Recently Formed Nondestructive Evaluation Modeling and Simulation Center Already Yielding Results

The new capabilities being developed through the Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Modeling and Simulation Center are expect- ed to reduce the time, cost and complexity of approaches used to develop and demonstrate NDE techniques to meet regulatory requirements and industry commitments.

One of the ways in which modeling and simulation can improve inspection procedures is by condensing the number of physical parameters that need to be investigated. A few of the key elements that typically need to be defined in a single examination procedure include: inspection method, probe, wedge, beam angles and skews, time response window, inspection path and direction. Modeling and simulation can assess many combinations of these to determine the optimum configuration, without the need for a range of time-consuming experiments. In addition, modeling and simulation can be used to extend procedures qualified for one component to other similar components, eliminating the need to build mockups that can cost millions of dollars.