Round robin experiment to detect, size, and characterize flaws in the welds of existing hydraulic steel structures using phased array ultrasonic testing

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Limited information exists on the ability of nondestructive testing techniques to detect, size, and characterize flaws in existing hydraulic steel structures (HSS). Round robin experiments were conducted using phased array ultrasonics to inspect welded steel specimens representing joints in existing HSS. Technicians detected 83% of the flaws scanned, but detection rates varied widely by flaw and technician. Uncertainty in flaw size estimates, represented by 90% confidence bounds on the ratio of estimated to actual length or height, ranged from 0.52 to 2.10 for length and 0.32 to 3.59 for height. Planar, volumetric and laminar flaws were accurately characterized 80% of the time.