characteristics is by the use of dispersion curves based on the plate
mode phase velocity as a function of the product of frequency time
thickness. Rayleigh waves are a type of surface wave that travel
near the surface of solids. In homogeneous solids, Rayleigh waves
show no dispersion but if a solid has sound velocity that varies
with depth these waves become dispersive. In plates, Lamb identified
two families of wave modes. In the first family, the motion is
symmetrical about median plane of the plate and in the second
family it is asymmetrical. The parent members of these families
are called the S0 and A0 modes respectively. The S0 mode often
called the extensional mode and the A0 mode called as flexural
mode. At frequency ranges up to 500 kHz for 3 mm thickness, the
S0 mode will travel faster than A0 mode so S0 mode will reach
the sensors a little earlier. At frequency range upper than
500 kHz, the A0 mode can travel faster and has important role in
source locating. Other members of the two families of Lamb wave
(A1, S1, etc.) can travel faster than both the A0 and S0 modes, but
their amplitudes tend to be low and they are relatively unimportant.
We used four sensors for AE source locating therefore in cases
where limited access is possible to structure monitoring, this algorithm
is not feasible. On the other hand in practical applications,
the level of noises is high. In long source-to-sensor distances the
effects of noises will be impressive and the sound attenuation will
be sever. These noises affect the accuracy of this algorithm in AE
source locating. But we can reduce the effects of noises by some
signal processing. The acoustic signals can be analyzed into high
and low frequencies by wavelet transform and the noises will be
omitted by filtering. In short source-to-sensor distances, different
modes can be excited and the acoustic energy concentrates in different
frequency range.