• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2014

A two-dimensional numerical model based on the finite element method was built to simulate the wave propagation phenomena that occur during the ultrasonic time of flight diffraction (TOFD) process. First, longitudinal-wave TOFD was simulated, and the numerical results agreed well with the theoretical results. Shear-wave TOFD was also investigated because shear waves have higher intensity and resolution. The shear wave propagation was studied using three models with different boundary conditions, and the tip-diffracted shear-to-longitudinal wave was extracted from the A-scan signal difference between the cracked and non-cracked specimens. This signal showed very good agreement between the geometrical and numerical arrival times. The results of this study not only provide better understanding of the diffraction phenomena in TOFD, but also prove the potential of shear-wave TOFD for practical application.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.420-425
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• 1999

Time of flight diffraction(TOFD) method is used in nondestructive tests of piping and pressure vessels because of its advantages over a pulse echo technique: its speed, objectivity, repeatability and its insensitivity to specimen surface conditions and discontinuity orientation. But it is the one of weak points in TOFD method that it has the dead zone in sub-surface resolution induced by lateral waves. We solved the dead-zone problem near the sub-surface by using the deconvolution method and the developed ultrasonic testing system showed high performance.

• Journal of Power System Engineering
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.68-72
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• 2002

For the evaluation of a flaw in a welded stainless steel by the Time of Flight Diffraction(TOFD) Method, we have made the reference specimen for experimentation. As a result, we could analyze a specific character and the inner state of the structure in a welded stainless steel and we came to the conclusion as followed. (1) For analyze the structure state of a section in a welded stainless steel through the optical microscope, we could have analyzed the generated shape and the location of a flaw and the inner parts of the structure state through the microscope of eighty magnification and two hundred magnification about the soundness, the heat affected zone(HAZ) and the welded part. (2) Through the comparison with the shape and the size of a flaw in the welded part about the conventional ultrasonic test and the TOFD Method, we could make an observation the special character of the TOFD Method and principles. (3) We analyzed and collected the merit of the TOFD Method on the basis of the experimental result by the shape and the size of a flaw in the inner welded parts. So, we made up a base that we could use as a basic data for a similar flaw like that. Through the study as mentioned above, we could make an observation the flaw detective method and principles used in the TOFD Method.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.49 no.7
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• pp.1524-1536
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• 2017

During the fabrication process of reactor vessel head penetration (RVHP), the grain size of the tube material can be changed by hot or cold work and the inner side of the tube can also be shrunk due to welding outside of the tube. Several nonregular time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) signals were found because of deformed grains. In this paper, an investigation of nonregular TOFD indications acquired from RVHP tubes using experiments and computer simulation was performed in order to identify and distinguish TOFD signals by coarse grains from those by Primary Water Stress Corrosion Crack (PWSCC). For proper understanding of the nonregular TOFD indications, microstructural analysis of the RVHP tubes and prediction of signals scattered from the grains using Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation were performed. Prediction of ultrasonic signals from the various sizes of side drilled holes to find equivalent flaws, determination of the size of the nonregular TOFD indications from the coarse grains, and experimental investigation of TOFD signals from coarse grain and shrinkage geometry to identify PWSCC signals were performed. From the computer simulation and experimental investigation results, it was possible to obtain the nonregular TOFD indications from the coarse grains in the alloy 690 penetration tube of RVHP; these nonregular indications may be classified as PWSCC. By comparing the computer simulation and experimental results, we were able to confirm a clear difference between the coarse grain signal and the PWSCC signal.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.273-280
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• 2016

The simulation of nondestructive testing has been used in the prediction of the signal characteristics of various defects and in the development of the procedures. CIVA, a simulation tool dedicated to nondestructive testing, has good accuracy and speed, and provides a three-dimensional graphical user interface for improved visualization and familiar data displays consistent with an NDE technique. Even though internal validations have been performed by the CIVA software development specialists, an independent validation study is necessary for the assessment of the accuracy of the software prior to practical use. In this study, time of flight diffraction signals of ultrasonic inspection of a calibration block for reactor vessel head penetrations were simulated using CIVA. The results were compared to the experimentally inspected signals. The accuracy of the simulated signals and the possible range for simulation were verified. It was found that, there is a good agreement between the CIVA simulated and experimental results in the A-scan signal, B-scan image, and measurement of depth.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2008

In order to detect the internal defects which occur in welding parts of pressure vessel and structures, radiographic testing and ultrasonic testing is applied. However, because of the risks of radiation exposure and film processing, radiographic testing takes a relatively long time to verify the test results and it has affected in the production process. Typically, the manual ultrasonic testing is not easy to reproduce the result and it is highly dependent on the tester's skills. The TOFD technique, one of the automatic ultrasonic testings is spreading alternatively. This research describes the comparing test results by applying radiographic testing and TOFD technique to a mock-up specimen incruding the flaws. The TOFD technique will contribute to improve the objective reliability of the ultrasonic technique.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2014

A Failure or degradation of reactor upper head penetration is a recurring problem due to long term operation at nuclear power plants. And a flaw in the reactor upper head penetration has caused unplanned plant shutdown for repair as well as high economic impact on the plants. Consequently, a detection of flaws is of the utmost importance. Prior to the replacement of reactor upper head penetration, some utilities have repaired the flaws of reactor upper head penetration generated by overlay weld. Until now, only the base metal in reactor upper head penetration has been inspected according to 10 CFR 50.55a and ASME code case N-729-1. Accordingly, it is difficult to detect manufacturing defects and repair defects in overlay weld. This paper presents a case study on the application of Time of Flight Diffraction technique for reactor head penetration mockup with artificial flaws in overlay weld. This study offers a way to understand the flaws detected in reactor upper head penetration overlay weld.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.1-5
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• 2015

A failure or degradation of reactor upper head penetration is a troublesome problem at Nuclear Power Plants. A flaw in the reactor upper head penetration can result in unplanned plant shutdown for repair, and cause serious economic losses on the plants. Consequently, a detection of flaws is a matter of more importance. Until now, only the base metal, not including J-groove weld, in reactor upper head penetration has been inspected in accordance with 10 CFR 50.55a and ASME code case N-729-1 requirements. Accordingly, it is rather difficult to detect manufacturing defects and repair defects in J-groove weld. This paper presents a case study on the application of Time of Flight Diffraction UT technique to examine the J-groove weld in reactor head penetration using reactor head penetration mockup with artificial flaws. We expect that this study result will offer a way to understand the non-destructive examination technology for J-groove weld in reactor upper head penetration.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.216-227
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• 2005

The head penetrations for control rod drive mechanism and instrumentation systems are installed at the reactor pressure vessel head of PWRs. Primary coolant water and the operating conditions of PWR plants can cause cracking of these nickel-based alloy through a process called primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC). Inspection of the head penetrations to ensure the integrity of the head penetrations has been interested since reactor coolant leakages were found at U. S. reactors in 2000 and 2001. The complex geometry of the head penetrations and the very low echo amplitude from the fine, multiple flaws due to the nature of the see made it difficult to detect and size the flaws using conventional pulse-echo UT methods. Time-of-flight-diffraction technique, which utilizes the time difference between the flaw tips while pulse-echo does the flaw response amplitude from the flaw, has been selected for this inspection for it's best performance of the detection and sizing of the head penetration see flaws. This study defines the limits of the detectable and accurately sizable minimum flaw size which can be detected by the General TOFD and the Delta TOFD techniques for circumferentially and axially oriented flaws respectively. These results assures the reliability of the inspection techniques to detect and accurately size for various kind of flaws, and will also be utilized for the future development and qualifications of the TOFD techniques to enhance the detecting sensitivity and sizing accuracy of the flaws of the reactor head penetrations in nuclear power plants.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.597-606
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• 2019

Ultrasonic Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD) techniques are useful methods for non-destructive evaluation of fracture characteristics. This study focuses on the reliability and accuracy of ultrasonic diffraction methods to estimate the depth of rock fractures. The study material includes three different rock types; andesite, basalt and ignimbrite. Four different ultrasonic techniques were performed on these intact rocks. Artificial near-surface fracture depths were created in the laboratory by sawing. The reliability and accuracy of each technique was assessed by comparison of the repeated measurements at different path lengths along the rock surface. The standard error associated with the predictive equations is very small and their reliability and accuracy seem to be high enough to be utilized in estimating the depth of rock fractures. The performances of these techniques were re-evaluated after filling the artificial fractures with another material to simulate natural infills.