SCATTERING OF GUIDED WAVES FROM COMPLEX DEFECTS IN PLATES IN PIPES

Guided ultrasonic waves are successfully employed for rapid screening of plate-like structures and pipelines. Imaging techniques allow to identify and localize areas of the structure with possible defects. However, inverse problem of defect characterization and sizing still represents a considerable challenge. In this paper the efficient FE model is used to simulate the scattering response from various corrosion defects with complex realistic depth and surface profiles. The data is then analyzed in order to determine the defect geometrical parameters (lateral size, depth, etc). The results of analysis are presented and its implications to practical remote defect characterization are discussed.