not happen for
With discontinuity type (i), a non-symmetric discontinuity, all transmission to discontinuity (iii) and it makes no sense in discontinuity
modes can be converted due to the incidence of any mode. In a (iv) since symmetry classification for transmitted modes does not hold.
symmetric discontinuity, type (ii), the checkerboard pattern in Fig. 5(b)
5.1. Frequency analysis
shows that there is conversion only to modes that share the same
symmetry as the incident one, i.e., from an even (resp. odd) order
As discussed in Section 3.3, a symmetric discontinuity with both
mode, only even (resp. odd) order modes are created, as previously
free surfaces restricts mode conversion, preserving the symmetry of
reported [17]. Fig. 5(c) and (d) show the reflection coefficients for
incident modes, whereas a symmetric discontinuity with opposite free-
discontinuities types (iii) and (iv). Due to the opposite boundary
fixed surfaces tends to reflect modes with the inverse symmetry to the
condition on both surfaces of the plate (fixed and free), discontinuity
incident mode for high-frequencies. This is assessed here with the aid
type (iii) behaves virtually as a symmetry inverter. That is, when
of the analytical model. Fig. 9 shows the reflection coefficient for the
the incident mode is symmetric (resp. antisymmetric), the reflected
first four SH modes for several adimensional frequencies. As it can be
modes are antisymmetric (resp. symmetric), as it can be seen from the
seen, the higher Ω, the more clear the inverse checkerboard pattern is.
reverse checkerboard pattern of Fig. 5(c) and (d). It should be noticed
Further quantitative analysis was carried out by calculating the
that the values of converted modes with the same symmetry as the
same to opposite symmetry ratio (𝑆𝑂𝑆𝑅). This is defined as the sum
incident mode are very low, but are not zero. Also, reflection from
of the squared reflection coefficients of modes with the same symmetry
discontinuities (iii) and (iv) are quite similar. In all cases, numerical
as the incident one per the sum of the squared reflection coefficients of
and analytical results show very good agreement.
modes with opposite symmetry as the incident one:
The reflection coefficients as a function of the discontinuity depth ∑
𝑝,𝑞 even |𝑅𝑝𝑞 |
2
for discontinuities (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) are shown in Fig. 6(a) to (d), ∪
𝑝,𝑞 odd
(e) to (h), (i) to (l) and (m) to (p), respectively. As it can be seen, 𝑆𝑂𝑆𝑅 = ∑ . (40)
from discontinuity (i) both symmetric and antisymmetric modes are 𝑝 even, 𝑞 odd |𝑅𝑝𝑞 |2
∪
converted, whereas with discontinuity type (ii), mode symmetry is 𝑝 odd, 𝑞 even

preserved for any defect depth. Discontinuities with free-fixed surfaces, 𝑆𝑂𝑆𝑅 as a function of Ω is shown in Fig. 10 for a half-thickness
(iii) and (iv), strongly reflect modes with opposite symmetry, showing and full-thickness discontinuities. As it can be seen, the higher the
low-amplitude, same-symmetry modes for all depths. Interestingly, dis- frequency, the lower 𝑆𝑂𝑆𝑅. Therefore, further confirming that a sym-
continuity (iii) and (iv) show very similar behaviour, except for very metric discontinuity with opposite free-fixed boundary conditions be-
shallow discontinuities. This happens because, a zero-depth disconti- haves as a symmetry inverter discontinuity at high-frequency even from
nuity of type (iv) means that at the right of the discontinuity the plate non-full depth discontinuities.

6
A.C. Kubrusly et al. Ultrasonics 112 (2021) 106334

Fig. 6. Analytically calculated reflection coefficients as a function of the discontinuity depth for discontinuities types (i), (a)–(d), (ii), (e)–(h), (iii), (i)–(l), and (iv), (m)–(p).

Fig. 7. Transmission coefficients due to the interaction of SH guided wave modes with discontinuities types (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), (a)–(d), respectively. The colourmap represents
the intensity of the reflection coefficient. The numerical values of the reflection coefficients are shown in each cell. Upper and lower triangles represent numerical and analytical
values, respectively.

6. Experimental validation discontinuity, a steel plate was used to fill all the machined depth.
Considering the nominal density and transverse wave speed of acrylic
6.1. Experimental setup as 𝜌 = 1180 kg∕m3 and 𝑐𝑇 = 1373 m∕s, and of steel as 7800 kg/m3 and
3200 m∕s, the respective shear acoustic impedances are 𝑍 = 1.62 MRayl
and 𝑍𝑑 = 25.0 MRayl, thus 15.4 times higher than acrylic and enough
It has been shown previously [18] that a fixed boundary condition
to efficiently emulate a fixed boundary condition [18].
can be effectively approximated by an interface with a high acous-
tic impedance material. Accordingly, an experimental setup has been The acrylic samples are 8 mm thick and 250 mm wide and long
designed to verify mode conversion with symmetry inversion. Acrylic enough so that end reflections do not affect measurements. Wall thin-
plates were used in which symmetric discontinuities were machined. ning was machined into two samples with 𝑑𝑇 = 𝑑𝐵 = 2 mm, across the
In order to simulate a fixed boundary condition on the symmetric width of the sample. One sample was left with two machined surfaces

7
A.C. Kubrusly et al. Ultrasonics 112 (2021) 106334

Fig. 8. Analytically calculated transmission coefficients due to the interaction of SH guided wave modes with discontinuities types (i), (a)–(d), (ii), (e)–(h), (iii), (i)–(l), and (iv),
(m)–(p). Crosses mean that the mode is evanescent at the discontinuity thickness.

Fig. 9. Reflection coefficients from discontinuities types (iv) with 𝑑∕ℎ = 0.5 at Ω equal to 3.1 (a), 3.6 (b), 5.1 (c) and 10.3 (d) obtained with analytic model.

free, creating discontinuity type (ii) shown in Fig. 4(ii). In order to position is at 𝑥 = 100 mm, being the origin defined at the position of the
make a free-fixed discontinuity, type (iv), a 2 mm thick steel plate was generating transducer. Receiving position is at 𝑥 = −172 mm, at the left
prepared to fit one of the sides of the discontinuity void space. To of the transmitter and discontinuity. Since EMATs generate waves that
ensure proper coupling, the steel plate was bonded with cyanoacrylate propagate both forwards and backwards, this position allows reception
adhesive. of both incident and reflected waves. The excitation pulse was set to
an 8 cycle tone burst at 137.3 kHz, the optimum operating frequency
SH waves were generated and received using Periodic Permanent for generating the SH0 mode at 10 mm wavelength, considering the
Magnet (PPM) Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers (EMAT) from transverse wave speed of acrylic. This frequency corresponds to Ω =
Sonemat Ltd with 10 mm nominal wavelength and 3 cycles of magnets. 1.6, then 1 < Ω < 2 allowing mode conversion to the propagating
Thin aluminium foil self-adhesive tapes were applied at the gener- SH1 mode (see Fig. 2). Fig. 11(a) shows the dimensional phase
ating and receiving positions to allow EMATs to generate and re- speed dispersion curves for an 8 mm thick acrylic plate. The nominal
ceive ultrasonic waves on a non-metallic sample. A RITEC® RPR-4000 transducer wavelength line is shown by a dashed line, where one can
Pulser/Receiver was used to generate and receive the signals from see that it crosses the SH0 mode dispersion curve at the operating
PPM EMATs. The received signal was acquired by an oscilloscope that frequency. The spatial distribution of the EMAT and the exciting pulse
was connected to a PC to automate data acquisition. The discontinuity

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A.C. Kubrusly et al. Ultrasonics 112 (2021) 106334

Additional FEM simulations were performed to allow comparison

with experimental signals. In this case, excitation was modelled dif-
ferently than in the previous section, since it aims to approximately
reproduce the experimental setup and the effect of the transducer.
Therefore, generation was performed by imposing a 3 cycle spatial force
distribution function with a period of 10 mm, similar to the spatial
profile of the PPM EMAT, on the surface nodes of the model, using
a time history that was the same as the excitation current used in
the experiment. This approach mimics the signal generated by a PPM
EMAT without the need of including the EMAT coupling mechanism in
the model, as validated previously elsewhere [6,17,23–25]. Similar to
the experimental setup, numerical signals were mode-separated using
Fig. 10. Same to opposite symmetry ratio, SOSR, of converted modes from discontinu- the dual transduction procedure [23]. In order to consider the effect
ities types (iii) and (iv) as a function of frequency. Types (iii) at 𝑑∕ℎ = 0.5, dot markers
of the finite-size receiver, the numerical response field was further
and black lines, types (iv) at 𝑑∕ℎ = 0.5, dot markers and grey lines, and 𝑑∕ℎ = 1, cross
markers. convolved with a 3 cycle spatial tone burst with 10 mm period, to
simulate the effect of the receiving transducer spatial profile on the
acquired signals [6,17].
It is worth highlighting that the acrylic material imposes a much
higher attenuation than is usually found in metals. This requires extra
attention when conducting the experiment, since the amplitude of
the received signal considerably reduces as the propagation distance
increases. In order to overcome this, higher gain had to be used for
detecting the reflected echoes, whose propagating paths were longer.
Besides, in order to calculate meaningful values for the reflection
coefficients obtained in experiments and fairly compare them with
numerical ones in which damping was not included, attenuation has
to be compensated for in the experimental signals. This was performed
by experimentally calculating the amplitude decay rate per propagated
length measured at several positions in a non-machined plate. This
attenuation coefficient is then used to post-compensate the amplitude
of the experimental signals, considering the whole propagated distance
at the receiving point. This procedure has been previously validated
elsewhere [6,17].

6.2. Experimental results

Fig. 12(a) and (c) show the experimental and numerical received
signals, respectively, for symmetric and antisymmetric modes when
interacting with the symmetric discontinuity with both free surfaces,
type (ii). Amplitude was normalized with respect to the received ex-
perimental direct pulse. The signal at around 150 μs corresponds to
the generated pulse and the signals around 300 μs to the reflected
wave from the discontinuity. As can be seen, there is a low-amplitude
antisymmetric component around the generating signal, due to the
inherent imprecision of the experimental mode selectivity procedure,
which is higher for selecting modes with opposite symmetry to the
generated one [23], and is also possibly due to slight differences in
the boundaries where the aluminium tape was applied in both plate’s
Fig. 11. Experimental operating region (a) and setup (b). In (a), the phase speed
dispersion curves of an 8 mm acrylic plate are shown together with the transducer surfaces. The experimental reflected wave around 300 μs has a much
nominal wavelength, dashed line, and operating region, behind the curves. In (b), the lower amplitude than the numerically generated reflected wave re-
signal inside the illustrative pulser/receiver display is the driving current of 8 cycle sult, due to the aforementioned high attenuation of acrylic. In order
tone-burst at 137.3 kHz.
to obtain a higher signal level for the reflected mode, signals were
reacquired with 20 dB more receiver gain, shown in Fig. 12(b), whilst
numerical signals, Fig. 12(d), were normalized with respect to the ex-
define the transducer operating region [6,17]. The operating region perimental reflected pulse, so both show the same amplitude. It is worth
is also shown in Fig. 11(a), where one can see that it is centred at noticing that this normalization is merely a graphical representation
the SH0 mode dispersion curve, but is wide enough so it intersects for easing comparison of the signals’ shape; quantitative evaluation
the SH1 mode. Thus, the reflected SH1 mode due to mode conversion of the reflection magnitude was assessed by calculating the reflection
can also be detected. In order to ensure single-mode generation and coefficients, reported at the end of the section. As it can be seen, the
separation of the converted modes in reception, the dual excitation and symmetric discontinuity with both free boundary conditions produces
reception on the upper and lower surfaces was adopted, following the uniquely symmetric reflected modes, due to the incident SH0 mode, as
procedure described in [23]. Fig. 11(b) shows the experimental setup. observed previously [17]. One can notice, however, a low-amplitude
This procedure ensures that symmetric and antisymmetric modes are antisymmetric experimental signal due to mode separation imprecision
separated. Since at the operating region there exist only the SH0 and and possibly, non-perfect symmetric machining.
SH1 modes, separation between symmetric and antisymmetric modes Fig. 13 shows the corresponding signals due to the interaction with
equals separation between these two SH modes. symmetric discontinuity with opposite boundary condition. One can

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A.C. Kubrusly et al. Ultrasonics 112 (2021) 106334

Fig. 13. Experimental (a) and (b) and numerical (c) and (d) signals obtained due to the
Fig. 12. Experimental (a) and (b) and numerical (c) and (d) signals obtained due to reflection of an incident SH0 mode at a symmetric discontinuity with opposite free and
the reflection of an incident SH0 mode at a symmetric discontinuity with both free fixed boundary conditions, type (iv). Generated SH0 mode and reflected SH0 and SH1
surfaces, type (ii). Generated SH0 mode and reflected SH0 and SH1 modes, (a) and modes, (a) and (c), normalized per incident wave. Detail of normalized reflected SH0
(c), normalized per incident wave. Detail of normalized reflected SH0 and SH1 modes and SH1 modes acquired with 20 dB more gain, (b), and numerical signal normalized
acquired with 20 dB more gain, (b), and numerical signal normalized with respect to with respect to experimental one, (d).
experimental one, (d).

Table 1
Experimental and numerical reflection coefficient due to the interaction of the SH0
was devised based on the reciprocity principle. The model is able
with symmetric discontinuities types (ii) and (iv). to solve discontinuities placed on one or both surfaces of the plate,
Disc. type (ii) (iv) being each side either free or fixed. It was used to investigate the
Conv. mode SH0 SH1 SH0 SH1 interaction of guided SH wave modes with non-symmetric, symmetric
and symmetric with opposite free-fixed boundary conditions, whose
Exp. 0.426 0.084 0.077 0.573
Sim. 0.442 0.000 0.053 0.675 results agreed with numerical finite element analysis.
A symmetric discontinuity with the same boundary conditions on
both surfaces restricts mode-conversion, preserving the incident mode
symmetry, whereas it has been proved, for the first time, that when the
clearly see that the behaviour of the reflected pulse is the opposite, boundary conditions are opposite it virtually restricts mode-conversion
i.e., the SH1 reflected mode is much more intense than the reflected to modes with opposite symmetry as the incident one, behaving as
SH0 mode. Experimental and numerical signals present a slight dif- a symmetry inverter discontinuity. This phenomenon depends on the
ference in their shapes. Some factors may contribute to it, such as, frequency of the incident SH wave; the higher the frequency, the more
the wavelength shift of mode-converted modes [7], which do not effective symmetry inversion is. Similar reflection coefficients occur
match the transducer nominal wavelength. As shown in Fig. 11(a), whether the fixed discontinuity is modelled only at its vertical wall or
at the operating frequency the SH1 mode does not cross the nominal is completely fixed all along the discontinuity length.
wavelength line. This can cause some distortion on the mode-converted The symmetry inversion phenomenon was experimentally verified
signal [23]. Others possible factors are imprecise transducer position- by bonding a steel layer as a high acoustic impedance material in an
ing on both surfaces of the plate, or differences in the adhesively acrylic plate which was symmetrically machined.
bonded aluminium foil on both surfaces, which introduces higher errors
when separating converted modes from non-converted modes [23]; and
also the effect of material attenuation, which introduces a frequency- Declaration of competing interest
dependent amplitude reduction factor for the travelling waves, being
an additional source for pulse distortion. Nevertheless, good agreement The authors declare that they have no known competing finan-
between simulation and experiment was achieved and the symmetry cial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to
inversion behaviour was effectively observed experimentally. influence the work reported in this paper.
Experimental reflection coefficients for converted and non-
converted modes were calculated following Eq. (39a), in which the Acknowledgements
peak-to-peak amplitudes were prior compensated for attenuation, as
explained above. The reflection coefficient is shown in Table 1 for This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aper-
experimental and corresponding numerical signals. As it can be seen, feiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance
the symmetry inversion when interacting with a symmetric discon- Code 001, and by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and
tinuity with opposite boundary condition is experimentally proved. Technological Development, CNPq. The authors thank Marcio Coelho
Good agreement between experimental and numerical coefficients was for technical support.
obtained.

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