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New Techniques - Ultrasonic Inverse Wave Extrapolation

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Richard Yentumi

New inspection techniques like IWEX (inverse wave field extrapolation) and tomographic imaging are being developed. IWEX uses a phased array probe where each element is excited sequentially to generate 3D ultrasonic data that is processed using an inverse algorithm to produce 2D and 3D images of defects, revealing their shape and orientation at potentially half the wavelength resolution of standard phased arrays. Commercial IWEX systems are now available from companies like Applus RTD to inspect welds and detect lack-of-fusion defects in 3D.

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New Techniques - Ultrasonic Inverse Wave Extrapolation

Uploaded by

Richard Yentumi
71 views16 pages
New inspection techniques like IWEX (inverse wave field extrapolation) and tomographic imaging are being developed. IWEX uses a phased array probe where each element is excited sequentially to generate 3D ultrasonic data that is processed using an inverse algorithm to produce 2D and 3D images of defects, revealing their shape and orientation at potentially half the wavelength resolution of standard phased arrays. Commercial IWEX systems are now available from companies like Applus RTD to inspect welds and detect lack-of-fusion defects in 3D.

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ultrasonic inverse wave extrapolation techniques

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New techniques - ultrasonic inverse wave extrapolation

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New inspection techniques like IWEX (inverse wave field extrapolation) and tomographic imaging are being developed. IWEX uses a phased array probe where each element is excited sequentially to generate 3D ultrasonic data that is processed using an inverse algorithm to produce 2D and 3D images of defects, revealing their shape and orientation at potentially half the wavelength resolution of standard phased arrays. Commercial IWEX systems are now available from companies like Applus RTD to inspect welds and detect lack-of-fusion defects in 3D.

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© All Rights Reserved
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71 views16 pages

New Techniques - Ultrasonic Inverse Wave Extrapolation

Uploaded by

Richard Yentumi
New inspection techniques like IWEX (inverse wave field extrapolation) and tomographic imaging are being developed. IWEX uses a phased array probe where each element is excited sequentially to generate 3D ultrasonic data that is processed using an inverse algorithm to produce 2D and 3D images of defects, revealing their shape and orientation at potentially half the wavelength resolution of standard phased arrays. Commercial IWEX systems are now available from companies like Applus RTD to inspect welds and detect lack-of-fusion defects in 3D.

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New Inspection Techniques

Ultrasonic Inverse Wave Field Extrapolation


IWEX

Offshore Inspection

20015/16
David Yapp

1
New Techniques in inspection

 New technologies are being developed for inspection


• X-ray tomography / TomoCAR and Rayscan 3D
• Full matrix capture ultrasonics / IWEX
• 3-D flaw reconstruction
 IWEX, inverse wave field extrapolation, is based on seismic
exploration, where sound waves are generated at earth surface
by a matrix of explosive charges, and resulting signal captured
by matrix of geophones
 The mathematics of inverse wave field extrapolation is based on
the Rayleigh II integral, and was developed 50 years ago
 Inspection using this technique has been made possible by
developments in ultrasonic transducers and microprocessors

2
IWEX Principle

One element of a
phased array is fired,
and resulting signals
captured by all other
elements

3
IWEX Principle

Each element is fired


sequentially. In the IWEX
method, the wave field recordings
are extrapolated back into space
towards all points. If at one of
those points, a scatterer is
present, the backwards
extrapolated wave field has a
high amplitude, and will give a
high contribution to that location
in the image. If that is done for all
points in the image, the location
and shape of the scatterer can be
determined

4
IWEX Principle

Each element of a of a phased array probe is excited sequentially,


and signals from all other probes are captured. Hence for a scan at
one position with a 64 element probe, 64X64 data sets are
generated

Probe is move to create 3-D information. Data is processes by


IWEX algorithm to generate 2-D images and 3-D images
5
3-D reconstruction

3-D reconstruction from multiple


2-D images

6
IWEX set-up for weld inspection

 Wedges on both sides of the weld


 Better sizing accuracy – potentially λ/2 vs. λ for phase arrays
 Interrogates whole weld – not just fusion boundary
7
2D image of artificial defect

mm

2D image of weld, indicating defect size and orientation,


plus top and bottom surfaces
8
IWEX performance

Shape and orientation of defects can be revealed


9
IWEX performance

Test plate manufactured with 3 mm high artificial


defects in different positions and orientations
10
IWEX performance

11
0.5 mm drilled holes (8 MHz probe)

12
3D lack-of-sidewall-fusion defect after
software rendering

13
Applus RTD IWEX

Commercial equipment now available from RTD

14
Conclusions
 IWEX enables shape and orientation of defects to be revealed,
plus shape of root and cap in welds.
 Resolution potentially is λ/2 vs. λ for phased arrays
 Whole area can be interrogated, rather than just focussing on
fusion boundaries in welds – hence POD (probability of
detection) is higher
 IWEX can provide appropriate data for ECA (Engineering
Critical Analysis). Need for high level interpretation skills
reduced
 RTD IWEX system first available commercially in 2014. Other
systems in development by other companies

15
Resources

 Applus RTD web site http://www.applusrtd.com/ (IWEX)


 Wassink, C H P., Schouten, J J., Chougrani, K., van den Ent, J.,
“Initial qualification results for weld assessment using inverse
wave field extrapolation”, Pipeline Technology Conference, 7 –
8 October 2103, Ostend, Belgium. Tiratsoo Technical.
 Deleye, X., Horchens, L., Chougrani, K, “Experimental
comparison of wave-field based ultrasonic imaging with other
advanced ultrasonic weld inspection techniques”, 18th World
conference on Non-destructive testing, 16 – 18 April 2012,
Durban, South Africa
 TWI website www.twi.co.uk (“Full matrix capture”)

16

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