Comparative modeling of composite defects using thermographic techniques: SGUF vs. COMSOL

Abstract Composite materials are widely used in various industries due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent mechanical properties. However, defects within these materials can significantly compromise their structural load-carrying capability. Non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, particularly thermography, have emerged as valuable tools for identifying defects in composite materials without impact on their integrity. This study compares the high-order plate modeling approach referred to as sublaminate generalized unified formulation (SGUF) and the commercial general purpose COMSOL Multiphysics software to simulate the thermal transient response in defected composite laminates. Both models are validated using experimental data at different thermal excitation frequencies. The SGUF provides a detailed layer-wise analysis, effectively capturing the thermal response of defects. A comparative assessment is proposed based on qualitative and quantitative measures of accuracy in defect detection, computational efficiency, and ease of implementation. In terms of computational efficiency, SGUF offers faster computations for certain analyses, whereas COMSOL, despite being more computationally intensive, provides a streamlined workflow for complex simulations. These approaches are based on the accuracy of defect detection, computational efficiency, and ease of use and guide the selection of appropriate tools for the inspection of composite materials.