The use of ultrasonic guided waves for the inspection of square tube structures: Dispersion analysis and numerical and experimental studies

2020 ◽  
pp. 147592172091969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Wan ◽  
Meiru Liu ◽  
Xuhui Zhang ◽  
Hongwei Fan ◽  
Peter W Tse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Guided Waves ◽  
Plane Surface ◽  
Group Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Ultrasonic Inspection ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Wave Mode ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Waves ◽  
Inspection Method ◽  
Through Hole

Square steel tubes have been widely used in buildings and machines in civil engineering. The inspection of square tubes is becoming increasingly urgent and important to ensure the safety of these buildings and machines. However, the current most frequently used traditional ultrasonic inspection method is time-consuming and inefficient when dealing with long square tubes. There is an urgent need to develop an efficient approach to inspect square tubes. In this article, the use of ultrasonic guided waves is proposed. Phase and group velocity dispersion curves of square tube structures are first derived using the semi-analytical finite element method. An appropriate guided wave mode used for inspecting square tubes is selected. Ultrasonic guided waves propagating in normal, in-plane surface-damaged, and edge-damaged square tubes are numerically studied. It is illustrated that the monitoring points are able to receive reflected wave signals from both the in-plane surface and the edge damages. Experimental studies are also conducted to study ultrasonic guided waves interacting with circular through-hole damages located in surfaces and slot damages at edges. It is shown that both the circular through-hole damages located in different surfaces and slot damages at different edges can be clearly detected by reflected guided wave packets. It is found that the signal-to-noise ratios have been significantly improved after applying impedance matching to piezoelectric wafer transducers. The results have shown that ultrasonic guided waves are a promising and effective method for the inspection of square tubes.

scholarly journals Excitation and Propagation of Longitudinal L (0, 2) Mode Ultrasonic Guided Waves for the Detection of Damages in Hexagonal Pipes: Numerical and Experimental Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Xiang Wan ◽  
Meiru Liu ◽  
Xuhui Zhang ◽  
Hongwei Fan ◽  
Qinghua Mao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Guided Waves ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Special Kind ◽  
Dispersion Curves ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Waves ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Wave ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Through Hole

The hexagonal pipe is a special kind of tube structure. Its inner surface of the cross section is in the shape of circle, while the outer surface is hexagonal. It has functioned as an essential and critical part of a drill stem in a high-torque drill machine used in various resource exploitation fields. The inspection of a hexagonal pipe to avoid its failure and thus to ensure safe operation of a drilling machine is becoming increasingly urgent and important. In this study, the excitation and propagation of ultrasonic guided waves for the purpose of detecting defects in hexagonal pipes are proposed. Dispersion curves of hexagonal pipes are firstly derived by using semianalytical finite element method. Based on these dispersion curves, longitudinal L (0, 2) mode at 100 kHz is selected to inspect hexagonal pipes. A ring of piezoelectric transducers (PZTs) with the size of 25 mm × 5 mm ×0.5 mm is able to maximize the amplitude of L (0, 2) mode and successfully suppress the undesired L (0, 1) mode in the experiments. Numerical and experimental studies have shown that the displacement field of L (0, 2) mode at 100 kHz is almost uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction. Furthermore, L (0, 2) mode ultrasonic guided waves at 100 kHz are capable of detecting circular through-hole damages located in the plane and near the edge in a hexagonal pipe. Our study results have demonstrated that the use of longitudinal L (0, 2) mode ultrasonic guided wave provides a promising and effective alternative for the detection of defects in hexagonal pipe structures.

scholarly journals Numerical Study on Ultrasonic Guided Waves for the Inspection of Polygonal Drill Pipes

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 2128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Wan ◽  
Xuhui Zhang ◽  
Hongwei Fan ◽  
Peter W. Tse ◽  
Ming Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Guided Waves ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Drill Pipe ◽  
Ultrasonic Inspection ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Waves ◽  
Inspection Method ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Wave ◽  
Wave Technique ◽  
Drill Pipes

The polygonal drill pipe is one of the most critical yet weakest part in a high-torque drill machine. The inspection of a polygonal drill pipe to avoid its failure and thus to ensure safe operation of the drilling machine is of great importance. However, the current most frequently used ultrasonic inspection method is time-consuming and inefficient when dealing with a polygonal drill pipe, which is normally up to several meters. There is an urgent need to develop an efficient method to inspect polygonal drill pipes. In this paper, an ultrasonic guided wave technique is proposed to inspect polygonal drill pipes. Dispersion curves of polygonal drill pipes are firstly derived by using the semi-analytical finite element method. The ALID (absorbing layer using increasing damping) technique is applied to eliminate unwanted boundary reflections. The propagation characteristics of ultrasonic guided waves in normal, symmetrically damaged, and asymmetrically damaged polygonal drill pipes are studied. The results have shown that the ultrasonic guided wave technique is a promising and effective method for the inspection of polygonal drill pipes.

Ultrasonic Guided Wave Testing of Finned Tubing

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen M. Malinowski ◽  
Matthew S. Lindsey ◽  
Jason K. Van Velsor
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Tube Wall ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Waves ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Inspection Method ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Wave ◽  
Guided Wave Propagation ◽  
Wave Modes

In the past few decades, ultrasonic guided waves have been utilized more frequently Non-Destructive Testing (NDT); most notably, in the qualitative screening of buried piping. However, only a fraction of their potential applications in NDT have been fully realized. This is due, in part, to their complex nature, as well as the high level of expertise required to understand and utilize their propagation characteristics. The mode/frequency combinations that can be generated in a particular structure depend on geometry and material properties and are represented by the so-called dispersion curves. Although extensive research has been done in ultrasonic guided wave propagation in various geometries and materials, the treatment of ultrasonic guided wave propagation in periodic structures has received little attention. In this paper, academic aspects of ultrasonic guided wave propagation in structures with periodicity in the wave vector direction are investigated, with the practical purpose of developing an ultrasonic guided wave based inspection technique for finned tubing. Theoretical, numerical, and experimental methods are employed. The results of this investigation show excellent agreement between theory, numerical modeling, and experimentation; all of which indicate that ultrasonic guided waves will propagate coherently in finned tube only if the proper wave modes and frequencies are selected. It is shown that the frequencies at which propagating wave modes exist can be predicted theoretically and numerically, and depend strongly on the fin geometry. Furthermore, the results show that these propagating wave modes are capable of screening for and identifying the axial location of damage in the tube wall, as well as separation of the fins from the tube wall. The conclusion drawn from these results is that Guided Wave Testing (GWT) is a viable inspection method for screening finned tubing.

A Wall Thinning Detection and Quantification Based on Guided Wave Mode Conversion Features

2006 ◽  
Vol 321-323 ◽  
pp. 795-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youn Ho Cho ◽  
Won Deok Oh ◽  
Joon Hyun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Mode Conversion ◽  
Group Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Wave Mode ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Wall Thinning ◽  
Theoretical Analyses ◽  
Data Calibration

This study presents a feasibility of using guided waves for a long-range inspection of pipe through investigation of mode conversion and scattering pattern from edge and wall-thinning in a steel pipe. Phase and group velocity dispersion curves for reference modes of pipes are illustrated for theoretical analyses. Predicted modes could be successfully generated by controlling frequency, receiver angle and wavelength. The dispersive characteristics of the modes from and edge wall-thinning are compared and analyzed respectively. The mode conversion characteristics are distinct depending on dispersive pattern of modes. Experimental feasibility study on the guided waves was carried out to explore wall thinning part in pipe for data calibration of a long range pipe monitoring by comb transducer and laser.

Study on Ultrasonic Guided Waves in Fluid-Filled Pipes Surrounded by Water

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijiu Jin ◽  
Liying Sun ◽  
Guichun Liu ◽  
Yibo Li ◽  
Hong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Guided Waves ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Waves ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Waves ◽  
Fluid Loading ◽  
Inspection Method ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Wave ◽  
Oil Company ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Good Agreement

A new non-destructive pipe inspection method, ultrasonic guided wave method as well as the comparison between ultrasonics and guided waves is introduced. An investigation of the guided ultrasonic waves traveling along pipes with fluid loading on the inside and outside of the pipe is described. The effect of inner and outer media has been researched by considering a steel pipe with air and water inside and outside the experimental pipe. Site experiment was carried out on a heating pipe in the resident area of Bohai Oil Company, China. A typical cylindrical guided wave, longitudinal guided wave was used to examine pipes with artificial defects and its propagation characteristics along the pipe were studied. Good agreement has been obtained between the experiments and predictions for pipes with different loading on the pipe.

Mode Tuning of Guided Wave in a Seamless Stainless Steel Tube Using an Array Transducer

2005 ◽  
Vol 297-300 ◽  
pp. 2077-2082
Author(s):  
Young H. Kim ◽  
Sung Jin Song ◽  
Joon Soo Park ◽  
Jae Hee Kim ◽  
Heung Seop Eom
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Wave Mode ◽  
Steel Tube ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Waves ◽  
Stainless Steel Tube ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Mode Identification ◽  
Array Transducer

Ultrasonic guided waves have been widely employed for the long range inspection of structures such as plates and pipes. In ultrasonic guided waves, however, there are numerous modes with different wave velocities, so that the generation and detection of the appropriate wave mode of the guided wave is one of key techniques in the application of guided waves. In the present work, mode tuning using an array transducer was investigated with hardware implements. For this purpose, 8-channel ultrasonic pulser and their controller which enables sequential activation of each channels with given time delay were developed. Transmitter tuning, group velocity measurements, reciver tuning, mode identification and long range transmission testing were carried out. As a result, the selective tuning of wave mode can be achieved by changing the time interval between adjacent elements of an array transducer.

Development of Guided Wave Ultrasonic Inspection Method for Thick Composite Structures

2014 ◽  
Vol 592-594 ◽  
pp. 153-157
Author(s):  
U. Saikrishna ◽  
K. Srinivas ◽  
Y.L.V.D. Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Composite Structures ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Ultrasonic Inspection ◽  
Digital Signal ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Test Surface ◽  
Destructive Testing ◽  
Inspection Method ◽  
High Attenuation ◽  
Labview Software

Ultrasonic Non-destructive testing is a well known technique for inspecting fiber reinforced composite structures however; its capability is severely limited by the high attenuation in thick and multi layer structures. Guided wave ultrasonic inspection has been reported to be useful tool for quantitative identification of composite structures. It takes advantage of tailoring / generating desired ultrasonic wave modes (Symmetric and anti-symmetric) for improved transmission through the composite structure. For this, guided waves have to be generated selectively by precisely placing transducer at an angle to the test surface. Automation of two axis fixture for transmission and reception of transducers have to be used for avoiding manual errors. The captured signals have to be processed in order to extract useful information from the received ultrasonic signals. The proposed project aims at developing automated guided wave inspection methods along with digital signal processing for generating dispersion curves for thick composited. Using test laminates with implanted defects, methodology for thick composite inspection with guided wave ultrasonic’s will be established. For this data will be captured and analyzed using Labview software.

Crack detection in thick annular components using ultrasonic guided waves

2000 ◽  
Vol 214 (9) ◽  
pp. 1163-1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Qu ◽  
Y. H. Berthelot ◽  
L. J. Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Crack Detection ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Numerical Solutions ◽  
Ultrasonic Inspection ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Waves ◽  
Time Harmonic ◽  
Solution Methods ◽  
Wave Technique ◽  
Steady State Time

This paper provides an overview of a study on circumferential guided waves in a thick annulus. Both steady state, time-harmonic waves and transient waves are considered. Several solution methods are reviewed and numerical solutions are presented for the propagation of ultrasonic circumferential waves in a thick, curved, two-dimensional annular waveguide. The modal content of the signal and the displacement profiles across the wall thickness are investigated. These studies provide valuable guidance in selecting optimal parameters for use in applications of the guided wave technique to the detection of cracks on the inner surface of annular components. Experimental results show that the technique can be used on parts with complex geometries (e. g. the pitch shaft of a helicopter) to detect cracks that would not be detectable by standard ultrasonic inspection.

scholarly journals A Graphical Analysis Method of Guided Wave Modes in Rails

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xining Xu ◽  
Bo Xing ◽  
Lu Zhuang ◽  
Hongmei Shi ◽  
Liqiang Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Image Processing ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Wave Mode ◽  
Graphical Analysis ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Waves ◽  
Mode Shapes ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Processing Methods ◽  
Wave Modes

The cross-section of a rail has a complex geometry, and there are many propagating modes of ultrasonic guided waves in a rail. The analysis of mode shapes or the cross-sectional wave structure is of high significance to the design of an appropriate wave excitation approach for long-range defect detection of a rail. Traditionally, the semi-analytical finite elements (SAFE) method is used to obtain ultrasonic guided waves’ dispersion curves of a rail. Then, through solving the eigenvectors, it is able to calculate the displacement values of discrete nodes in three degrees of freedom (DOFs) and further obtain the wave structures. In this paper, a graphical analysis method of guided wave mode shapes is proposed. The displacements of each node in three DOFs are converted into Red Green Blue (RGB) image pixels, and the complex vibration vector data is expressed by an image. Therefore, the graphical analysis of mode shapes can be realized by using conventional image processing methods without the design of special data processing algorithms. This will improve the processing efficiency, and it is more intuitive and easier to analyze the vibration displacements represented by the image. The simulation results show that the proposed graphical analysis method can quickly and precisely locate the excitation position of the guided wave mode in the rail. By adopting image processing methods, such as the K-means clustering algorithm, the guided wave modes at a 35 kHz frequency in a rail are classified according to their mode shapes. Classification is essential for exploring the relations and fundamentals of vibrations in modes. The graphical analysis method proposed in this paper provides a novel method for the mode analysis of guided waves in rails.

scholarly journals Numerical Simulation on Micro-damage Detection In CFRP Composites Based on Nonlinear Ultrasonic Guided Waves

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Damage Detection ◽  
Composite Structures ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Second Harmonic ◽  
Wave Mode ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Reinforced Plastics ◽  
Matrix Cracks ◽  
Nonlinear Ultrasonic ◽  
Contact Acoustic Nonlinearity

Abstract. Micro-damages such as pores, closed delamination/debonding and fiber/matrix cracks in carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) are vital factors towards the performance of composite structures, which could collapse if defects are not detected in advance. Nonlinear ultrasonic technologies, especially ones involving guided waves, have drawn increasing attention for their better sensitivity to early damages than linear acoustic ones. The combination of nonlinear acoustics and guided waves technique can promisingly provide considerable accuracy and efficiency for damage assessment and materials characterization. Herein, numerical simulations in terms of finite element method are conducted to investigate the feasibility of micro-damage detection in multi-layered CFRP plates using the second harmonic generation (SHG) of asymmetric Lamb guided wave mode. Contact acoustic nonlinearity (CAN) is introduced into the constitutive model of micro-damages in composites, which leads to the distinct SHG compared with material nonlinearity. The results suggest that the generated second order harmonics due to CAN could be received and adopted for early damage evaluation without matching the phase of the primary waves.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document