AUT Inspection Principle
Introduction
MUT/PAUT + Tandem +TOFD + Creep Wave
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Zonal discrimination concept
Easy AUT set-up and configuration
Meet requirements of API 1104, DNV FS101, E1961 etc
Automated and/or manual data acquisition and evaluation
Built-in Reporting
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT Inspection Principle
AUT Inspection is base on
- Weld Bevel Configuration
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- Pulse Echo Technique
- Zone Concept
- Gate Setting
- Mapping
- TOFD
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT Inspection Principle
Zone Concept
- Wall thickness divided into depth zones
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- Based on given specification
- Based on WPS
- Based on bevel orientation
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT Inspection Principle
Zone identification Discontinuity
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2nd fill Solidification crack
6
and cap 1st and 2nd fill
5 1st fill Nonfusion 1st fill
4 Hot pass (upper)
3 Hot pass (lower)
2
Lack of cross
Land for cross penetration
penetration
1 Root
Root bead porosity
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT
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Zone Concept
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
Zone Discrimination Concept
The weld is divided into zones that can be defined by vertical intervals of
the through-wall dimension.
Using a multiple beam configuration from both sides of the weld allows for
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the complete volume plus the heat-affected zone (HAZ) to be inspected in a
single pass.
This technique can actually meet the requirements of ASME pressure
vessel and piping weld inspection.
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT Zone Discrimination Concept
Introduction
Weld is divided in to small zones (1-3mm)
Each zone has its own reflector
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Reflector size based on applicable specification
Narrow Band
A single beam is generated to cover each zone
Tandem technique is to hit narrow bevel correctly
Sensitivity per zone based on per describe reflector size
Each zone has its own group of element instead of one probe for the full bevel
Each group of element /probe will focus on one particular zone
Strip chart for each beam is used for rapid detection and sizing
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT Zone Concept Contd.....
Scanning Principle
Probe configuration in one frame for inspection of the weld in one
circumferential scan
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Volumetric Coverage
Wall thickness of pipe divided into depth zone, related to the weld
configuration
Amplitude and transit distance recording with a time gate
Amplitude based upon the direct reflection with beam perpendicular
as possible to defect orientation
Select of probe angles related to weld bevel configuration
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
INTERNATIONL ACADEMY OF NDT AUT Zone Concept Contd.....
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT Zone Concept Contd....
Distance / time base calibration MUT vs. AUT
MUT - Distance calibration is critical, must be able to
measure accurately to locate defects. Distance changes as
probe is raster scanned
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Defect depth and amplitude changes with raster scanning
AUT – Distance remains fixed, DAC less involved
Gate is limited to a known depth (zone)
Confirmed with TOFD, mapping and adjacent zones
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT Zone Concept Contd....
Why are zones used?
Allows fixed transit distance instead of vector scanning
(MUT vs. AUT)
Allows zonal sizing
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Minimizes the effects of DAC
Allows different angles for different zones
Allows different criteria for different zones
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
Zone Concept – Bevel configuration
J
CRC
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V
K
U
X
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT Common Bevel configuration
Modified J Bevel
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CRC Bevel
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
INTERNATIONL ACADEMY OF NDT AUT - Bevel configuration Contd....
V Bevel
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
INTERNATIONL ACADEMY OF NDT AUT - Bevel configuration Contd....
J Bevel
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
INTERNATIONL ACADEMY OF NDT AUT - Bevel configuration Contd....
Sub Arc (X) Bevel
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT - Zone Concept Contd..
Zone depths and heights are
dependent on a variety of
factors:
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Material Thickness
Welding Process
Bevel Design
Beam Profile
Codes and Specifications
Inspection Criticality
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT - Zone Concept Contd...
How and when are zones determined:
Zone dimensions and criteria are determined by authorized
personnel during the initial weld inspection plan setup
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Zone criteria are set out in the procedure, not to be altered
by field operators
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT - Zone Concept Contd...
What determines which angles are used in which zones:
Similar considerations as in conventional MUT
Weld bevel design is the primary consideration
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Type of defects being sought
Inspection angles are set out in the procedure, not to be
altered by field operators
Gates are set around each reflector for each zone
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT - Zone Concept Contd...
How do we calibrate for different zones?
Each zone has it’s own reflector, FBH or Notch
Each zone has matched reflectors on upstream and
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downstream sides of the weld
Each zone is inspected with dedicated channels, each
adjustable for gain, gates and displays
Each zone can be operated like an individual UT instrument
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT - Zone Concept Contd...
Cap
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Fill 3
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
INTERNATIONL ACADEMY OF NDT AUT - Zone Concept Contd...
Fill 2
Fill 1
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
INTERNATIONL ACADEMY OF NDT AUT - Zone Concept Contd...
Hot Pass
LCP
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT - Zone Concept Contd...
Root
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Volumetric
TOFD
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
INTERNATIONL ACADEMY OF NDT AUT – Sample Scan Plan
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
INTERNATIONL ACADEMY OF NDT AUT – Sample Scan Plan
Each zone scan plan is defined with respect to relevant reflector
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
INTERNATIONL ACADEMY OF NDT AUT Scanning sequences
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT - Symmetry of the strip chart presentation
US DS
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May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
INTERNATIONL ACADEMY OF NDT AUT - Displays Layout
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT - Displays Contd...
Three basic types of display in
AUT System
• A-scan shows the
amplitude in %FS and TD
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(gate start to signal)
• Mapping shows amplitude
in colour and TD of
multiple signals within the
gate
• TOFD or RF display
• AUT System can switch
between views
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT - Displays Contd...
Mapping
• Displays amplitude and
TD to the signals in the
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gate
• Amplitudes are shown as
colour
• TDs are displayed
relative to the gate and
can be read with the
cursor
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT - Displays Contd...
TOFD
• Displays none rectified
signal display
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• Positive amplitudes
displayed in shades of gray
to white
• Negative amplitudes
displayed in shades of gray
to black
• Displays all signal in the
gate
• Must be linearized
• Depth can be read only after
display is linearized
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT - Displays Contd...
General
• Each of these pictures
represents one “slice”
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through the weld
• Each weld scan is
made up of thousands
of these
• One “slice” is taken
every millimeter of
scanner travel
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
AUT
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Coupling
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
Coupling Monitoring
The purpose of coupling monitoring is several fold
Check that the transducers are in contact with the pipe
surface
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Check that transducers, cables are working
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
Coupling Monitoring Contd...
How does it work?
We set the system gates to monitor indications
Loss of these indications shows as red in the display
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AUT system can tell us where the problem occurred
AUT system can tell us which channel it occurred in
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
Coupling Monitoring Contd...
How does it work?
Use the PA controls to create
the angles needed
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Usually create two 0⁰ for each
PA transducer
Create one Tx to Rx angle
beam
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
Coupling Monitoring Contd...
Controls
Go to the Sequence tab
Select “Show Coupling” box
Right click “Coupling” area and add sequences as needed
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Use the PA controls to create the angles needed
Use gating to monitor selected indications
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
Coupling Monitoring Contd...
It is unlikely that you will get if
right the first attempt
Set the gain and gates on
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the cal block
Run a cal and see how it
works
Put the scanner at the
bottom of the pipe and
check again
Run a dry scan to see if
you have too much gain
Calibration scan coupling
display showing common
area in cal block
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
Coupling Monitoring Contd...
Information from coupling data
• Mechanical problems and Cable problems
• Surface problems and Geometry
• Lamination and Weld defects
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May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
Outline Internal Job Process
Work preparation based on WPS
Design of inspection zone based on weld bevel
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Design of calibration block and fix the reflectors for each zone
Pre-Selection of probes and focal law for each zone
Beam Spread Calculation
Define transit distance / Probe location from weld centerline
May 2018 No.5, Thirupughal Street, Kamakshi Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087
