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Elastic waves used in Structural Health Monitoring systems have strongly dispersive character. Therefore it is necessary to determine the appropriate dispersion curves in order to proper interpretation of a received dynamic response of an analyzed structure. The shape of dispersion curves as well as number of wave modes depends on mechanical properties of layers and frequency of an excited signal. In the current work, the relatively new approach is utilized, namely stiffness matrix method. In contrast to transfer matrix method or global matrix method, this algorithm is considered as numerically unconditionally stable and as effective as transfer matrix approach. However, it will be demonstrated that in the case of hybrid composites, where mechanical properties of particular layers differ significantly, obtaining results could be difficult. The theoretical relationships are presented for the composite plate of arbitrary stacking sequence and arbitrary direction of elastic waves propagation. As a numerical example, the dispersion curves are estimated for the lamina, which is made of carbon fibers and epoxy resin. It is assumed that elastic waves travel in the parallel, perpendicular and arbitrary direction to the fibers in lamina. Next, the dispersion curves are determined for the following laminate [0°, 90°, 0°, 90°, 0°, 90°, 0°, 90°] and hybrid [Al, 90°, 0°, 90°, 0°, 90°, 0°], where Al is the aluminum alloy PA38 and the rest of layers are made of carbon fibers and epoxy resin.

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Nowadays multi-layered composite material is very often applied in different kind of structures, like aircrafts, boats or vehicles. Parts of structures, which are made of these materials, are significantly lighter in comparison with traditional materials, like aluminum or steel alloys. On the other hand, the process of damage creation and evolution in the case of composites is much more complex. Moreover, the damages, which are characteristic for multi-layered materials (matrix cracking, fibre breakage, delaminations), are very difficult to detect at early stage of creation. Hence, there is a need to develop the advanced methods to detect them without destroying tested composite element. One of them is based on analysis of elastic wave propagation through the composite structure. Unfortunately, elastic waves possess strongly dispersive character. Thus, it is necessary to determine dispersion curves for investigated material before the tests in order to appropriate interpretation of received dynamic response of structure. In the case of arbitrary composite materials, it is rather challenging task. In the present article the relatively new, analytical method is applied, namely stiffness matrix method. The fundamental assumptions and the theoretical formulation of this method are discussed. Next numerical examples are presented, namely the dispersion curves are determined for the single orthotropic lamina and multi-layered 'quasi-isotropic' composite plate. The studied plates are made of glass fibres and epoxy resin. In the case of single lamina, the dispersion curves are determined in the parallel, perpendicular and arbitrary direction of waves propagation with respect to the fibre direction. In the case of multilayered plates, the dispersion curves are computed for one arbitrary direction. Additionally, the phase and group velocities for fundamental modes and fixed excitation frequency are estimated in all directions of waves propagation.

The theme of the present work is the analysis of the guided waves propagation along a flat, narrow composite plate (beam). The investigated structure is made of the multi - layered composite material (carbon fabric with epoxy resin). The applied material posses the quasi - isotropic mechanical properties. The guided waves are generated with the use of the piezoelectric activator. The finite element method is used in order to carried out the computer simulations. The plain state of the strain is assumed. The computations are performed for the intact and the damaged structure. In the case of the damaged structure the received signal (voltage) is significantly different in comparison with the intact structure. The qualitatively similar results are obtained from the experimental investigations.