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Radiography is an extensively used NDT method, especially in nuclear, aerospace and automotive industries where optimal designs call for greater reliability. The rules corresponding to industrial radiography are defined in a system of radiographic standards. The standards related to the radiographic testing of metallic welded joints had been harmonised in all over the Europe and at the end in 1997, the standard &quot / EN 1435&quot / was established and published. Since then, this standard has become the most widely used standard where the radiographic applications are necessary. To eliminate the person based errors during application of the standard, moreover to save time, cost and effort in radiographic exposures, in this study it was aimed to write a computer program which is able to calculate all necessary parameters for a radiographic exposure related to this standard EN 1435. In the programming stage, Visual Basic 6.0 &amp / #61651 / was used. The program consists of many windows, each giving and controlling separate parameters related to the exposure. Besides giving all the needed parameters, the evolved program is able to prepare a report with these parameters. So, both radiography technicians and experts can use it. It is believed that this study constructs a basis for developing other computerised test procedures for any kind of non-destructive testing methods used in industry today.

Optical interferometric techniques are being increasingly used in industry. These non contact techniques, using laser methods based on speckle interferometry, assure a greater accuracy in measuring displacements caused by deformations. One such technique, Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI), has been used successfully, by analysis of the reaction of mechanical components to induced mechanical or thermal stress, for the measurements of in-situ, real time, full-field, in-plane and out-of-plane displacements and the detection of detachments, micro-cracks occurring as internal and external defects.

This research focuses on the theoretical analysis, development and experimental evaluation of a water cooled Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) specifically designed for high-temperature Guided Wave Testing (GWT). Its novel design and detailed calculation of its optimum operating conditions resulted in its effectiveness at high temperatures for both short (500oC) and long-term inspection (250oC). All the steps followed for the theoretical and experimental investigation of the limitations of the existing technology and the development of a probe that can overcome these boundaries are presented. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was performed for the optimization of the EMAT design and estimation of its ultrasonic and thermal properties at room and high temperatures over time. The wave mode purity profile of the Periodic Permanent Magnet (PPM) EMAT was theoretically studied as well as the effect of temperature rise on its ultrasonic performance. Thermal and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis was accomplished for the EMAT design optimization and calculation of its optimum operating conditions. The experimental validation of the theoretical study was also accomplished. The novel water cooled EMAT was developed and experimentally evaluated regarding its ultrasonic and thermal response at room and high temperatures. An empirical method for the enhancement of EMAT performance and its SNR was established. The wave mode purity characteristics of PPM EMAT were experimentally investigated via Laser vibrometry tests, which agreed with FEA results. The impedance analysis and ultrasonic evaluation of the EMAT at both room and high temperatures against various operating conditions were linked and compared to the results obtained from the ultrasonic, thermal and fluid FEA. In all cases, the experimental study is in good agreement with the theoretical results.

La recherche de défauts dans les matériaux est un sujet complexe et important, en particulier lorsque la sécurité est en jeu comme dans le domaine aéronautique. Cette thèse s’inscrit dans cette problématique et s’organise en deux parties. La première partie est dédié à la détection des défaut dans les composites carbones par trois nouvelles méthodes radiofréquences permettant de détecter, en particulier, les impacts sur les peaux des composites carbones. La deuxième partie est consacrée à la détection des infiltrations d’eau dans les composites alvéolaires par une méthode multiphysique couplant une onde hydraulique non linéaire et une détection par un RADAR CW.

La Multi-Channel Acquisition of Surface Waves (MASW) est devenu populaire depuis quelques années pour l'auscultation non destructive de milieux tabulaires naturels ou artificiels (Béton). Cette méthode, basée sur le comportement dispersif des ondes de surface, comporte deux étapes principales. Une courbe de dispersion des vitesses de phase des ondes de surface est, dans un premier temps, extraite d'un sismogramme par une transformée du champ d'onde (transformée p-?). L'inversion de cette dernière conduit enfin à une interprétation du milieu ausculté sous la forme d'un profil 1D des vitesses de propagation des ondes transverses en fonction de la profondeur. Cette dissertation propose une évaluation de la faisabilité de l’utilisation de la MASW pour le contrôle non destructif de structures souterraines. Cette étude s’est focalisée à évaluer puis à procéder aux différentes modifications nécessaires pour son utilisation en milieu présentant une surface concave (surface très répandue dans les structures de type galeries, tunnel ou puits) / Multi-Channel Acquisition of Surface Waves (MASW) has become very popular in recent years for non destructive testing of both layered natural and artificial (concrete) media. This method, based on the dispersive behaviour of surface waves, consists of two major steps. A phase velocity dispersion curve is first extract from the seismogram using a wave field transform (p-? transform). Then the inversion of this latter produces a 1D interpretation of the medium in terms of transverse wave velocities versus depth. While these two major steps of the method are well-documented for plane stratified media, it’s not the case when the investigated structure has a complex geometry. This dissertation deals with the evaluation of the feasibility to use MASW for non destructive evaluation of underground structures. After a brief survey of the problems that could be encountered with tunnel non destructive evaluation, this study focuses to determine and then proceed to the modifications needed to adapt the method for a concave geometry structure use

Nondestructive evaluation of civil structures is of increasing interest to utility owners. Several methods exist to evaluate different properties of concrete, pavement, cemented sands and others. UPVM is the most commonly used ultrasonic technique in civil structures due to its simplicity and ease of use. UPVM is fast and requires minimal skill from operators. It has been used for flaw detection, study of material contents, deduction of general deterioration, determination of elastic properties , measurement of strength, and others. In such applications, accurate measurements of velocity are essential for proper parameter evaluation and thus to increase the validity of conclusions obtained from measurements. Previous research in ultrasonic pulse velocity have found that UPVM are susceptible to specimen size, attenuation and frequency but no clear conclusions have yet to be made on the fundamental reason for the differences. This work seeks to identify the main factors responsible for velocity differences due to specimen size and measuring frequency in civil engineering materials. The effects are investigated by first performing numerical simulations of concrete specimens of varying sizes, and properties, excited by both a low (55 kHz) and high (850 kHz) frequency input source. Simulations are used to model wave propagation in cylindrical concrete specimen. Transducer sound fields are also numerically studied using known analytical solutions. An experimental program is conducted to study variations in UPVM in 12 mortar and 11 concrete cylindrical specimens of varying widths and heights caused by different measuring frequencies. Simulations are completed for 12 specimen of different dimensions having heights of 5,10,20 and 30 cm as well as diameters of 10, 20 and 30 cm. Both a low (f = 55 kHz) and high (f = 850 MHz) frequency input source are used on each specimen. Numerical simulations using low frequencies are made for both a damped and undamped series of specimen. Results from low frequency simulations of damped models indicate that wave attenuation can lead to significant errors in first arrivals when complex wave interference is present. Conditions for wave interference at the receiver location are studied and minimum size conditions for both height and width are derived. These conditions guarantee proper pulse separation for UPVM and are dependent on source size, and source pulse width. It is argued that with proper use these conditions will lead to accuracy of measurement better than one quarter of a period of the main excitation frequency when using a full waveform and a skilled operator. Finally, experiments are performed to assess differences in first arrivals between high and low frequency measurements. Readings are made on 11 mortar and 12 concrete specimen of different heights and widths. Experimentally significant time differences are observed between high and low frequency readings. It is found that differences in first arrivals will increase with specimen length but differences in velocity will decrease with length. Specimens 4 wavelengths in height are deemed sufficient to diminish surface effects to a minimum provided the specimens are healthy (e.g. no internal flaws). Any increase past 4 wavelengths is found to have negligible effects on measured velocity in healthy specimens.

Nondestructive evaluation of civil structures is of increasing interest to utility owners. Several methods exist to evaluate different properties of concrete, pavement, cemented sands and others. UPVM is the most commonly used ultrasonic technique in civil structures due to its simplicity and ease of use. UPVM is fast and requires minimal skill from operators. It has been used for flaw detection, study of material contents, deduction of general deterioration, determination of elastic properties , measurement of strength, and others. In such applications, accurate measurements of velocity are essential for proper parameter evaluation and thus to increase the validity of conclusions obtained from measurements. Previous research in ultrasonic pulse velocity have found that UPVM are susceptible to specimen size, attenuation and frequency but no clear conclusions have yet to be made on the fundamental reason for the differences. This work seeks to identify the main factors responsible for velocity differences due to specimen size and measuring frequency in civil engineering materials. The effects are investigated by first performing numerical simulations of concrete specimens of varying sizes, and properties, excited by both a low (55 kHz) and high (850 kHz) frequency input source. Simulations are used to model wave propagation in cylindrical concrete specimen. Transducer sound fields are also numerically studied using known analytical solutions. An experimental program is conducted to study variations in UPVM in 12 mortar and 11 concrete cylindrical specimens of varying widths and heights caused by different measuring frequencies. Simulations are completed for 12 specimen of different dimensions having heights of 5,10,20 and 30 cm as well as diameters of 10, 20 and 30 cm. Both a low (f = 55 kHz) and high (f = 850 MHz) frequency input source are used on each specimen. Numerical simulations using low frequencies are made for both a damped and undamped series of specimen. Results from low frequency simulations of damped models indicate that wave attenuation can lead to significant errors in first arrivals when complex wave interference is present. Conditions for wave interference at the receiver location are studied and minimum size conditions for both height and width are derived. These conditions guarantee proper pulse separation for UPVM and are dependent on source size, and source pulse width. It is argued that with proper use these conditions will lead to accuracy of measurement better than one quarter of a period of the main excitation frequency when using a full waveform and a skilled operator. Finally, experiments are performed to assess differences in first arrivals between high and low frequency measurements. Readings are made on 11 mortar and 12 concrete specimen of different heights and widths. Experimentally significant time differences are observed between high and low frequency readings. It is found that differences in first arrivals will increase with specimen length but differences in velocity will decrease with length. Specimens 4 wavelengths in height are deemed sufficient to diminish surface effects to a minimum provided the specimens are healthy (e.g. no internal flaws). Any increase past 4 wavelengths is found to have negligible effects on measured velocity in healthy specimens.

La recherche de défauts dans les matériaux est un sujet complexe et important, en particulier lorsque la sécurité est en jeu comme dans le domaine aéronautique. Cette thèse s’inscrit dans cette problématique et s’organise en deux parties. La première partie est dédié à la détection des défaut dans les composites carbones par trois nouvelles méthodes radiofréquences permettant de détecter, en particulier, les impacts sur les peaux des composites carbones. La deuxième partie est consacrée à la détection des infiltrations d’eau dans les composites alvéolaires par une méthode multiphysique couplant une onde hydraulique non linéaire et une détection par un RADAR CW. / Detecting default inside material is a complex and important topic, particularly when the safety is at riske like for instance in the aeronautic field. This phd thesis is divided in two parts. In a first part, mainly we will present three new RF methods allowing to detect, for example, impact damages on carbon composite skins. In a second part we will present a new method aimed to detect water ingress in cellular composite. This new method is based on the interaction of a nonb-linear water wawe with a RADAR