Characterization of Stress Corrosion Cracking Using Laser Ultrasonics

Fast Facts
Technology and Commercialization
Research Entity:	Intelligent Optical Systems, Inc. (IOS) 2520 West 237th Street Torrance CA 90505-5217 Torrance, CA 90505
COTR:	James Merritt, james.merritt @ dot.gov, (303)638-4758
Contract #:	DTPH56-06-T-000003
Project #:	188
Contact Info:	Marvin Klein Intelligent Optical Systems, Inc. (IOS) 310 530-7130 mklein @ intopsys.com
Partners:	Martin Fingerhut RTD Quality Services USA LP 832 295-5008 mfingerhut @ rtdquality.us
Peer Review	Very Effective (PHP-2-2007, Mar 27-29, 2007)
Peer Review	Very Effective (PHP-3-2008, May 1-14, 2008)
Technology Demonstrated?	Yes
Commercialized (in whole/part)?	No
Financial and Status Data
Project Status:	Completed
Start Fiscal Year:	2006 (04/01/2006)
End Fiscal Year:	2008 (08/31/2008)
PHMSA $$ Budgeted:	$562,754.00
$$ Co-Funded:	$616,809.00
Total Project Cost:	$1,179,563.00

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Main Objective

The objective of the proposed effort is to apply the proven technologies of laser ultrasonics and finite difference simulation toward the development of a tool that can provide the ability to map the SCC colonies accurately and provide spatially precise 3-dimentional data, and to develop an application that can do so in an efficient manner in the field.

Public Abstract

Pipeline failures from stress corrosion cracking (SCC) remain a major safety concern among pipeline operators. To manage the safety threat from SCC, the operators require key information to assist in identifying the potential and the location(s) on the pipeline system for this threat, assess and characterize the threat, and determine the appropriate mitigation measures.

In spite of many efforts at developing reliable sizing techniques for stress corrosion cracks, current methods are either very expensive and time consuming or unreliable. The development of a reliable nondestructive technique would be very desirable.

The goal of the proposed project is to apply the proven technologies of laser ultrasonics and finite difference modeling to the important problem of depth measurement of stress corrosion cracks. Laser ultrasonics offers a number of significant benefits for the sizing of SCCs including small footprint on the pipe, rapid scanning and high bandwidth. Laser generation produces a mixture of ultrasonic waves, covering many wave types, directions and frequencies. Finite element modeling offers a very promising pathway to harnessing these waves for effective crack depth measurement.

Our Work Plan covers a two-year effort that includes tasks on finite difference model development, laboratory optimization of the inspection process and development of a scanning prototype system to be used on pipes with known SCC.

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