Session: 17-01-01: Research Posters

Paper Number: 149707

149707 - Ultrasonic Guided Wave-Based Damage Detection and Imaging for Composite Storage Tanks 

Storage tanks, widely used for containing hazardous or high-pressure gases, are susceptible to damage due to factors like corrosion, cyclic inflations, and external impacts. The failure to promptly and accurately detect such damage can lead to catastrophic events, including leaks, explosions, and environmental contamination, posing severe risks to public health and safety. Moreover, timely detection plays a crucial role in maintaining the operational efficiency of storage facilities, avoiding costly downtime and ensuring compliance with strict safety regulations. Therefore, the detection of damage in storage tanks holds paramount importance in the realm of industrial safety and environmental conservation. Thus, this paper proposes the advancement of damage detection technology, utilizing the guided waves by detecting the variation of ultrasonic features for different damage conditions.

By carrying out an in-depth theoretical analysis via Finite Element Modeling (FEM), the sensitivity of the probing ultrasonic wave characteristics is studied systematically. The effective generation of guided wave modes is investigated, where the pure wave mode excitation is accomplished through a tuning procedure. To realize the damage localization, a three-dimensional numerical model is established by considering random defects placed on the surface. Two arrays of active sensors are placed on the tank, in order to record and evaluate the signal amplitude variation, while the propagating waves are travelling along the composite structure. Consequently, via the comprehensive consideration of transducer dimensions, center frequency, and propagating wave modes, the most effective damage detection setup is achieved and the sensing signals are recorded by the piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS). Simulation results show that significant features such as the variation of the signal amplitude are fully captured, which are related to the presence of the damage along the wave path. Additionally, the Time of Flight (TOF) of sensing signals could further provide indicative information for localizing the particular defect on the tank. By changing the size, location, and quantities of defects, the feasibility and accuracy of this damage detection method is verified through the numerical analysis. The characteristic features extracted from multiple received signals are combined to reconstruct a color map of the damage condition on the storage tank. Finally, based on the quantification algorithm, damage can be imaged, utilizing crossing propagation paths of guided waves. The findings of this research possess superb application potential for the damage detection in composite tanks for enhancing the safety of storage systems. This paper finishes with summary, concluding remarks, and suggestions for future work.

Presenting Author: Houfu Jiang Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Presenting Author Biography: Houfu Jiang is currently a PhD candidate in Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His research interest is structural health monitoring of composite materials utilizing linear and nonlinear ultrasonics.

Authors:

Houfu Jiang Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Yanfeng Shen Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Yegao Qu Shanghai Jiao Tong University