Study of linear wave motions using FFT and its potential application to non-destructive testing

Abstract The dispersive characteristics of longitudinal, flexural and surface waves in beams, plates and thick blocks are constructed by applying the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to the measured transient waves. The so-constructed dispersion curves of various types of waves are in good agreement with the analytical predictions. An iterative method for estimating the material properties of the medium using the dispersive characteristics of the waves is also developed. The method provides a reasonable estimation on the properties of the medium.