Study on problems in detecting plural cracks by alternating flux leakage testing using 3D nonlinear eddy current analysis

The alternating magnetic flux leakage testing is used for the detection of cracks in a steel plate. A new technique of how to detect plural cracks, which are located at a very short distance from each other, using the parallel (x-) component of the leakage flux density is proposed. The behavior of leakage flux is examined using a three-dimensional edge-based hexahedral finite-element method. The effects of dimensions of search coils and cracks on the detection accuracy are illustrated.