Safe dispersion: a graphical user interface for modelling guided wave propagation in elastic solids

This paper presents a graphical user interface (GUI) for modeling ultrasonic guided wave propagation in elastic solids. The software exploits the semi-analytical finite element (SAFE) method for the calculation of wave-propagation characteristics. The interface allows for the modeling of piezoelectric effects in plate-like and arbitrary cross-sectional waveguides. The isotropic and anisotropic materials with damping effects are also considered. For anisotropic composite material cases, directivity plots can be extracted, containing the phase-velocities, group velocities, and slowness curves. The frequency-dependent mode shapes can also be obtained, including displacement, strain, stress, and other electric components for piezoelectric materials. The corresponding mode shapes for arbitrary cross-sectional waveguides are presented in the form of vivid animations, demonstrating the cross-sectional harmonic motions. All the computational outcomes are compared with commercial finite element (FE) codes via the Bloch-Floquet boundary conditions. The paper finishes with discussion, concluding remarks, and suggestions for future work.