Ultrasonic Phased Array Inspection Experiments and Simulations for an Isogrid Structural Element With Cracks

Abstract

Inspection of aircraft fastener holes using a conically shaped multi-element phased array probe AIP Conf.ABSTRACT. In this investigation, a T-shaped aluminum alloy isogrid stiffener element used in aerospace applications was inspected with ultrasonic phased array methods. The isogrid stiffener element had various crack configurations emanating from bolt holes. Computational simulation methods were used to mimic the experiments in order to help understand experimental results. The results of this study indicate that it is at least partly feasible to interrogate this type of geometry with the given flaw configurations using phased array ultrasonics. The simulation methods were critical in helping explain the experimental results and, with some limitation, can be used to predict inspection results.

Ultrasonic beam steering using Neumann boundary condition in multiplysics

“…Wilcox [4] presented a circular array integrated with a deconvolution algorithm to improve quality. Other researchers proposed the use of spatially distributed arrays, consisting of sensors distributed over a large area, as an effective approach to image damage inside and outside the area, enclosed by the array [5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The method of application range from single element transducers to phased array elements for industrial inspection [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

Recent Improvements in Display and Analysis of Nde Data at Nasa

“…The 3D geometries representing the impact damage craters can also be quantified in detail, in terms of, for examples, volume, surface area, feret diameters and moment of inertia. Further, the volume rendering can be exported to a solid model for ultrasonic, x-ray, and CT modeling to compare experimental NDE results with those predicted from simulation [4]. Both the finite element and solid model meshing aspects for CT will also be discussed in future articles.…”