Contents

Preface ................................................................................................... ix

Acknowledgements ................................................................................ xi

List of Abbreviations ............................................................................... xiii

1. Introduction .................................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 1
1.2 In Brief ................................................................................................. 2

2. Data Fusion - A Review .................................................................. 5

2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 5
2.2 Data Fusion System Models ............................................................... 6
2.3 Fusion Methodology ............................................................................ 22
2.4 Data Integration and Fusion Applications ............................................ 34
2.5 A Practical Example of NDT Data Fusion ........................................... 34
2.6 Conclusion .......................................................................................... 36

3. Non-Destructive Testing Techniques ........................................... 43

3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 43
3.2 Visual Inspection ................................................................................. 44
3.3 Liquid Penetrant Inspection ................................................................. 46
3.4 Magnetic Particle Inspection ............................................................... 48
3.5 Eddy Current Testing .......................................................................... 51
3.6 Alternating Current Potential Drop ...................................................... 57
3.7 Alternating Current Field Measurement .............................................. 58

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viii Contents

3.8 Ultrasonic Testing ................................................................................ 59

3.9 Radiographic Inspection ...................................................................... 66
3.10 Additional NDT Methods ..................................................................... 71
3.11 Computers in NDT .............................................................................. 72
3.12 Performance Assessment of NDT Methods ........................................ 73

4. Scientific Visualisation .................................................................. 82

4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 82
4.2 Data Visualisation ................................................................................ 83
4.3 Volume Visualisation ........................................................................... 87
4.4 Animation and Virtual Reality .............................................................. 88
4.5 Fundamentals of Image Processing .................................................... 89
4.6 Visualisation in NDT ............................................................................ 91
4.7 Summary ............................................................................................. 91

5. A Bayesian Statistical Inference Approach to the Non-

Destructive Inspection of Composite Materials .......................... 95
5.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 95
5.2 Composite Materials ........................................................................... 96
5.3 Current NDT Methods for the Inspection of Composites ..................... 97
5.4 Description of Test Specimens ............................................................ 101
5.5 Methodology and Experimental Design .............................................. 104
5.6 Inspection Results ............................................................................... 104
5.7 NDT Data Integration and Fusion ........................................................ 114
5.8 Discussion ........................................................................................... 121

6. Application of NDT Data Fusion to Weld Inspection ................... 127

6.1 Introduction .......................................................................................... 127
6.2 Weld Samples ..................................................................................... 128
6.3 Non-Destructive Examination of the Test Specimens ......................... 129
6.4 NDT Data Fusion ................................................................................ 141
6.5 Discussion ........................................................................................... 177

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 Contents ix

7. Perspectives of NDT Data Fusion ................................................. 180

7.1 Concluding Comments ........................................................................ 180
7.2 The Future of NDT Data Fusion .......................................................... 184

Glossary ................................................................................................ 189

Bibliography ......................................................................................... 195

Index ...................................................................................................... 203

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