Quantitative model-based approaches to inspectability and reliability

In current nondestructive testing practice, inspectability issues are normally treated from an empirical standpoint. Unfortunately, there are severe limitations to this approach, both in terms of cost and the ability to reliably and quantitatively determine cause-and-effect relationships. It is now possible, however, to develop a new approach to NDE inspectability that relies on a combination of models and standardized experiments. This new method is made possible by the development of NDE software measurement models that are able to predict the signals seen in NDE tests and that can be used to quantitatively study the effects of various measurement parameters on those signals. To date, such measurement models have been developed for three of the major NDE methods - ultrasonics, eddy currents, and radiography. Another recent development has been the linking of these NDE models to CAD and the subsequent development of CAD-based NDE simulators. It will be shown how these new NDE tools can now provide design, manufacturing, and in-service inspection teams with quantitative tools for addressing inspectability and reliability issues within a comprehensive unified life-cycle engineering environment.