Application and evaluation of two commercial softwares in the simulation of ultrasonic-based non- destructive testing of a welded component made of austenitic stainless steel

CIVA and Athena 2D are the two main codes employed for the simulation of ultrasonic non-destructive testing. CIVA is a 3D semi-analytical model which reliability has been widely demonstrated through various validation campaigns. Athena 2D is a 2D finite element code, which has shown high accuracy in 2D complex configurations. A coupled model, called CIVA-Athena 2D, has been implemented in CIVA software in order to combine the advantages of each. CIVA and CIVA-Athena 2D have been developed on the basis of some assumptions, which consequently leads to limitation in the domain of application. These assumptions and validation ranges of both simulation tools are reviewed. CIVA- Athena 2D appears to be particularly recommended for typical limitation cases of CIVA, such as small defects and complex fields. The reproduction of the austenitic stainless steel weld’s anisotropic and heterogeneous structure is particularly difficult in modelling, as well as the understanding of the various phenomena occurring in such a material. CIVA and CIVA-Athena 2D simulations, combined with the Ogilvy model for the description of the weld, are conducted in order to confirm the origin of echoes detected on site during the examination of a set-in branch pipe. The predictions allow to decide on the spurious character of theses echoes and corroborate that the propagation of the beam through the weld causes ultrasound disturbances. Moreover, CIVA and CIVA- Athena 2D both provide satisfying results compared to experimental ones