Nondestructive Evaluation of Elastic Properties in Irregularly Shaped Thin-Walled Solid Structures

Abstract This study presents a nondestructive method for accurately estimating the elastic properties of isotropic, homogeneous, thin-walled solid materials with irregular geometries. The proposed approach integrates experimentally measured natural frequencies with finite element modal analysis to determine dynamic material properties such as Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio. Unlike conventional methods, which often require regular sample geometries, this technique focuses on evaluating arbitrarily shaped samples. A simple mechanical impulse induces vibrations, which are recorded using accessible tools such as cell phones, eliminating the need for expensive equipment. The method’s effectiveness was validated on three irregularly shaped aluminum samples, including two plates and a cylindrical tube. The acquired results showed excellent agreement with reference values, with deviations in ± 1% for Young’s modulus and ± 2% for Poisson’s ratio. The study demonstrates the method’s precision, flexibility, and cost-efficiency, making it a practical advancement in the nondestructive evaluation of elastic properties. The proposed method is particularly useful for cases that challenge conventional methods, such as materials having complex geometries, projects with limited budgets, and tasks without access to the advanced equipment required by conventional methods.