Ultrasonic NDE System Modeling and Reliability – An Overview

Over the past two and a half decades there has been considerable progress made in the modeling of ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) inspections. These models have also been combined with models of the noise and variability present in an inspection to estimate probability of detection (POD) versus flaw size curves. An overview will be given of the past and present accomplishments made in ultrasonic NDE modeling, POD modeling, and the relationship of those advances to reliability modeling that incorporates explicitly the results of inspections. A brief look into the future of this modeling technology will also be given.