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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]

The modeling of U-Bend segment in steam generator tubes for predicting eddy current probe signals from cracks, wear and pitting in this region poses challenges and is non-trivial. Meshing the geometry in the cartesian coordinate system might require a large number of elements to model the U-bend region. Also, since the lift-off distance between the probe and tube wall is usually very small, a very fine mesh is required near the probe region to accurately describe the eddy current field. This paper presents a U-bend model using differential geometry principles that exploit the result that Maxwell's equations are covariant with respect to changes of coordinates and independent of metrics. The equations remain unaltered in their form, regardless of the choice of the coordinates system, provided the field quantities are represented in the proper covariant and contravariant form. The complex shapes are mapped into simple straight sections, while small liftoff is mapped to larger values, thus reducing the intrinsic dimension of the mesh and stiffness matrix. In this contribution, the numerical implementation of the above approach will be discussed with regard to field and current distributions within the U-bend tube wall. For the sake of simplicity, a two dimensional test case will be considered. The approach is evaluated in terms of efficiency and accuracy by comparing the results with that obtained using a conventional FE model in cartesian coordinates. [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]