Assessment of Inspection Systems Uncertainties in the RTID Project. From Concept to Application
R. Martínez-Oña, O. Carrillo, G. Bollini, Tecnatom, Spain; M. Saenz, A. Quiñones, ICAI, Spain
ABSTRACT
The RTID project requires the qualification of the inspection systems used for a range of designated components. This involves first an experimental demonstration that defects will be detected and sized with high reliability and within certain ranges. Then it requires reasoned assessment of inspection system uncertainties in regards to defects sizing. The objective of this paper is to present the models developed to assess the uncertainties of the inspection systems for Groups 2B and 3 in the framework of the RTID project. In order to develop the models two main subjects are analysed, first, the geometry of the component to be tested and, second, the error sources of the inspection system. The inspection system is broke down into its major components such as the mechanical scanner, ultrasonic probes, and data acquisition equipment. Then, mathematical functions are obtained based on the error sources independent variables. After that, the derivatives and the standard deviations are calculated and the final uncertainties computed. Representative study cases, with similar set up to the experimental demonstrations, have been defined and computed. The results from the study cases showed up that are within the established sizing targets and in conformity with the experimental results. In conclusion, a model to determine the uncertainties of inspection systems for RTID Groups 2B and 3 has been developed. The results of the model are in agreement with the experimental results. The use of this tool allows to analyse the performance of the inspection system and thus detect the issues for improvement.
Publication Source: 3nd International Conference on NDE in Relation to Structural Integrity for Nuclear and Pressurized Components, November 14-16, 2001, Seville Spain. Publisher: Tecnatom s.a. - [Homepage]
