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1. Scope 1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.1 This practice provides a procedure for the use of guided safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
wave testing (GWT), also previously known as long range responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ultrasonic testing (LRUT) or guided wave ultrasonic testing priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
(GWUT). bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 GWT utilizes ultrasonic guided waves, sent in the axial 2. Referenced Documents
direction of the pipe, to non-destructively test pipes for defects
or other features by detecting changes in the cross-section 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
and/or stiffness of the pipe. E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestruc-
1.3 GWT is a screening tool. The method does not provide tive Testing
a direct measurement of wall thickness or the exact dimensions E1065 Guide for Evaluating Characteristics of Ultrasonic
of defects/defected area; an estimate of the defect severity Search Units
however can be provided. E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
1.4 This practice is intended for use with tubular carbon E1324 Guide for Measuring Some Electronic Characteris-
steel or low-alloy steel products having Nominal Pipe size tics of Ultrasonic Examination Instruments
(NPS) 2 to 48 corresponding to 60.3 to 1219.2 mm (2.375 to 48 3. Terminology
in.) outer diameter, and wall thickness between 3.81 and 25.4
mm (0.15 and 1 in.). 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.5 This practice covers GWT using piezoelectric transduc- 3.1.1 circumferential extent—the length of a pipe feature in
tion technology. the circumferential direction, usually given as a percentage of
1.6 This practice only applies to GWT of basic pipe the pipe circumference.
configuration. This includes pipes that are straight, constructed 3.1.2 coherent noise—indications caused by real disconti-
of a single pipe size and schedules, fully accessible at the test nuities causing a background noise, which exponentially de-
location, jointed by girth welds, supported by simple contact cays with distance.
supports and free of internal, or external coatings, or both; the 3.1.3 Cross-Sectional Area Change (CSC)—the CSC is
pipe may be insulated or painted. calculated assuming that a reflection is purely caused by a
1.7 This practice provides a general procedure for perform- change in cross-section. It is given as a percentage of the total
ing the examination and identifying various aspects of particu- cross-section. However it is commonly used to report the
lar importance to ensure valid results, but actual interpretation relative amplitude of any signal regardless of its source.
of the data is excluded. 3.1.4 Distance Amplitude Correction (DAC) curve—a ref-
1.8 This practice does not establish an acceptance criterion. erence curve plotted using reference reflections (for example,
Specific acceptance criteria shall be specified in the contractual weld reflections) at different distances from the test position.
agreement by the responsible system user or engineering entity. This curve corrects for attenuation and amplitude drops when
1.9 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded estimating the cross-section change from a reflection at a
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical certain distance.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only 3.1.5 Estimated Cross Sectional Loss (ECL)—this is some-
and are not considered standard. times used instead of Cross-Sectional Area Change, where the
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1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde-
2
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.10 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Specialized NDT Methods. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved July 15, 2011. Published July 2011. DOI:10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
E2775-11. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
FIG. 1 Typical GWT Results Collected in Normal Environment (Top) and in High Ambient Noise Environment (Bottom). (Both results are
displayed in the logarithmic amplitude scale.)
3.1.6 flexural wave—wave propagation mode that produces 3.1.15 torsional wave—wave propagation mode that pro-
bending motion in the pipe. duces twisting motion in the pipe.
3.1.7 Guided Wave (GW)—stress waves whose characteris- 3.1.16 transducer ring—a ring array of transducers that is
tics are constrained by the system material, geometry and attached around the circumference of the pipe to generate GW.
configuration in which the waves are propagating. It is also commonly known as the Ring.
3.1.8 Guided Wave Testing (GWT)—non-destructive test
3.1.17 wave mode—a particular form of propagating wave
method that utilizes guided waves.
3.1.9 longitudinal wave—wave propagation mode that pro- motion generated into a pipe, such as flexural, torsional or
duces compressional motion in the pipe. longitudinal.
3.1.10 incoherent noise—random indications caused by
electrical and ambient signal pollution, giving rise to a constant 4. Summary of Practice
average noise floor. The terms “ambient noise” and “random 4.1 GWT evaluates the condition of metal pipes to primarily
noise” are also used. establish the severity classification of defects by applying GW
3.1.11 pipe feature —pipe components including but not at a typical test frequency of up to 150 kHz, which travels
limited to weld, support, flange, bend and flaw (defect) cause along the pipe. Reflections are generated by the change in
reflections of a guided wave due to a change in geometry. cross-sectional area and/or local stiffness of the pipe.
3.1.12 reflection amplitude—the amplitude of the reflection
signal typically reported as CSC. 4.2 A transducer ring attached around the pipe screens the
3.1.13 reflector orientation—the circumferential position of pipe in both directions simultaneously. It can evaluate long
the feature on the pipe. This is reported as the clock position or lengths of pipe, and is especially useful when access to the pipe
degrees with regards to the orientation of the transducer ring. is limited.
3.1.14 Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)—Ratio of the amplitude 4.3 This examination locates areas of thickness reduction(s)
of any signal of interest to the amplitude of the average and provides a severity classification as to the extent of that
background noise which includes both coherent and non- damage. The results are used to assess the condition of the
coherent types of noise as defined in Fig. 1. pipe, to determine where damaged areas are located and their
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8.2.2.2 Proper charging of batteries.
8.2.2.3 Verification that interconnection cables are in good ring at locations with very severe corrosion may cause further
condition and functioning correctly. damage to the pipe.
8.2.2.4 Correct transducer ring size for the intended pipes. 8.4 Transducer Ring—The type of ring, the transducer
8.2.2.5 Sufficient transducer modules (including spares) are orientation and their spacing can vary depending on the type of
available to test the largest diameter pipe in the work scope. collection protocol. Refer to 8.13 when selecting the transducer
8.2.2.6 The transducer ring, modules and transducers are ring assembly for the type of examination to be performed.
functioning correctly. 8.5 Couplant—Couplant is generally not required for this
8.2.2.7 Any computer used with the system is functioning method. GWT utilizes relatively low frequency compared to
correctly and has sufficient storage capacity for the intended those used in conventional UT, typically in the regions of tens
work scope. of kilohertz (kHz) as opposed to megahertz (MHz). At these
8.2.2.8 Supplementary equipment, such as an ultrasonic frequencies, good coupling is obtained by simply applying
flaw detector or specialized pit gauges are available and sufficient mechanical force on the transducer ring.
functioning correctly. 8.6 Choosing Test Location—After completing the exami-
8.2.2.9 All necessary accessories such as tape-measure, nation site preparation outlined in 8.3, attach the transducer
markers are available. ring to the pipe. The test location should be chosen so as to
other signals for comparison. There are four DAC curves that information on the axial length of a feature. An irregular
can be used in evaluating GWT reflections. Most systems reflection is typically associated with a feature that extends
provide inspectors the means of manually adjusting these along the pipe such as a corrosion patch, whereas a short
curves. uniform reflection would indicate a short reflector such as a
8.15.1 Flange DAC—This is a DAC curve that represents weld.
the expected amplitude of a reflection from a large feature 8.20.1.2 Amplitude—The signal amplitude is indicated by
which reflects approximately a 100 % (that is, 0dB) of the the relative signal amplitude of the axi-symmetric wave mode
amplitude of the excitation signal and no energy can therefore (that is, torsional or longitudinal mode), in terms of CSC. The
pass through. shape of the signal also affect the amplitude to some extent
8.15.2 Weld DAC—Pipe girth welds typically present 20 % because of the interference of reflections and scattering within
to 25 % CSC. The amount of energy reflected at the weld is the the discontinuity boundaries. For a defect, the amplitude
reason why the maximum number of pipe joints that can be correlates to the percentage of cross-section loss of the defect
inspected is limited. at that particular position.
FIG. 2 Example of the GWT Result Showing How the Inspection Range is Defined
8.20.1.3 Axi-Symmetry—As the axi-symmetric wave mode in the pipe condition. Be it caused by general corrosion or
reflects from a non-axially symmetric feature, such as a contact internal deposit, further investigation is usually required to
support, some of the energy is converted to the non-axi- determine the source.
symmetric wave modes (that is, various orders of the flexural 8.20.2 DAC Fitting—The DAC curves are set typically
mode). Using the ratio of the reflection magnitudes between using at least two reference reflectors, commonly welds or
the axi-symmetric and non-axi-symmetric modes, it is possible features with a known CSC value. For this reason, it is
to determine how the feature is distributed around the circum- imperative to be able to identify the signals corresponding to
ference of the pipe. the reference reflectors either by the signal characteristics or
8.20.1.4 Behavior at Different Frequencies—Additional in- visually. Note that attenuation in GWT is heavily frequency
formation can be obtained by observing the signal response of dependent; therefore DAC curves are usually set at all col-
certain features at different frequencies. The amplitude and the lected frequencies in the data. An illustration of the DAC fitting
shape of the signal for an axially short feature, such as welds, can be found in Appendix X2.
remain unchanged as the frequency is changed. However, if the 8.20.3 Relevant Signals—Relevant signals are generated by
axial length is long, such as a corrosion patch, multiple signals physical fittings of the pipe, which include, but not limited to,
are generated within the feature, causing interference that features such as welds, flanges, valves, elbows, T-pieces,
changes with frequencies; therefore both amplitude and shape supports, diameter changes. These features are identified both
typically change with frequencies for axially long features. by the signal characteristics and visually, when possible, as to
Additionally, the amplitude of features causing a change in their positions on the pipe. It is important to correlate the
stiffness, such as contact supports, is also generally frequency guided wave indications with the visual observations of the
dependent. pipe. These indications should be noted in the software of the
8.20.1.5 Phase—As the signal amplitude can be caused by GWT test equipment. See Annex A1 for guidelines in deter-
either an increase or a decrease in CSC, the phase information mining reflector characteristics.
provides a way to determine the difference between them. For 8.20.4 Non-Relevant Indications—Non-relevant signals are
example, a weld which is an increase in CSC would have a those associated with noise, false echoes and other non-useable
different phase to that of a defect, which is a decrease in CSC. information. The following may be used to help identifying the
When evaluating the change in phase with respect to other non-relevant indications:
reflectors, the intent is not to determine the actual phase of each 8.20.4.1 Mirrors—If the system displays a large feature in
reflection signal but instead determine which of the reflectors one direction and a small feature at the equal distance in the
can be grouped into similar responses. The phase information opposite direction from the test location, there is a high
is only accurate when the SNR is good, therefore this tool is possibility that the smaller indication is a mirror echo. The
not normally used alone. most effective way to deal with mirror echoes is to move the
8.20.1.6 Circumferential Orientation—Most systems pro- transducer ring approximately 0.6 m (2 ft) and repeat the test.
vide basic information on the circumferential orientation of a This causes the mirror echoes to move or disappear as the test
feature by evaluating the response of the transducers in each of position changes.
the segments of the transducer rings; while some advanced 8.20.4.2 Reverberations—This usually occurs when the
systems also offer focusing capabilities or other special views transducer ring is between two larger reflectors. The reverbera-
in the processing software such as C-Scan display (see example tion echo typically appears as a small indication past the first
in Appendix X2). feature. If reverberation is suspected, move the transducer ring
8.20.1.7 Attenuation Changes—When there is a change on to a location outside of the two reverberating features and
the expected attenuation pattern, it indicates there is a change perform additional examinations.
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8.20.4.3 Modal Noise—The modal noise signals typically 8.20.7 Severity Classification Use and Significance—
appear close to the test location in the result, and their Assigning a severity classification should be used for refer-
amplitude decays rapidly over distance. Modal noise signals ence, classification of indications and setting priorities for
are both frequency and bandwidth dependent; therefore adjust- follow-up inspection. The categories are assigned based on the
ing either of the two parameters can usually eliminate them. amplitudes of the axi-symmetric and non-axi-symmetric reflec-
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8.20.5 Indications—All other indications should be consid- tions, and their relations to the Call DAC level. It is, therefore,
ered unclassified and further analysis should be performed on important that the call DAC level percentage or similar
each one to determine their source and orientation. detection sensitivity requirement is specified in the contractual
8.20.6 Classification of Data—After completing the review agreement which reflects the requirements of the industry. The
of the other indications, those identified to be possible defects GWT does not provide information regarding the remaining
may be further classified as Minor, Intermediate and Severe. wall thickness or nature of the damage. This information can
The classification is determined based on the CSC, the circum- only be obtained as a result of follow-up inspection with other
ferential extent of the signal and their relationships with the NDE methods on the areas where relevant indications associ-
call DAC level. If the call level is set too low, inspectors are ated with defects have been identified. GWT is a method for
likely to overcall; while if the Call level is set too high, detection and classification of damage, and their result shall be
inspectors are likely to under-call. It is important that the call treated as qualitative only.
level set reflects the detection requirements which should be
agreed between parties beforehand. In general, each classifi- 9. Report
cation can be summarized as follow:
9.1 The test report shall document the results of the inspec-
8.20.6.1 Minor (Cat 3)—These are considered to be indica-
tion. It must have all information to be able to reproduce the
tions which are shallow and/or extend around the circumfer-
test at a future date if desired. Most, if not all, the items
ence. They are not highly concentrated. Both the symmetric
detailed in 8.10 should be included. Additionally all observa-
(that is, torsional mode) and non-symmetric (Flexural mode)
tions obtained from visual inspection, thickness measurements
modes are below the call DAC level.
with UT and other pertinent information that is deemed as
8.20.6.2 Medium (Cat 2)—These are areas where there is
having an effect on the quality, or characteristics, or both, of the
more depth than the Minor indications but still are not highly
data or results should be recorded and included in the final
concentrated. The symmetric mode is above, while the non-
report. All relevant and non-relevant indications identified
symmetric mode is below the call DAC level.
during the examination should be included with a classification
8.20.6.3 Severe (Cat 1)—These are areas that have deep
provided those reflections deemed to be associated with
indications, or are highly concentrated, or both, in an area of
defects. All results from follow-up inspection with other NDE
the pipe. They are considered very likely to produce a
methods shall be included in the report if available.
penetration of the pipe wall. Both the symmetric and non-
symmetric modes are above the call DAC level. Signal
10. Keywords
examples of each classification based on the defect profile
around the circumference that is axially short, are shown in 10.1 guided waves; Guided Wave Testing; NDT of pipes;
Fig. 3. pipeline inspection
(Mandatory Information)
APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. ATTENUATION
X1.1 Attenuation is the signal loss as it propagates along a fied in loss per rate of distance traveled. This would be
structure. The loss can be caused by a combination of factors expressed as dB/m. occasionally, if different frequencies have
– dissipation, mode conversion, scattering due to surface a significantly different attenuation rate it may be expressed as
roughness, absorption into other mediums and others. The rate either dB/kHz or dB/kHz-m.
of signal decay is the factor which determines the maximum
test range for any given set up. X1.3 Typical attenuation rates and average test range in
each direction for different test pipe configurations are found in
X1.2 Attenuation Rate—Attenuate rate is typically speci- Table X1.1.
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Well Packed Earth -1 to -2 dB/m 15–30 m
(-0.305 to -0.61dB/ft) (49.2–98.4 ft)
Thin (<2.5mm), -1.25 to -6 dB/m 5–25 m
Hard Bitumen Tape (-0.381 to -1.83dB/ft) (16.4–82 ft)
Thick (>2.5mm), -4 to -16 dB/m 2–8 m
Soft Bitumen Tape (-1.22 to -4.88dB/ft) (6.56–26.24 ft)
Well Bonded -16 to -32 dB/m 1–2 m
Concrete Wall (-4.88 to 9.76dB/ft) (3.28–6.56 ft)
Grout Lined Pipe -1 to -3 dB/m 10–30 m
(-0.305 to 0.91dB/ft) (32.8–98.4 ft)
Loosely Bonded -4 to -16 dB/m 2–8 m
Concrete Wall (-1.22 to -4.88dB/ft) (6.56–26.24 ft)
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FIG. X2.1 An Example of the A-Scan Type (Bottom) and C-Scan Type (Top) Results from GWT (The C-scan plot provides the
circumferential orientation, displayed as the clock position, for the corresponding A-scan signal at the bottom.)
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