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The purpose of this paper is to discuss the application of THz spectroscopy for the inspection and evaluation of the internal structure of complex samples with honeycomb fillers.

Three complex samples with honeycomb fillers are investigated using THz spectrometer in order to determine the applicability of chosen non-destructive method for the analysis of internal structure of structural components. The first analysed sample has aluminium honeycomb filler with some cells filled with water. The aim of the analysis is to distinguish empty and full cells. The other two sandwich samples are made of different non-metallic components and for them the possibility of THz spectroscopy application is analysed.

The empty and full cells in metal honeycomb filler were easily distinguished due to different absorption coefficients of electromagnetic waves in THz range for air and water. It was especially visible for frequency domain. The THz spectroscopy was able to inspect the non-metallic samples internal structures and distinguish skins (with layers), honeycomb fillers and adhesive layers between them. It was also possible to detect, localise and determine the size of a local damage of honeycomb walls due to impact influence.

The present study is an original research work. There are very limited literature papers which present analyses of internal structures of sandwich elements using THz spectroscopy and investigate utility of the method for mechanical damage and contamination (water) detection and localisation.

The purpose of this paper is to study the damage induced in “green” and synthetic composites under impact loading.

The study was focussed on epoxy-based composites reinforced with woven hemp or glass fibres. Six assessment techniques were employed in order to analyse and compare impact damages: eye observation, back face relief, terahertz spectroscopy, laser vibrometry, x-ray micro-tomography and microscopic observations.

Different damage detection thresholds for each material and technique were obtained. Damage induced by mechanical and laser impacts showed relevant differences, but the damage mechanisms are similar in both types of impact: matrix cracks, fibre failure, debonding at the fibres/matrix interface and delamination. Damage shape on back surfaces is similar after mechanical or laser impacts, but differences were detected inside samples.

The combination of these six diagnoses provides complementary information on the damage induced by mechanical or laser impacts in the studied green and synthetic composites.

The purpose of this paper is to study if it is possible applying infrared thermography (both vibro and pulsed) to detect and localise material discontinuities as well as to find the place where the inclusion was introduced.

The experimental investigation is performed on samples manufactured during infusion process. The measurements were performed on three four-layered rectangular composite samples with discontinuities. The discontinuities introduced in the samples were as follow: all three samples between first and second layer counting form the bottom two optical fibres (OFs) were embedded and additionally: sample no. 1 – one of the OF was broken, sample no. 2 – the drop of water was introduced, and sample no. 3 – the little amount of dust was introduced.

For some discontinuities, the vibrothermography is excellent tool (placement of broken OF, drop of water), for same is not sufficient (healthy OFs or dust). For dust, the pulsed thermography seems to be the required tool. Different approaches (vibrothermography and pulsed thermography) for the same sample will confirm that for same defects vibrothermograpy is better and for some pulsed thermography – complex combination of different thermography approaches is needed to have complex response about sample structural condition.

The presented paper is an original research work. There are very limited literature papers applying both vibro and pulsed thermography for one problem. The assessment of different discontinuities (inclusions) and detailed analysis is presented.

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of experimental analysis of the elastic-guided wave mode conversion phenomenon in glass fiber-reinforced polymers. The results of this research presented in this paper are strictly focused on S0/A0’ mode conversion phenomenon caused by discontinuities in the form of circular Teflon inserts (artificial delaminations) and impact damage. Results of this research could be useful in problems of damage detection and localization.

In the research, guided waves are excited using a piezoelectric transducer and sensed in a non-contact manner using a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. Full wavefield measurements are analyzed. Analysis of the influence of investigated discontinuities on S0/A0’ mode conversion is based on the elastic wave mode filtration in frequency-wavenumber domain. Mode filtration process allows us to remove the effects of the propagation of unwanted type of mode in forward or backward direction. Effects of S0/A0’ mode conversion are characterized by a mode conversion indicator (MCI) based on the amplitude of new mode A0’ and the amplitude of incident S0 mode.

It was noticed that the magnitude of MCI depends on the depth at which the Teflon inserts were located for all analyzed excitation frequencies and diameters of inserts (10 and 20 mm). The magnitude of MCI also increases with increasing impact energies. The S0/A0’ mode conversion phenomenon could be utilized for the detection of surface and internal located discontinuities.

This paper presents the original results of this research related to the influence of discontinuity location with respect to the sample thickness and severity of discontinuity on S0/A0’ mode conversion.