Detection of internal crack growth in polyethylene pipe using guided wave ultrasonic testing

Despite the success of guided wave ultrasonic inspection for internal defect detection in steel pipes,its application on polyethylene(PE)pipe remains relatively unexplored.The growth of internal cracks in PE pipe severely affects its pressure-holding capacity,hence the early detection of internal cracks is crucial for effective pipeline maintenance strategies.This study extends the scope of guided wave-based ultrasonic testing to detect the growth of internal cracks in a natural gas distribution PE pipe.Laboratory experiments and a finite element model were planned to study the wave-crack interaction at different stages of axially oriented internal crack growth with a piezoceramic transducer-based setup arranged in a pitch-catch configuration.Mode dispersion analysis supplemented with preliminary experiments was performed to isolate the optimal inspection frequency,leading to the selection of the T(0,1)mode at 50-kHz for the investigation.A transmission index based on the energy of the T(0,1)mode was developed to trace the extent of simulated crack growth.The findings revealed an inverse linear correlation between the transmission index and the crack depth for crack growth beyond 20%crack depth.

Flexible pavement longitudinal joint quality evaluation using non-destructive testing

Longitudinal joint construction quality is critical to the life of flexible pavements.Maintaining deteriorated longitudinal joints has become a challenge for many highway agencies.Improving the joint's quality through better compaction during construction can help achieve flexible pavements with longer service lives and less maintenance.Current quality control(QC)and quality assurance(QA)plans provide limited coverage.Consequently,the risk of missing areas with poor joint compaction is significant.A density profiling system(DPS)is a non-destructive alternative to conventional destructive evaluation methods.It can provide quick and continuous real-time coverage of the compaction during construction in dielectrics.The paper presents several case studies comparing various types of longitudinal joints and demonstrating the use of DPS to evaluate the joint's compaction quality.The paper shows that dielectric measurements can provide valuable insight into the ability of various construction techniques to achieve adequate levels of compaction at the longitudinal joint.The paper proposes a dielectric-based longitudinal joint quality index(LJQI)to evaluate the relative compaction of the joint during construction.It also shows that adopting DPS for assessing the compaction of longitudinal joints can minimize the risk of agencies accepting poorly constructed joints,identify locations of poor quality during construction,and achieve better-performing flexible pavements.

Acoustic Non-Destructive Testing Technology in Concrete Bridge Inspection and Pile Foundation Detection

This article takes the actual construction project of a certain concrete bridge project as an example to analyze the application of acoustic non-destructive testing technology in its detection.It includes an overview of a certain bridge construction project studied and acoustic non-destructive testing technology and the application of acoustic non-destructive testing technology in actual testing.This analysis hopes to provide some guidelines for acoustic non-destructive testing of modern concrete bridge projects.

Phase aberration correction in ultrasonic phased array non-destructive testing systems

Phase aberration correction for medical ultrasound systems has attracted a great deal of attention. Since phased array techniques are now widely employed for industrial non-destructive testing （NDT） applications in various fields, the problem of phase aberrations in the process of NDT testing is considered. The technique of cross-covariance for phase aberration correction is presented. The performance of the technique for phase aberration correction is tested by means of echo signals obtained in practical non-destructive testing experiment. The results show that the technique has the better accuracy of phase correction.

Application of the digital matched-filter technique to ultrasonic non-destructive testing

Acoustic-pulse compression is obtained in systems with different timebandwidth products by applying the digital matched-filter technique to ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The signal is linearly frequency -modulated (LFM) pulse and the digitized electrical-excitation signal itself is used as a digital matched filter. Experimental results are in good agreement with theory. Suppressions of side lobes achieve -41.9 dB and -41.5 dB for the Hamming and Gaussian weighted signals respectively. It shows that the application of the digital matched-filter technique improves the performances of a ultrasonic testing system explicitly.

Industrialization of a Large Advanced Ultrasonic Flexible Probe for Non-destructive Testing of Austenitic Steel Pieces with Irregular Surface

Because the UT （ultrasonic testing） flexible probe technology may be an appropriate answer to examine components with uneven surface, AREVA has developed an industrial application of the CEA＇s （French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies） flexible phased arrays sensors. As a ＂first of a kind＂ project, the challenges faced were significant, including developing a phased array smart probe suitable for industrial use on rather simple but large scale geometries, permitting UT propagation within a constraining media structure and then targeting a qualification according to ENIQ （European Network for Inspection Qualification） methodology. A prototype flexible probe, designed for UT validation, and final flexible linear array probes permitting the UT behavior （as, e.g., detection and sizing from diffraction type echoes） to be maintained on wavy coupling surfaces, have been manufactured. These probes include a profilemeter with optical sensors control and a specifically designed coupling circuit （avoiding probe housing tightness issues）. Qualification has been performed using open test blocks, （where known ＂defects＂ exist, for procedure qualification）, and blind test blocks, （where ＂defects＂ are unknown, for qualification of testing personnel）. One open test bloc was customized to represent a ＂real＂ surface condition, with gaps up to 2.5 mm under the regular rigid probes. AREVAI/BGSI in Germany was selected to lead the project, with assistance in development and manufacturing sub-contracted to ＂CEA/LIST＂ laboratory, and the companies ＂IMASONIC＂ and ＂M2M＂. This paper describes the development of these probes and explains a few features （ENIQ qualification objectives fulfilled, UT data acquired on actual perturbed surface） that made their industrial implementation successful.

Determining rock crack stress thresholds using ultrasonic through-transmission measurements

The crack initiation stress threshold is widely used in excavation industries as rock spalling strength when designing deep underground structures to avoid unwanted brittle failures.While various strain-based methods have been developed for the estimation of this critical design parameter,such methods are destructive and often requires subjective interpretations of the stress–strain curves,particularly in rocks with pre-existing microcracks or high porosity.This study explore the applicability of non-destructive ultrasonic through-transmission methods for determining rock damage levels by assessing the changes in transmitted signal characteristics during loading.The change in velocity,amplitude,dominant frequency,and root-mean-square voltage are investigated with four different rock types including marble,sandstone,granite,and basalt under various stress levels.Results suggest the rate of signal variations can be reliably used to estimate crack closure and crack initiation stress levels across the tested rocks before failure.Comparison of the results between the conventional techniques and the new proposed methods based on ultrasonic monitoring are further discussed.

Compressive Strength of Basic Magnesium Sulfate Cement Coral Aggregate Concrete(MCAC)on Non-Destructive Testing

Basic magnesium sulfate cement coral aggregate concrete(MCAC)is a new type of concrete consisting of basic magnesium sulfate cement,coarse coral aggregate,coral reef sand and seawater.The rebound hammer(RH),the ultrasonic pulse velocity(UPV)and the compressive strength(fcu)tests of 14 sets of cube specimens of the MCAC after 28 d of aging were conducted.The impact of the content and length of sisal fiber on the relationship between the fcu-RH and the fcu-UPV was determined.A mathematical model was established to predict the strength of the MCAC using the UPV,RH,and comprehensive UPV/RH methods and to obtain the curves of test strength.The applicability of the test strength curves of ordinary portland concrete(OPC),light-weight aggregate concrete(LAC),and coral aggregate concrete(CAC)to MCAC was assessed.The results showed that the test strength curves of OPC,LAC and CAC were inappropriate to determine the strength of MCAC using non-destructive method.The relative standard error of the curves of test strength of the RH method and the comprehensive method met the specifications,whereas that of the UPV method did not.

Improving Ultrasonic Testing by Using Machine Learning Framework Based on Model Interpretation Strategy

Ultrasonic testing(UT)is increasingly combined with machine learning(ML)techniques for intelligently identifying damage.Extracting signifcant features from UT data is essential for efcient defect characterization.Moreover,the hidden physics behind ML is unexplained,reducing the generalization capability and versatility of ML methods in UT.In this paper,a generally applicable ML framework based on the model interpretation strategy is proposed to improve the detection accuracy and computational efciency of UT.Firstly,multi-domain features are extracted from the UT signals with signal processing techniques to construct an initial feature space.Subsequently,a feature selection method based on model interpretable strategy(FS-MIS)is innovatively developed by integrating Shapley additive explanation(SHAP),flter method,embedded method and wrapper method.The most efective ML model and the optimal feature subset with better correlation to the target defects are determined self-adaptively.The proposed framework is validated by identifying and locating side-drilled holes(SDHs)with 0.5λcentral distance and different depths.An ultrasonic array probe is adopted to acquire FMC datasets from several aluminum alloy specimens containing two SDHs by experiments.The optimal feature subset selected by FS-MIS is set as the input of the chosen ML model to train and predict the times of arrival(ToAs)of the scattered waves emitted by adjacent SDHs.The experimental results demonstrate that the relative errors of the predicted ToAs are all below 3.67%with an average error of 0.25%,signifcantly improving the time resolution of UT signals.On this basis,the predicted ToAs are assigned to the corresponding original signals for decoupling overlapped pulse-echoes and reconstructing high-resolution FMC datasets.The imaging resolution is enhanced to 0.5λby implementing the total focusing method(TFM).The relative errors of hole depths and central distance are no more than 0.51%and 3.57%,respectively.Finally,the superior performance of the proposed FS-MIS is validated by comparing it with initial feature space and conventional dimensionality reduction techniques.

Discussion on the Status Quo of Non-Destructive Testing Technology in Highway Engineering and Strategies of Improving the Quality of Testing

Highway test and detection technology play a very important role in controlling the quality of road and bridge engineering and improving the maintenance of roads and bridges.The study of highway bridge test detection technology is both theoretically and practically useful.Road and bridge test and detection is a complicated task.With the development of science and technology,highway and bridge engineering test and detection technology has also made great progress.The continuous improvement of test and detection technology has brought good social benefits to road and bridge construction.This article discusses the problems in test and detection technology of highway bridges and how to improve the quality of test and detection.

Application of Non-Destructive Testing Technology in Quality Testing and Control of Water Conservancy Projects

In view of social development,the demand for water conservancy engineering applications continues to increase.The number and scale of water conservancy projects in China have been in a state of continuous expansion in recent years.As a result,how to achieve efficient testing and effective control of the quality of water conservancy projects has always been a topic of discussion in the field of water conservancy engineering in our country.This paper summarizes the application of non-destructive testing technology in the quality testing and control of water conservancy projects.On the basis of explaining the connotation and application advantages of non-destructive testing technology,the non-destructive testing application strategies for concrete strength,steel corrosion and shallow cracks in water conservancy projects were studied.

On the Foundations of the Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Determination of Stresses in Near-the-Surface Layers of Materials： Review

The foundation of the ultrasonic non-destructive determination of stresses in near-the-surface layers of solids is presented. The method is based on the regularities of Rayleigh wave propagation in solids with initial （residual） stresses. A description of the above mentioned method and examples of stress determination are presented. Examples are considered as applied to the residual stresses arising at electric welding and the operating stresses arising at loading.

Pulsed Eddy Current Non-destructive Testing and Evaluation:A Review

Pulsed eddy current （PEC） non-destructive test- ing and evaluation （NDT＆E） has been around for some time and it is still attracting extensive attention from researchers around the globe, which can be witnessed through the reports reviewed in this paper. Thanks to its richness of spectral components, various applications of this technique have been proposed and reported in the lit- erature covering both structural integrity inspection and material characterization in various industrial sectors. To support its development and for better understanding of the phenomena around the transient induced eddy currents, attempts for its modelling both analytically and numeri- cally have been made by researchers around the world. This review is an attempt to capture the state-of-the-art development and applications of PEC, especially in the last 15 years and it is not intended to be exhaustive. Future challenges and opportunities for PEC NDT＆E are also presented.

Nondestructive Testing and Characterization of Residual Stress Field Using an Ultrasonic Method

To address the difficulty in testing and calibrating the stress gradient in the depth direction of mechanical components, a new technology of nondestructive testing and characterization of the residual stress gradient field by ultrasonic method is proposed based on acoustoelasticity theory. By carrying out theoretical analysis, the sensitivity coefficients of different types of ultrasonic are obtained by taking the low carbon steel（12%C） as a research object. By fixing the interval distance between sending and receiving transducers, the mathematical expressions of the change of stress and the variation of time are established. To design one sending-one receiving and oblique incidence ultrasonic detection probes, according to Snell law, the critically refracted longitudinal wave（LCR wave） is excited at a certain depth of the fixed distance of the tested components. Then, the relationship between the depth of LCR wave detection and the center frequency of the probe in Q235 steel is obtained through experimental study. To detect the stress gradient in the depth direction, a stress gradient LCR wave detection model is established, through which the stress gradient formula is derived by the relationship between center frequency and detecting depth. A C-shaped stress specimen of Q235 steel is designed to conduct stress loading tests, and the stress is measured with the five group probes at different center frequencies. The accuracy of ultrasonic testing is verified by X-ray stress analyzer. The stress value of each specific depth is calculated using the stress gradient formula. Accordingly, the ultrasonic characterization of residual stress field is realized. Characterization results show that the stress gradient distribution is consistent with the simulation in ANSYS. The new technology can be widely applied in the detection of the residual stress gradient field caused by mechanical processing, such as welding and shot peening.

Progress on the ultrasonic testing and laser thermography techniques for NDT of tokamak plasma-facing components

During manufacturing and operation, different kinds of defects, e.g., delamination or surface cracks, may be generated in the plasma-facing components (PFCs) of a Tokamak device. To ensure the safety of the PFCs, various kinds of nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques are needed for different defect and failure mode. This paper gives a review of the recently developed ultrasonic testing (UT) and laser thermography methods for inspection of the delamination and surface cracks in PFCs. For monoblock W/Cu PFCs of divertor, the bonding quality at both W-Cu and Cu- CuCrZr interfaces was qualified by using UT with a focus probe during manufacturing. A noncontact, coupling-free and flexible ultrasonic scanning testing system with use of an electromagnetic acoustic transducer and a robotic inspection manipulator was introduced then for the in-vessel inspection of delamination defect in first wall (FW). A laser infrared thermography testing method is highlighted for the on-line inspection of delamination defect in FW through the vacuum vessel window of the Tokamak reactor. Finally, a new laser spot thermography method using laser spot array source was described for the online inspection of the surface cracks in FW.

Laser ultrasonic testing for near-surface defects inspection of 316L stainless steel fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

The laser powder bed fusion(L-PBF)method of additive manufacturing(AM)is increasingly used in various industrial manufacturing fields due to its high material utilization and design freedom of parts.However,the parts produced by L-PBF usually contain such defects as crack and porosity because of the technological characteristics of L-PBF,which affect the quality of the product.Laser ultrasonic testing(LUT)is a potential technology for on-line testing of the L-PBF process.It is a non-contact and non-destructive approach based on signals from abundant waveforms with a wide frequency-band.In this study,a method of LUT for on-line inspection of L-PBF process was proposed,and a system of LUT was established approaching the actual environment of on-line detection to evaluate the method applicability for defects detection of L-PBF parts.The detection results of near-surface defects in L-PBF 316L stainless steel parts show that the crack-type defects with a sub-millimeter level within 0.5 mm depth can be identified,and accordingly,the positions and dimensions information can be acquired.The results were verified by X-ray computed tomography,which indicates that the present method exhibits great potential for on-line inspection of AM processes.

Thickness measurement approach for plasma sprayed coatings using ultrasonic testing technique

The special ultrasonic testing system has been developed for thickness measurement of plasma sprayed coatings. The ultrasonic immersion method was used to obtain stable coupling condition and avoid other disadvantages of contact method. Spherical acoustic lens were designed to focus ultrasonic beam so as to improve beam directivity and concentrate ultrasonic energy. To increase testing precision and avoid mussy wave signals, moderate pulse width and frequency of the transducer has been selected. The displacement of transducer in X-Y-Z directions was precisely manipulated by step-controlled system to insure the accuracy of focus length and repetition of measurement. Optimized testing conditions (with the transducer of center frequency of 10 MHz and crystal diameter of 8 mm, focus length of 9.5 mm, diameter of focal column of 0. 1 mm and length of focal column of 0.27 mm) were selected to determine the thickness between 285 -414 μm of ZrO2 coatings plasma sprayed on the nickel based superalloy. The frequency interval of the periodic extremums in ultrasonic power spectra decreases with increasing coating thickness. The ultrasonic results accord with those of metallographical method.

Evaluation of freezing state of sandstone using ultrasonic time-frequency characteristics

Common problems in engineering projects that involve artificial ground freezing of soil or rock include inadequate thickness,strength and continuity of artificial frozen walls.It is difficult to evaluate the freezing state using only a few thermometer holes at fixed positions or with other existing approaches.Here we report a novel experimental design that investigates changes in ultrasonic properties(received waveform,wave velocity V_(p),wave amplitude,frequency spectrum,centroid frequency f_(c),kurtosis of the frequency spectrum KFS,and quality factor Q)measured during upward freezing,compared with those during uniform freezing,in order to determine the freezing state in 150 mm cubic blocks of Ardingly sandstone.Water content,porosity and density were estimated during upward freezing to ascertain water migration and changes of porosity and density at different stages.The period of receiving the wave increased substantially and coda waves changed from loose to compact during both upward and uniform freezing.The trend of increasing V_(p) can be divided into three stages during uniform freezing.During upward freezing,V_(p) increased more or less uniformly.The frequency spectrum could be used as a convenient and rapid method to identify different freezing states of sandstone(unfrozen,upward frozen,and uniformly frozen).The continuous changes in reflection coefficient r_(φ),refraction coefficient t_(φ) and acoustic impedance field are the major reason for larger reflection and refraction during upward freezing compared with uniform freezing.Wave velocity V_(p),wave amplitude A_(h),centroid frequency f_(c) and quality factor Q were adopted as ultrasonic parameters to evaluate quantitatively the temperature T of uniformly frozen sandstone,and their application within a radar chart is recommended.Determination of V_(p) provides a convenient method to evaluate the freezing state and calculate the cryofront height and frozen section thickness of upward frozen sandstone,with accuracies of 73.37%-99.23%.

Ultrasonic TOFD testing for aluminum alloy weld of thick plate

The ultrasonic time of flight diffraction (TOFD) testing method for aluminum alloy weld of thick plate was introduced, and the basic defect image features of crack in shape at different positions A, B, C were discussed. The TOFD testing for weld joints was carried out. The results show that the TOFD method has a good measurement accuracy and a good ability of finding the defect of crack in shape.

A coin-tap method of composite materials non-destructive testing based on improved grey clustering

Aiming at the problems of low reliability and complex operation of traditional coin-tap test of composite material,this paper introduces the grey system theory and achieves better performance.The response signals of coin-tap are classified through the grey clustering based on relation analysis,and corresponding improvements are made to the calculation method of the relation degree of nearness.First,the time history of acceleration is taken as the system behavior sequence.The improved correlation calculation method is used to solve the relation degree of nearness between the sequences,and the matrix of degree of grey relation is constructed based on this.Then,the sequence groups are summarized through the matrix,and the response signals of coin-tap are qualitatively classified according to the location of the reference sequence.Finally,the defect detection of composite materials is completed without pre-testing.The test results show that the accuracy of the coin-tap test based on improved grey clustering reaches 100%,which simplifies the operation steps while ensuring the reliability of the coin-tap test results.