Session: 21-01: Poster Session

Paper Number: 98306

98306 - Sensitivity Analysis of a Finite Element Model of Ultrasonic Wave Propagation to Variations in the Representative Volume Element 

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are desirable for their resistance to extreme environmental conditions including high temperatures, corrosion, and radiation. Growing interest in areas such as hypersonics and nuclear energy systems has increased the need for efficient evaluation methods, including between steps of the CMC manufacturing process. Ultrasound nondestructive evaluation could be conducted between densification cycles to monitor porosity and other defects, but ultrasound of CMCs is challenging due to the constituents having different mechanical properties. However, prior work has been successful in modeling the behavior of CMCs under different loading and thermal conditions by using micromechanics-based methods, such as the Eshelby equivalent inclusion method and variations on the double-inclusion method, to homogenize the composite models and predict effective elastic properties. This work seeks to apply similar methods to develop a finite element model of ultrasonic wave propagation through a high-temperature ceramic matrix composite representative volume element. This study presents a sensitivity analysis of a finite element model of wave propagation to different boundary conditions and variations in the representative volume element. The size and shape of the RVE are considered, as well as variables including the pore size and porosity density. The Eshelby equivalent inclusion method is employed as the homogenization strategy.

Presenting Author: Emmeline Evans Georgia Institute of Technology