PISC III Action 6 on ultrasonic modelling: contributions and perspective from two UK participating companies

Action 6 of PISC III is concerned with the mathematical modelling of ultrasonic inspection. Much of the work has been concerned with the validation of models, undertaken by comparing their predictions against carefully controlled experiments carried out on the PISC II Parametric Studies blocks. A report on three models, from Nuclear Electric (formerly part of the CEGB), AEA Technology and the University of Kassel (Germany), written by staff at the Ispra Joint Research Centre, has recently been issued. Three more models, from CEA, Electricite de France (EdF) and Rolls-Royce and Associates, are currently being considered. Work is progressing in two other areas: modelling of defects very close to the scanning surface, and diffraction calculations for various slot tips and other vertices. Work is also planned on the modelling of austenitic materials, with the aim of offering insight into some of the phenomena observed in PISC III Action 3 on Dissimilar Metal Welds. This paper presents an overview of Action 6 but emphasises the contributions of the author's companies. (Author)