Simulation of ultrasonic Non Destructive Testing (NDT) is helpful for evaluating performances of inspection techniques and requires the modelling of waves scattered by defects. Two classical flaw scattering models have been previously usually employed and evaluated to deal with inspection of planar defects, the Kirchhoff approximation (KA) for simulating reflection and the Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (GTD) for simulating diffraction. Combining them so as to retain advantages of both, the Physical Theory of Diffraction (PTD) initially developed in electromagnetism has been recently extended to elastodynamics. In this paper a PTD-based system model is proposed for simulating the ultrasonic response of crack-like defects. It is also extended to provide good description of regions surrounding critical rays where the shear diffracted waves and head waves interfere. Both numerical and experimental validation of the PTD model is carried out in various practical NDT configurations, such as pulse echo and Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD), involving both crack tip and corner echoes. Numerical validation involves comparison of this model with KA and GTD as well as the Finite-Element Method (FEM).
The ultrasonic TOFD (Time of Flight Diffraction) Technique is commonly used to detect and characterize disoriented cracks using their edge diffraction echoes. An overview of the models integrated in the CIVA software platform and devoted to TOFD simulation is presented. CIVA allows to predict diffraction echoes from complex 3D flaws using a PTD (Physical Theory of Diffraction) based model. Other dedicated developments have been added to simulate lateral waves in 3D on planar entry surfaces and in 2D on irregular surfaces by a ray approach. Calibration echoes from Side Drilled Holes (SDHs), specimen echoes and shadowing effects from flaws can also been modelled. Some examples of theoretical validation of the models are presented. In addition, experimental validations have been performed both on planar blocks containing calibration holes and various notches and also on a specimen with an irregular entry surface and allow to draw conclusions on the validity of all the developed models.
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