A large-scale finite element program for over 10 million nodes are developed in two dimensional isotropic materials, for the detailed analysis of the complicated wave propagation behavior and of the detected waveform in the weldment.

The simulation result using this analysis program has corresponded good in the results of actual ultrasonic experiment with regard to the defect detection characteristics and waveform distortion on the weldment and the cladding. Then, it is recognized that this analysis program is effective for the evaluation of the wave propagation behavior in a weldment, and for the selection of the suitable examination methods and parameters.

Moreover, the possibility has obtained for the further large-scale analysis by the development of the hybrid analysis algorithm which combined the high-speed ray-tracing analysis method and the finite element method.