# Optimized Design of the Basic Structure of Dry-Coupled Shear Wave Probe for Ultrasonic Testing of Rock and Concrete

## TL;DR

This paper presents an optimized design for a dry-coupled shear wave probe used in ultrasonic testing of rock and concrete materials.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a novel optimized design of a dry-coupled shear wave probe using theoretical and numerical methods.

## Key findings

- The optimized probe models effectively excite wave fields as shown by simulation results.
- The dry coupling method's acoustic energy distribution was studied under various structures.
- Measured admittance values closely matched the simulated results.

## Abstract

Although shear horizontal waves have advantages over longitudinal waves, including a higher resolution, less wave mode conversion, and much better reflection coefficients at void and crack interfaces in nondestructive detection, they require good contact surface flatness and efficient coupling agents. In this paper, we analyze and design the basic components of the dry-coupled ultrasonic shear wave probe through theoretical analyses and numerical simulations. The admittance characteristics, resonant frequency, and electromechanical coupling coefficients of the double-laminated vibrator under different size parameters in both 2D and 3D models are simulated, and the probe structures are optimized based on the simulation results and operational requirements. The simulation results of the wave field excited by the double-laminated vibrator show the effectiveness of the optimized probe models. Additionally, the dry coupling method of the probe is simulated to study the acoustic energy distribution under various dry-coupled structures. Finally, we compare the measured admittance with the simulated values, and they are in good agreement.