TABLE OF CONTENTS


 Page

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................... ................. ii

LIST OF TABLES................. ................... ...... ..... ...... ix

LIST OF FIGURES.......................................... E..... xiii

ABSTRACT............o ......... .... o ....... ...................... xx


CHAPTER

 1 INTRODUCTION ..... .......... ........................ .. 1

 1.1 Background........ ... .... ........ .................... 1
 1.2 Study Objectives ... .... .............. ... ... ...... .... ... 3
 1.3 Scope of Study................................. ... .. 4

 2 LITERATURE REVIEW .. ....................... ........... ... ... 6

 2.1 Introduction......................... .............. 6
 2.2 Elastic-Layer Theory................... ................ 7
 2.2.1 General............ ....... ...... ........... 7
 2.2.2 One-Layer System................................ 8
 2.2.3 Two-Layer System............................. 9
 2.2.4 Three-Layer System........................... 10
 2.2.5 Multilayered or N-Layered Systems.............. 11
 2.3 Material Characterization Methods...................... 13
 2.3.1 General......................................... 13
 2.3.2 State-of-the-Art Nondestructive Testing......... 15
 2.3.2.1 General............................... 15
 2.3.2.2 Static Deflection Procedures........... 16
 2.3.2.3 Steady-State Dynamic Force-
 Deflection................................ 21
 2.3.2.4 Dynamic Impact Load Response........... 24
 2.3.2.5 Wave Propagation Technique............. 29
 2.3.3 NDT Data-Interpretation Methods................ 32
 2.3.3.1 General ...... ...................... ....... 32
 2.3.3.2 Direct Solutions ...................... 36
 2.3.3.3 Back-Calculation Methods............... 41
 2.3.4 Other In Situ Methods...............t......... 44