Models for the computation of ultrasonic fields and their interaction with defects in realistic NDT configurations Original Research Article

Developments in quantitative ultrasonic non-destructive testing (subsequently denoted by NDT) require simulation tools for cost-effective research and engineering works. The present paper reviews the two models developed for several years at the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) for this purpose. The first one is dedicated to the computation of the ultrasonic field radiated by arbitrary transducers into pieces under examination. The second simulates actual testing configurations, that is, includes beam/defect interaction as well as the transducer scan over the piece so as to synthesise images typical of those actually measured in NDT experiments. Examples of their application in the context of nuclear engineering are given. They demonstrate the usefulness of such modelling tools in ultrasonic NDT either to study and optimise testing configurations, including transducer design or to help NDT-experts to interpret actual data, possibly by means of model-based automatic data inversion.