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In eddy current nondestructive testing (EC-NDT) of a multilayer riveted structure, rotating current excitation, generated by orthogonal coils, is advantageous in providing sensitivity to defects of all orientations. The signal of a defect is not only a function of its size but also of the geometrical features in vicinity to the rivet such as edges, adjacent rivets and properties of the layered structure. Numerical models can be used to provide fast and accurate estimates of defect signals. In this paper the sensitivity of the eddy current system with rotating current excitation and GMR sensors is evaluated by considering the effect of rivet permeability, lift-off, thickness of first layer as well as defect orientation related to adjacent rivets and edges on the signal measured. A numerical model capable of simulating these combinations of defect and test geometry parameters at an acceptable computation time is used. A meta-model is developed based on these simulation results and utilized for sensitivity evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2D model of the eddy current interaction problem that consists of an inhomogeneity in a conductive half space is presented. The applied analytical method of solution is the transition (T) matrix method. This involves use of the free space Green's function to generate a system of boundary integral relations. In this way, it is easy to identify the contributions to the total solution from each different scattering surface. The different parts are separated also in the computation of the impedance. This leads to low cost simulations in terms of computation time and qualify the method to be used to obtain probability of detection (POD) curves. The T matrix method is a building block method and the possibility to extend the geometry with several inhomogeneities and extra layers will be discussed. The model is compared with a Finite Element (FE) model and numerical examples for the case with a cylindrical inhomogeneity are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]