Numerical and experimental investigation of wave propagation in rod-systems with cracks

In this study the possibility of continuously monitoring load carrying cables in bridges is considered A sending/receiving transducer is used to generate an ultrasonic longitudinal elastic wave through the cable The interaction between the L(0 1)-wave and vertical cracks in a single rod is investigated using the Waveguide-FE-Method to predict the reflection and transmission coefficients Moreover this work analyzes how the elastic energy of a propagating wave is distributed between adjacent rods via friction An energy-based model is developed to approximate the coupling behavior in a two rod system Finally the numerical predictions are verified by experimental data (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved