Simulating UT measurements from bolthole cracks

Analytical computer models of UT measurements are becoming more prominent in evaluating NDE methods – a process known as Model Assisted Probability of Detection, or MAPOD. As inspection requirements become more stringent, the respective models become more complex. An important application for aerospace structures involves inspection for cracks near boltholes in plate and layered structures. This paper describes a project to develop and validate analytical models for bolthole crack inspection, as well as to implement and demonstrate those models within an integrated graphical interface which can be used to simulate these inspections. The work involves a combination of approximate, paraxial, bulk-wave models as well as more rigorous, analytical models that include both bulk and surface/plate modes. The simpler models have greater flexibility and efficiency for handling complex geometry, while the more exact models are useful for benchmarking and assessing the accuracy of the paraxial versions. Model results will be presented for bolthole cracks in single layered components. Extensions of the models to multiple layers and to more complex geometries and materials will also be discussed.