(A) study on ultrasonic inspection of long steel pipes using lamb waves

Abstract

An ultrasonic inspection technique with use of Lamb waves was evaluated to detect and determine the exact location of flaws present in long steel pipes. Since multiple modes of Lamb waves are generated in the inspected pipes due to their dispersive characteristics, selection of a specific Lamb wave mode is very important for inspection of flaws. Experimental studies of flaw detectability with use of each Lamb wave mode, namely, $A_0$, $S_0$, $A_1$, and $S_1$ mode and their ultrasonic attenuation characteristics were conducted. Experimental results showed that $A_0$ mode is the most effective for detection and exact determination of the location of flaws. A lucite wedge containing water column that generates the $A_0$ Lamb wave mode was developed and used in the present inspection study. It was found that the ultrasonic beam divergence after its wrapping around once the inspected pipe interferes with exact determination of the location of flaws and that maximum reflection signals are obtained when the transducer is located axially offset from the straight line with the position of the flaw. The present study showed feasibility of ultrasonic inspection with use of Lamb waves for detection of flaws in several meters long insulated or inaccessible steel pipes.