ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an exact method of solution as well as a semi-analytic finite element (SAFE) method is developed. It shows that there is excellent agreement between model solutions by the SAFE method and the exact solutions. The chapter presents comparison of experimental observations for a particular case of a periodic layered plate with the model calculations using the SAFE method illustrates the utility of the method in material characterization. It deals with simplified approximate plate theories for flexural and longitudinal wave propagation in a thin orthotropic plate. The chapter examines Waves generated in composite plates by an external force and explores the effect of thin interface layers on guided wave dispersion. In many applications of guided wave nondestructive evaluation, the thickness of the plate is much smaller than the wavelengths of propagating waves used in interrogating the medium. Numerical results are presented for a cross-ply graphite-fiber-reinforced epoxy plate.
