Detection and Sizing of Cracking from the Inner Surface

using ID Creeping Waves

Peter Hayward, Certification Board for Inspection Personnel
CBIP,New Zealand.
Contact
Abstract
Once an inner-diameter (ID) connected crack has been detected using a standard or specification scanning
requirements then the height of the crack needs to be evaluated. The initial process generally involves
scanning the item to the requirements of a standard such as AS 2207. The sizing methods in AS 2207 use
the dB drop methods e.g. 6dB and 20dB or the last significant echo method (LSE).
Another method that can be used for finding the height of the ID connected flaw is to apply the creeping
wave technique using a single crystal probe.
These methods of advanced flaw sizing technique use refracted longitudinal and shear waves to determine
the height of the crack.
The results obtained using the ID creeping wave technique can be evaluated using Tip Diffraction, BiModal, or High Angle longitudinal waves.
This paper will discuss the application of the above techniques and the results.
Keywords: Ultrasonic, welds, cracks, creeping waves, sizing
Introduction
The reliability of ultrasonic inspection for the detection, identification and sizing of flaws is of considerable
importance. To ensure the integrity of the structure or pressure equipment we need to consider the influence
the flaw type has on the design life where cracking is found. This is particularly significant when
previously unknown cracking is found during inspection surveys. This paper discusses the traditional
ultrasonic sizing methods and the more recent advanced methods using the creeping wave.
Ultrasonic inspection
Ultrasonic inspection is often used to determine if newly fabricated pressure equipment meets the
fabrication requirements. This also applies for in-service ultrasonic inspection when cracking and other
serious defects are suspected and need to be detected. While the location and characterisation of a reflector
is the first obstacle, the second is the sizing of the reflector once is has been found. This is a major factor
when the reflector is a crack and the results of the inspection are to be used to determine the equipment's
fitness for purpose. While the length of a surface breaking defect such as a crack can often be determined
by using one of the complementary NDT methods such as liquid penetrant or magnetic particle inspection
the determination of the crack height needs a reliable inspection method. When the crack is on the inner
surface of a pipe, tube or vessel and access to the inside surface is not possible both the length and height
need to be determined using a reliable NDT method. The evaluation of crack height is one of the more
controversial topics in ultrasonic flaw detection. The traditional sizing methods in conventional manual
ultrasonic inspection are the 6dB and 20dB methods along with the maximum amplitude and DGS.
The 6dB sizing method is practical and straightforward and is normally used when the reflector is wider
than the width of the impinging ultrasonic beam while the 20dB sizing method is used when the impinging
ultrasonic beam is wider than the reflector. The choice of which sizing method to use often depends on
operator preference. The 6dB sizing method is shown in FIG 1 below.

Fig 1:
The sizing methods using advanced techniques such as inside diameter (ID ) or outside diameter (OD)
creeping waves, bi-modal and refracted compression waves may be considered to be more accurate than the
traditional sizing methods. Using any of the sizing methods requires reflectors of a known length and
height, equipment of known performance and personnel suitably trained and qualified.

Fig 2:
The I.D. creeping wave probe is essentially a sub surface wave that runs along the inside surface of the
material being scanned. The creeping wave is produced, refer FIG 2 above, by using a probe that generates
a 30 shear wave, a 70 refracted compression (longitudinal) wave and a second 70 refracted compression
wave.
The probes used in this paper to produce creep waves were a WSY70-2 and a WSY70-4 single element
transducers. The probes of this design were developed in the 70's to inspect stainless steel welds and to
detect under cladding cracks in the nuclear, petrochemical and pulp and paper industries. Additionally a
45 shear wave probe and Bi-modal probes were also used. The above probes can be used to find and give
reliable initial information on the depth (height) of a crack as follows:

Direct compression (longitudinal) refracted wave, following a straightforward calibration technique, is

shown on the CRT (cathode ray tube) indicating the reflector is very deep, i.e. over half the material
thickness. (refer FIG 3)

The 30 shear wave hits the inside diameter (ID) or back wall of the specimen and mode converts into a
70 compression wave which in turn strikes the crack and then is reflected back to the probe. This route
gives the term used for these types of probes i.e. '30-70-70'(essentially a 31.5 shear wave). When the

reflected signal is returned to the probe it indicates as seen on the CRT that the reflector is half or greater
than the material thickness. (refer FIG 3)

When the shear wave hits the ID or back wall it also generates a creeping wave that runs along the inside
surface of the material until it strikes the reflector. It then runs up the reflector and gives a diffracted signal
from the tip of the reflector which in turn is detected by the probe and is shown on the CRT. This type of
signal indicates that the reflector is related to the ID. (refer FIG 3)

Fig 3:
Note: The above, FIG 3, shows the typical types of CRT presentation when all three of the signal responses
discussed above are shown on the CRT. The standing wave between 5 and 15 is not shown.
Prior to testing the effectiveness of this method of sizing the ultrasonic flaw detector was set up as
discussed below.
The initial calibration was done using a block of similar material and thickness with notches running from
the ID of 20%, 40%, 60% and 80%. The ID creeping wave and 30 - 70 - 70 signals were set to
approximately 40 and 50 on the CRT with the amplitude of the latter being adjusted to give a suitable
evaluation setting. This adjustment was necessary to control the base line noise level to around 5%.
The calibration method used permits the operator to classify the reflector as shallow, mid wall or higher.
Following this initial calibration the reflector heights of the test block were checked.
Results of trial blocks.
The test blocks, carbon steel 25mm thick, had induced cracks of varying heights, all of which were surface
braking on the ID (back wall). The blocks were scanned using the 30 - 70 - 70 probe and then evaluated for
height using a standard shear wave probe 45 and a twin crystal Bi-Modal probe. The results were recorded
as shown below and are reported in percentages of material thickness.
sample
A
B
C
D

45Tip Diffraction
40%
50%
32%
35%

Bi-Modal
50%
54%
49%
40%

Actual
55%
61%
43%
39%

E
F
G
H
I
J

35%
40%
7%
40%
45%
15%

48%
44%
ND
61%
52%
ND

52%
48%
9%
65%
52%
15%

Table 1:
The above results were evaluated using the conventional pulse echo 'A scan' presentation and also using
radio frequency (RF) presentation. The amplitude of the creeping wave signal relies upon the refracted
angle of the probe used. The greater the refracted angle the less gain is required, refracted compression
waves above 55will produce an ID creeping wave.
Results
From the above results the creeping wave can be used to size vertical planar reflectors emanating from the
ID with an accuracy of better than 15%. If the material being scanned is divided into zones, the following
criteria may be used:

Apply the preferred sizing method to each individual zone.

Use the ID creeping wave method to place the reflector height in the lower third, middle third and upper
third of the material. This operation is very important if the preferred sizing method is to be applied.

Use the tip diffraction method to find vertical planar reflectors from 10% to;55% of the material thickness.
This is done using a 45 shear wave probe.

Use the bi-modal method to find vertical planar reflectors in the range of 20% to 80% of the material
thickness.

Use the refracted compression wave for planar reflector greater than 50% of the material thickness.

The greater the refracted angle the less gain is required.

When the reflector is not vertical the amplitude of the creeping wave reduces.

Welds will need to have their weld reinforcement removed.

The initial sizing is done using the half-skip method that will require weld reinforcements to be removed.
This technique will be of limited use, as a sizing method, if welds are left as welded. Operators need to be
trained in the various methods and be able to recognise the correct signal amongst the many low level
(noise) signals. The weld roots can produce spurious responses that may also need to be resolved.
Conclusion
This method of sizing is easy to apply and can be used to quickly determine the approximate height of the
reflector and may be more reliable than the traditional 6dB and 20dB methods because they are based upon
the arrival times of the echo. This can be very useful when the results of the traditional sizing methods are
being questioned.
Acknowledgements:
Contact Energy for loan of blocks and probes.

Materials and Testing for machining blocks.

New Zealand Welding Centre for the welded plates and blocks.
He author also wishes to thank CBIP, HERA and the NDTA for their support.
References:
1. Panametrics NDT Web Page - Detection and Sizing Techniques of I.D. Connected Cracking.
2. Davis M.J. advanced UT Sizing course - 2000
http://www.ndt.net/article/apcndt01/papers/466/466.htm