Propagation phenomena of wideband guided waves in a bended pipe

Ultrasonic guided waves in pipes have been anticipated as a rapid screening technique for pipe inspection because of their long-range propagation due to low energy leakage. In this paper, the propagation phenomena of guided waves in a bended pipe were investigated using a wideband laser ultrasonic system. The laser ultrasonic system, together with wavelet transformation, is a powerful tool for observing the dispersive phenomena intrinsic to guided waves. Bended stainless steel (SUS304) pipes with 6-mm outer diameter and 1-mm wall thickness were used in the experiments. The bending angles of the pipes were set to 0 degrees (straight pipe), 10 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees. The radius of the bend was 12.5 mm in all the pipes. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was employed to generate the guided waves. The generated guided waves were detected with a heterodyne interferometer. The obtained time-domain signals and their wavelet coefficients indicated the following two conclusions: (1) The amplitude of the F(1,1) mode converted from the L(0,1) mode increased with the increase of the bending angle. (2) Mode conversions from the L(0,1) to F(1,1) modes and vice versa were clearly observed in the low-frequency range up to around 200 kHz.     

Study on energy attenuation of ultrasonic guided waves going through girth welds

Ultrasonic guided wave is introduced as a new non-destructive long range pipe inspection method. It can be used to inspect pipe which is inaccessible to other conventional NDT methods, and rapid, long distance inspection can be achieved. An investigation of the guided ultrasonic waves traveling along pipe with special geometry characteristics, such as elbow, several girth welds, and some artificial defects is described. In this paper, factors that may cause attenuation of ultrasonic guided waves are discussed and energy attenuation of longitudinal and torsional guided waves is studied on an experimental pipe having seven girth welds. Good agreement has been obtained between the experiments and the predictions. In the end, the detection sensitivity and locating precision of two guided waves, namely longitudinal and torsional, were compared on defects, such as notch, burr and branch.     

A new multichannel time reversal focusing method for circumferential Lamb waves and its applications for defect detection in thick-walled pipe with large-diameter

This paper proposes a new multichannel time reversal focusing (MTRF) method for circumferential Lamb waves which is based on modified time reversal algorithm and applies this method for detecting different kinds of defects in thick-walled pipe with large-diameter. The principle of time reversal of circumferential Lamb waves in pipe is presented along with the influence from multiple guided wave modes and propagation paths. Experimental study is carried out in a thick-walled and large-diameter pipe with three artificial defects, namely two axial notches on its inner and outer surface respectively, and a corrosion-like defect on its outer surface. By using the proposed MTRF method, the multichannel signals focus at the defects, leading to the amplitude improvement of the defect scattered signal. Besides, another energy focus arises in the direct signal due to the partial compensation of dispersion and multimode of circumferential Lamb waves, alongside the multichannel focusing, during MTRF process. By taking the direct focus as a time base, accurate defect localization is implemented. Secondly, a new phenomenon is exhibited in this paper that defect scattered wave packet appears just before the right boundary of truncation window after time reversal, and to which two feasible explanations are given. Moreover, this phenomenon can be used as the theoretical basis in the determination of defect scattered waves in time reversal response signal. At last, in order to detect defects without prior knowing their exact position, a large-range truncation window is used in the proposed method. As a result, the experimental operation of MTRF method is simplified and defect detection and localization are well accomplished.     

Calculation of leaky Lamb waves with a semi-analytical finite element method

A semi-analytical finite element method (SAFE) has been widely used for calculating dispersion curves and mode shapes of guided waves as well as transient waves in a bar like structures. Although guided wave inspection is often conducted for water-loaded plates and pipes, most of the SAFE techniques have not been extended to a plate with leaky media. This study describes leaky Lamb wave calculation with the SAFE. We formulated a new solution using a feature that a single Lamb wave mode generates a harmonic plane wave in leaky media. Dispersion curves obtained with the SAFE agreed well with the previous theoretical studies, which represents that the SAFE calculation was conducted with sufficient accuracy. Moreover, we discussed dispersion curves, attenuation curves, and displacement distributions for total transmission modes and leaky plate modes in a single side and both two side water-loaded plate.     

Phased array focusing with guided waves in a viscoelastic coated hollow cylinder

Guided wave phased array focusing has shown many advantages in long-range pipeline inspection, such as, longer inspection distance, greater wave penetration power and higher detection resolution. Viscoelastic coatings applied to a large percentage of pipes for protection purposes created some challenges in terms of focusing feasibility and inspection ability. Previous studies were all based on bare pipe models. In this work, guided wave phased array focusing in viscoelastic coated pipes is studied for the first time. Work was carried out with both numerical and experimental methods. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed for quantitatively and systematically modeling guided waves in pipes with different viscoelastic materials. A method of transforming measured coating properties to finite element method inputs was created in order to create a physically based model of guided waves in coated pipes. Guided wave focusing possibilities in viscoelastic coated pipes and the effects from coatings were comprehensively studied afterwards. A comparison of focusing and nonfocusing inspections was also studied quantitatively in coated pipe showing that focusing increased the wave energy and consequently the inspection ability tremendously. This study provides an important base line and guidance for guided wave propagation and focusing in a real field pipeline under various coating and environmental conditions.     

板状结构Lamb波频散补偿与聚焦接收成像检测

对板状结构中Lamb波的频散和多模现象进行了理论分析,采用有限元仿真方法获取了Lamb波与缺陷作用后的回波信号,对信号进行聚焦接收处理,即在一定距离范围内利用导波频散特性对各个模式信号进行频散补偿,提取补偿后信号的幅值,结果表明当所得信号幅值最大时,所对应的补偿距离等于缺陷与换能器之间的实际距离.利用这一结论,提出了以...     

Natural beam focusing of non-axisymmetric guided waves in large-diameter pipes

The propagation of non-axisymmetric guided waves in larger diameter pipes is studied in this paper by treating the guided waves as corresponding Lamb waves in an unwrapped plate. This approximation leads to a simpler method for calculating the phase velocities of hollow cylinder guided waves, which reveals a beam focusing nature of non-axisymmetric guided waves generated by a partial source loading. The acoustic fields in a pipe generated by a partial-loading source includes axisymmetric longitudinal modes as well as non-axisymmetric flexural modes. The circumferential distribution of the total acoustic field, also referred as an angular profile, diverges circumferentially while guided waves propagate with dependence on such factors as mode, frequency, cylinder size, propagation distance, etc. Exact prediction of the angular profile of the total field can only be realized by numerical calculations. In particular cases, however, when the wall thickness is far less than the cylinder diameter and the wavelength is smaller than or comparable to the pipe wall thickness, the acoustic field can be analyzed based on the characteristics of Lamb waves that travel along a periodic unwrapped plate. Based on this assumption, a simplified model is derived to calculate the phase velocities of non-axisymmetric flexural mode guided waves. The model is then applied to discussions on some particular characteristics of guided-wave angular profiles generated by a source loading. Some features of flexural modes, such as cutoff frequency values are predicted with the simpler model. The relationship between the angular profiles and other factors such as frequency, propagation distance, and cylinder size is obtained and presented in simple equations. The angular profile rate of change with respect to propagation distance is investigated. In particular, our simplified model for non-axisymmetric guided waves predicts that the wave beam will converge to its original circumferential shape after the wave propagates for a certain distance. A concept of "natural focal point" is introduced and a simple equation is derived to compute the 1st natural focal distance of non-axisymmetric guided waves. The applicable range of the simplified equation is provided. Industrial pipes meet the requirement of wall thickness being far less than the pipe diameter. The approximate analytical algorithms presented in this paper provides a convenient method enabling quick acoustic field analysis on large-diameter industrial pipes for NDE applications.     

Ultrasonic guided wave parameters for detection of axial cracks in feeder pipes of PHWR nuclear power plants

The dispersion curves for the feeder pipes in PHWR nuclear power plants were determined. The wave modes used for the detection of notches in the feeder pipe were confirmed as F(m,2) and/or L(0,1) by an analysis of short time Fourier transformation (STFT). The axial notches in the straight pipe were not detectable, but an axial notch in a bent pipe was detected with the mode at the frequency of 500 kHz. Initial F(m,2) and/or L(0,1) modes contains a circumferential displacement and might be converted to certain complicated modes in the bent region, which is sensitive to the axial notch. The circumferential guided wave technique was also applied for quantitative evaluation of the axial notches. The waves generated by a rocking motion of the transducer along the circumferential direction were estimated as the circumferential guided waves after a review of the acquired data and the dispersion curves.     

接触缺陷的振动调制超声导波检测技术研究

针对常规线性超声检测方法无法实现板结构接触类缺陷(如微裂纹、脱粘等)检测问题,将超声导波技术与振动声调制技术相结合,利用稀疏分布传感器发展了一种板结构中接触缺陷非线性超声检测方法。通过低频振动改变缺陷的接触状况,使得通过接触面的高频导波信号的相位和幅值受到调制。对受低频振动调制的超声导波二维时间序列进行时频分析,由于接触类缺陷的存在,在振动调制超声导波序列的时频分布上出现明显的低频振动频率分量。利用提取出的低频振动频率下的超声导波信号,进行了结构接触缺陷成像处理。检测试验表明,基于振动声调制的超声导波缺陷成像方法可以实现结构中的接触类缺陷检测。      

Ultrasonic guided wave focusing by a generalized phased array

Ultrasonic guided wave focusing by a generalized phased array is studied based on dispersion curves in a multi-layered medium. The different phase of the guided waves with different frequency is added on the excitation signal on each element of the transducer array for focusing. This can be realized by designing a proper excitation pulse based on the dispersion curves of the guided waves for each of the transducer array elements. The numerical simulation results show that the guided waves with different modes, different frequency components, and from different elements of the transducer array can all be focused at the target and focusing is achieved.     

管道结构中的类兰姆波层析成像

理论和实验上研究了层析成像在管道结构导波检测中的适用性。在管的两个圆周带上分别布置发射和接收换能器,形成多点发射-多点接收的几何结构。将管中绕管道沿最短路径的螺旋方向到达接收换能器的模式作为感兴趣的模式,它们看起来像在弯曲的板中传播,称之为类兰姆波模式。给出了类兰姆波各射线路径走时的理论计算方法,并采用联合迭代重建技术(SIRT)对走时数据进行慢度图像重建。数值模拟和实验研究了管中横穿孔缺陷层析成像的输出并对健康管和缺陷管中类兰姆波的走时数据进行比较,发现穿过缺陷区域的类兰姆波因为绕过缺陷传播而呈现出更长的走时。文中也给出了两缺陷管道类兰姆波层析成像的数值模拟和实验结果,相比单缺陷的情况,射线较少穿过区域缺陷的重建图像质量下降。研究结果为采用类兰姆波模式进行管道缺陷无损评价提供了理论依据。      

Detection of fatigue-induced micro-cracks in a pipe by using time-reversed nonlinear guided waves: a three-dimensional model study

Localization of fatigue-related micro-cracks in pipelines is of increasing importance in industrial applications. A three-dimensional (3D) fatigue-crack imaging technique combining nonlinear guided waves with time reversal is proposed in this paper for potential applications in pipeline inspections. By using this method, the non-classical nonlinear guided waves generated from micro-cracks with hysteretic behavior are recorded, and the third harmonic waves are used to reconstruct the fatigue-crack images in a pipe by using a time reversal (TR) process. The feasibility of this method is examined by the imaging simulations for a steel pipe with varied defect areas. A finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) code is programmed to solve the wave equations under cylindrical coordinates, and simulate the experimental process of wave propagation. The results show that: (1) the proposed technique has excellent spatial retrofocusing capability; (2) the accuracy of defect localization and sizing depends on the crack orientation and the adopted guided wave mode; and (3) different displacement/stress components have varied sensitivities to the crack orientation.     

无限液体介质内管道轴对称纵向导波激发与传播特性研究

利用声-结构耦合有限元法,分别对轴对称分布径的向及轴向外力作用在无限液体介质内未充液及充液管道内壁所激发导波进行了模拟,并进一步利用短时傅里叶变换技术对瞬态波形作时频分析,在此基础上,结合色散及衰减曲线,探讨了外力分布特征对导波激发的影响。研究表明,无限液体介质内未充液管中L(0,2)模式及充液管中L(0,3)~L(0,4)模式皆具有高群速度、弱色散且弱衰减频带,适宜用于缺陷探测,而通过控制轴对称分布外力的频率,并令其沿轴向作用于管内壁或外壁,可实现上述导波模式的高效激发。      

液态金属快堆主管道中超声导波传播特性研究

讨论了钠冷快堆(Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor,SFR)主管道的整体温度和内部液态金属钠流动速度的变化对管道导波传播特性的影响。推导了充液管道中导波频散方程的一般形式,并给出了管道内液态金属钠处于流动状态下的导波频散方程。采用数值计算方法获得了管内液态金属钠处于不同温度和不同流速时的导波纵向模式频散曲线和导波时域波形。结果表明,温度变化对基阶纵向模式的影响较小,但对高阶纵向模式的影响较大;液态钠流速增大会使导波频散曲线向高频轻微移动,但在实际检测中可以忽路管内液体流动速度的影响。通过对时域接收波形的模拟计算,进一步考察了液态金属钠的温度及流动速度变化对导波传播的影响,并通过对比不同模态的激发特点和不同频段的导波时域波形特点,结合导波频散曲线,给出了适用于SFR管道超声无损检测的导波模态和声源激发频段选择方案。      

Borehole guided waves in a non-Newtonian (Maxwell) fluid-saturated porous medium

<正>The property of acoustic guided waves generated in a fluid-filled borehole surrounded by a non-Newtonian (Maxwell) fluid-saturated porous formation with a permeable wall is investigated.The influence of non-Newtonian effects on acoustic guided waves such as Stoneley waves,pseudo-Rayleigh waves,flexural waves,and screw waves propagations in a fluid-filled borehole is demonstrated based on the generalized Biot-Tsiklauri model by calculating their velocity dispersion and attenuation coefficients.The corresponding acoustic waveforms illustrate their properties in time domain.The results are also compared with those based on generalized Biot's theory.The results show that the influence of non-Newtonian effect on acoustic guided wave,especially on the attenuation coefficient of guided wave propagation in borehole is noticeable.     

Simulation of guided waves in complex piping geometries using the elastodynamic finite integration technique

Although many technologies exist for inspecting piping systems, they are most successful on straight pipes and are often unable to accommodate the added complexities of pipe elbows, bends, twists, and branches, particularly if the region of interest is inaccessible. This paper presents a numerical technique based on the elastodynamic finite integration technique for simulating guided elastic wave propagation in piping systems. Comparisons show agreement between experimental and simulated data, and guided wave interaction with flaws, focusing, and propagation in pipe bends are presented. These examples demonstrate the ability of the simulation method to be used to study elastic wave propagation in piping systems which include three-dimensional pipe bends, and suggest its potential as a design tool for designing pipe inspection hardware and ultrasonic signal processing algorithms.     

Guided wave helical ultrasonic tomography of pipes

Ultrasonic guided waves have been used for a wide variety of ultrasonic inspection techniques. We describe here a new variation called helical ultrasound tomography (HUT) that uses guided ultrasonic waves along with tomographic reconstruction algorithms that have been developed by seismologists for what they call "cross borehole" tomography. In HUT, the Lamb-like guided waves travel the various helical criss-cross paths between two parallel circumferential transducer arrays instead of the planar criss-cross seismic paths between two boreholes. Although the measurement itself is fairly complicated, the output of the tomographic reconstruction is a readily interpretable map of a quantity of interest such as pipe wall thickness. In this paper we demonstrate HUT via laboratory scans on steel pipe segments into which controlled thinnings have been introduced.     

无限流体中孔隙介质圆柱周向导波的传播特性

为研究无限大流体约束的孔隙圆柱中周向导波的传播规律,分析孔隙参数对导波传播特性的影响,建立了无限流体中孔隙介质圆柱的理论模型,利用孔隙介质弹性波动理论,建立了周向导波频散方程,通过数值模拟计算得到无限流体中孔隙介质圆柱的频散曲线,探讨了圆柱半径和孔隙参数对导波传播特性的影响,并对导波的衰减特性进行了分析;通过数值计算,得到了周向导波的时域波形,讨论了孔隙参数对波形的影响.结果表明,孔隙介质圆柱半径的改变影响圆柱尺度,孔隙度的改变影响孔隙介质中体声波的波速,都对周向导波频散曲线产生一定的影响,所得到的频散曲线特征及衰减曲线与时域波形吻合.研究结果对开展无限流体中孔隙介质圆柱的超声无损评价提供了一定的理论参考.     

Remote characterization of defects in plates with viscoelastic coatings using guided waves

The remote inspection for defects in large metallic elements such as pipes, tubes and plates is a field where guided waves are being applied with success. There are a number of situations where a surface coating is added for corrosion protection or insulation purposes. Since the coating materials are usually viscoelastic, the guided wave inspection range may be severely reduced unless a proper mode and an adequate frequency range is selected. Previous authors found the existence of low-attenuated modes at certain frequency ranges, which were used to detect and locate defects at reasonably large distances. This paper studies the potential of guided waves for not only locating but also sizing defects in plates with viscoelastic coatings. A hybrid finite element-boundary element method which explicitly includes the attenuating characteristics of the coating is used to determine Lamb and SH mode conversion factors at corrosion defects under the coating. Through parametric studies and analysis of the numerical results, some trends and features are highlighted that could be used for sizing purposes.     

Nonlinear wave interactions in patterned Silica and AlGaAs waveguides

We study nonlinear interactions between discrete optical solitons that propagate in different regimes of diffraction, and the nonlinear scattering of dispersive waves by local optical potentials. It is well known in optics that when linear coherent waves meet, they interfere without interactions. Linear waves also scatter through local optical structures not exchanging any power with the guided modes of these structures. As a focusing Kerr nonlinearity is present, such linearly-inhibited phenomena can exist. Our studies are performed in silica and AlGaAs nonlinear waveguides, excited by ultra-short pulses in the near infrared. Presented at 9-th International Workshop on Nonlinear Optics Applications, NOA 2007, May 17–20, 2007, Świnoujście, Poland