Propagation of Lamb waves in a metal plate with an abrupt change in thickness using Peridynamics and laser Doppler velocimetry

Plate-like structures can be characterized by a variety of abrupt geometric changes affecting the Lamb wave propagation, similarly to damage occurring in service. Therefore, a deep knowledge of phenomena involved in the interaction between guide waves and discontinuities is required. For this purpose, an experimental investigation is carried out considering an isotropic plate where an abrupt thickness change is present. The fundamental modes excitation is operated by a piezoelectric transducer while the signal sensing in multiple locations, also across the discontinuity, is performed by a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. The investigation reveals mode conversion and highlights how the effects on the wave propagation depend upon the discontinuity geometrical characteristics. A peridynamics-based model representing the examined problem is also defined and its effectiveness to simulate the observed phenomena is proven.