Non-destructive testing Core Research Programme: current projects

Core research at TWI is funded by technology access fees from Industrial Members in order to develop a knowledge and skills base for transfer into industry.
For information on how your company may benefit from the work, please contact twi_industrial@twi.co.uk.

0401-7 Guided wave phased array technology for assessing corrosion in pipelines

Objectives

• To find the most effective techniques for focussing guided waves into one region of the pipe.
• To determine the scope of the focussing technique for a range of pipe geometries.
• To assess the potential for sizing corrosion defects using modelling techniques for focussing of guided waves.

0401-10 Structural health monitoring for welded joints

Objectives

• To select SHM systems suitable for welded structures.
• To test candidate systems by laboratory testing of welded components and field trials.
• To provide guidance on the attributes and effectiveness of systems applicable to welded structures.

0401-14 Development of digital radiography for flexible risers

Objectives

• To determine the suitability of X-ray techniques for the inspection and condition assessment of unbonded flexible risers.
• To develop techniques and guidance to enable digital X-ray to be selected and applied to inspection and condition assessment tasks.

0401-15 Validation of theoretical models for focussed/phased array ultrasonic inspection of clad pipes

Objectives

• To validate theoretical models for focussed and/or phased array ultrasonic techniques for the inspection of clad pipes.
• To demonstrate detection performance of focussed and/or phased array ultrasonic techniques for clad pipe.

0401-16 Development of NDT techniques for adhesive joints

Objectives

• To develop the modelling capability for air coupled ultrasonic inspection of adhesively bonded joints (metal to metal and plastic to plastic).
• To provide guidance on the application of air coupled ultrasonic techniques to adhesively bonded joints.

0401-17 Effective application of TOFD methods for weld inspection at the manufacturing stage of pressure vessels

Objectives

• To assess and compare the performance of TOFD procedures with conventional NDT, for use as a stand-alone technique for the detection and sizing of flaws in ferritic steel welds.
• To develop appropriate flaw acceptance criteria for TOFD.
• To contribute to European standardisation of TOFD for inspection of welds, including a recommended framework for training and certification of operators.

0401-18 Piezodiagnostics - smart structural diagnostics using piezo-generated elastic waves

Objectives

• To develop a smart piezo-diagnostics technology with the potential of long distance operation (wave propagation for distances greater than 1km) thereby overcoming the requirement for close proximity between the wave-generator, sensors and potential defects.
• To develop an associated data processing methodology enabling real-time monitoring, multi-damage detection and it s precise identification (dispersed locations and intensities).
• To develop a prototype installation for remote monitoring.
• To evaluate the developed monitoring system, in laboratory and industrial conditions.