Development of Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing Acceptability Criteria : (Phase II) [TechBrief]

015430102014PDFTech ReportFHWA-HRT-14-075;HRDI-60/10-14(50)DTFH61-08-D-000014Acceptance testsButt weldsFlaw detectionQuality assuranceQuality controlSteel pipeCorrosionNondestructive testsPhased-array ultrasonic testingUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationTurner-Fairbank Highway Research CenterUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationTurner-Fairbank Highway Research CenterGhasemi, HamidFederal Highway AdministrationThe preliminary technical approach and scan plans developed during phase I of this research was implemented on testing four butt-weld specimens. The ray path analysis carried out to develop the scan plans and the preliminary data analysis indicated the need to carry out a minimum of two scans at different index points to enable complete volume coverage of the weld, particularly for thick weld specimens. The results also indicated the presence of defects (mainly lack of fusion, porosity, and cracks) in each of the four test specimens. The analysis of each defect to determine the size using the 6 dB drop method has been pursued in phase II of this research, and the results have been compared with the quality assurance/quality control (conventional ultrasonic testing (UT) and radiographic testing (RT) results provided by the fabricators. In addition, the inspections were carried out using 5 and 2.25 MHz phased-array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) probes. This report details the work carried out in phase II, which involved the fabrication of additional transition butt-weld specimens that will be used in phase III of this study