An SVM Approach to Crack Shape Reconstruction in Eddy Current Testing

Nondestructive testing techniques for diagnosis in solid materials can be carried out in three steps: defect detection, location and characterization. The actual solutions allow defect detection and location, but the defect characterization in terms of exact determination of the shape and dimension is still an open question. The present paper proposes a methodology for the reliable estimation of crack shape and dimensions in conductive materials using an integrate eddy current and support vector machine based approach implemented in a suitable measurement station. After design and tuning stages, an experimental validation phase carried out on a number of specimen with different known crack confirms the goodness of the proposed approach