Coping with failed elements on an array: a modelling approach to the technical justification

• Published in: Insight (Northampton) Vol. 52; no. 7; pp. 372 - 379
• Main Author: Nageswaran, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Northampton British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing 01.07.2010
• Subjects: Acoustical measurements and instrumentation; Acoustics; Applied sciences; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Failed Elements; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Industrial metrology. Testing; Materials science; Materials testing; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Modelling; Phased Array; Physics; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Technical Justification; Ultrasonic; Phased array; Acoustic measurement; Non destructive test; Modeling; Ultrasonic control; Rupture
• ISSN: 1354-2575; 1754-4904
• DOI: 10.1784/insi.2010.52.7.372

Ultrasonic inspections using array probes programmed to manipulate the field to focus and steer the sound energy are now widely applied in key industries to ensure the integrity of expensive and critical components or structures. These phased array probes are often fragile when used in field inspections and the failure of elements on the array can be an expensive affair, not just in terms of financial cost but also the implications towards the integrity of the inspection. This paper provides a technical justification for dealing with failed elements and aims to establish the tolerable limits through the use of modelling.