Title: Study of phased array techniques for concrete inspection

Authors: O. Paris, C. Poidevin, J.M. Rambach, G. Nahas

Addresses: CEA, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, SYSSC/LMUS, 91191 Gif sur Yvette cedex, France. ' CEA, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, SYSSC/LMUS, 91191 Gif sur Yvette cedex, France. ' IRSN, Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire, IRSN BP 17, 92262 Fontenay aux Roses cedex, France. ' IRSN, Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire, IRSN BP 17, 92262 Fontenay aux Roses cedex, France

Abstract: From a safety standpoint the concrete containment of the nuclear power plant is an essential component because it serves at the final barrier to the release of fission products. IRSN supervises the development of a phased array method for detecting cracks in concrete and preventing degradation of the containment. One objective is to focus and steer the ultrasonic beam in order to reconstruct, trough imaging tools the profile of a detected defect. Measurements performed on an artificial crack embedded in a concrete block are presented. The simulation tools dedicated to inspection of concrete are also briefly described.

Keywords: ultrasonic testing; concrete inspection; phased array techniques; SAFT processing; nuclear power plants; nuclear energy; nuclear safety; crack detection; containment degradation; simulation; microstructure; wall containments; pressurised water reactors; PWR.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2006.011643

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2006 Vol.1 No.3/4, pp.274 - 281

Published online: 07 Dec 2006 *

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