Simulation and Data Processing for Ultrasonic Phased-Arrays Applications

Abstract

The use of phased-arrays techniques has considerably contributed to extend the domain of applications and the performances of ultrasonic methods on complex configurations. Their adaptability offers a great freedom for conceiving the inspection leading to a wide range of functionalities gathering electronic commutation, applications of different delay laws and so on. This advantage allows to circumvent the difficulties encountered with more classical techniques especially when the inspection is assisted by simulation at the different stages : probe design (optimization of the number and characteristics of the elements), evaluation of the performances in terms of flaw detection (zone coverage) and characterization, driving the array (computation of adapted delay laws) and finally analyzing the results (versatile model-based imaging tools allowing in particular to locate the data in the real space). The CEA is strongly involved in the development of efficient simulation-based tools adapted to these needs. In this communication we present the recent advances done at CEA in this field and show several examples of complex NDT phased arrays applications. On these cases we show the interest and the performances of simulation-helped array design, array-driving and data analysis.

Ultrasonic Phased Array Simulations of Welded Components at Nasa

“…The CIVA software allows bulk wave beam field predictions using the elastodynamics pencil method and defect response predictions using Kirchhoff, GTD or Born models for beam/defect interaction [3 -10]. The software has many powerful options available including the ability to compute delay laws for phased array ultrasonic setups [11,12] and the ability to overlay resulting beam profiles and beam/defect responses onto the model of the part. Components requiring defect response predictions need to be either imported as two-dimensional DXF files or drawn in two-dimensional profile in the computer-aided-design (CAD) facility included in the CIVA software.…”