ELECTROMAGNETIC ADAPTIVE SENSORS ARRAY FOR NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF RIVETED JOINTS

Abstract

Non-destructive Testing (NDT) plays an important role in the safety of high-risk components and structures, as riveted joints in bridges, structural supports, aircraft parts, even old steam engine locomotives in entertainment touristic areas, as they are subdued to high vibrations during functioning. Inspection and maintenance must be increased to ensure safety and integrity of the structures in order to extend their lifetime and for proper functioning. Corrosion damage and fatigue cracks occurring between the sheets of riveted lap joints in these structures can be undetected at first glance. The electromagnetic nondestructive evaluation based on adaptive sensors array (ASA) is simulated using FDTD software in order to design and optimize it for detection of inhomogeneities with maximum probability of detection at high reliability coefficient.