Nonlinear crack-wave interaction in shear horizontal wave propagation - numerical modelling of local elastic and dissipative effects

Various classical and non-classical nonlinear effects have been observed in ultrasonic wave propagation and used for contact-type damage detection. The former relates to higher harmonic generation, whereas the latter is based nonlinear vibro-acoustic modulations effects. More recently both nonlinear effects have been observed in shear horizontal wave propagation. However, the nonlinear crack-wave interaction is still not fully understood. It is assumed that this interaction is enhanced by local nonlinear elasticity and dissipation of elastic waves. The latter effect is the major focus of the paper. Previous experimental research studies demonstrate that high-frequency ultrasonic waves propagation through crack faces that are in contact - and perturbed by low-frequency excitation - exhibit local nonlinear effects of elastic and dissipative nature. The amplitude level of these effects depends on applied stresses. Both nonlinear effects have a great potential for structural damage detection. However, more theoretical and modelling research work is needed to fully understand these non-classical nonlinear effects. Numerical simulations based on nonlinear crack-wave interaction are investigated in the paper. Three models of local nonlinearity are investigated. These are: the Coulomb friction, the nonlinear viscous damping and the hysteretic stress-strain models. Nonlinear wavefield distortions - due to crack-wave interactions - are observed and analyzed. Numerical simulations are performed using the Local Interaction Simulation Approach (LISA), implemented for shear horizontal wave propagation. Wave amplitudes corresponding to generated higher harmonics and modulated sidebands are investigated in the presented work.