Wave propagation in thin Plexiglas plates: Implications for Rayleigh waves

Two-dimensional (2D) experimental models are often used to study wave propagation problems. The advantages of using 2D experimental models, as opposed to 3D models, is the reduction of both extraneous reflections and mathematical complexity. Further, many structural elements conform to this geometry. The following study examines Rayleigh wave motion in thin Plexiglas sheets. Source-receiver time domain measurements were made at different locations on the Plexiglas sheet. The time-distance space was 2D-Fourier transformed into the frequency-wavenumber space to facilitate the analysis of wave modes propagating in the Plexiglas sheet. Experimental results showed that fundamental symmetric (S₀) and antisymmetric (A₀) Lamb waves propagated through the plate. Along the thickness of the plate, a non-dispersive Rayleigh wave was generated. Lamb waves were found to interfere with the Rayleigh wave. The assumption of generalized plane stress is preserved if higher mode Lamb waves have low energy content.