Long Range Ultrasonic Guided Waves for Pipelines Inspection

Á. Angulo[1], Dr. S. Soua[1]
[1]TWI Ltd, Cambridge, UK
Published in 2014

The evaluation of defect size and nature are two most controversial topics in ultrasonic flaw detection. The operation consists of an application of ultrasonic waves to pipes in order to detect metal loss and other defects in the pipe wall due to corrosion and other degradation processes. These waves are transmitted along the pipe by rings of transducers attached to the outer or inner surfaces. Defective areas produce reflections which are picked up by the transducer so that defects can be detected.

Sizing in particular can be a confusing subject, with various techniques being advocated or condemned by many experts in the field. The simulation is used to interpret and process the obtained signals.