Numerical Simulation and Visualization Models of Stress Wave Propagation Graphite/Epoxy Composites

摘要

Within the last ten years there has been a renewed interest in simulation of stress wave propagation because of the availability of fast supercomputers with large memory capabilities [1,2,3]. Only recently have a few investigators [4,5] applied these simulations to problems where elastic anisotropy was included as a major factor. The massive output of results from these simulations, together with the added complexity of coupled phenomena that uniquely exist for a given anisotropy, defies intuition. To grasp the significance of these simulations requires scientific visualization [6] of these complex physical phenomena. Such visualizations often require a movie format to better understand the physics of particular problems [7]. In this study we simulated the experimental measurement of a shift in the quasi-transverse bulk wave propagation in an off-axis unidirectional graphite/epoxy composite in plane strain [8]. The purpose of the simulation was to aid the nondestructive evaluation engineer in designing an acoustic array to improve the measurement of the shift in the QT wave propagation direction [9]. Previously a finite element model [5] was used to simulate this measurement. In this study we demonstrate the advantages of using a finite difference model to simulate this experiment and, with special visual aids, observe the physics.