The CAD/NDE Interface — Designing for Inspectability

Abstract

In this paper, one approach to such a methodology for ultrasonic inspection will be described. This "tool" is an approximate, analytical model which simulates the probability of detection (POD) of small flaws in isotropic, elastic media for scanned ultrasonic pulse-echo measurements [1,2,3]. The model realistically treats the radiation from typical rigid piston- type ultrasonic transducers and propagation through curved fluid-solid interfaces [ 4,5]. Both crack-like and volumetric flaws can be modeled [6,7]. A "proof of principle" illustrative test application of this ultrasonic POD model in conjunction with a commercially available, full- featured computer-aided-design (CAD) package [8] has been performed and will be reponed here. Implementation of computer models for other NDE techniques, such as x-ray radiography [9] and eddy current inspection [10] is also in progress and similar CAD/NDE applications for these methods are being developed. CADINDE