Finite element modelling of ultrasonic non-destructive testing

Abstract

Engineering modelling softwares are a commonplace feature in many offices in the world today. Apart from designing, many of them are also used for computation and simulation purposes. For the aviation industry, safety is a major concern. With planes beingused to their maximum potential, aircraft material easily suffers from wear and tear. There is thus a need to be able to detect early signs of fatigue or defects that, left unchecked, might lead to serious consequences.Non-destructive Testing (NDT) is thus an important part of the aviation industry. As plane manufacturers are switching to use more composite materials in their product, NDT must be able to keep up with the times. Modern NDT combines the capabilities of modelling software and Finite ElementMethods (FEM) with modern day materials to come up with better ways to detect defects and hopefully ensure that flying remains safe. Modern day material poses new challenges to NDT. This report aims to show that FEM and modelling software are able to simulate accurately a possible real defect on a common modern material Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP). Extensive literature review was done and the process and results of the project have been documented here to the author’s best ability.