Root Crack Inspection

In this tutorial, you will learn how to simulate a Root Crack Inspection using BeamTool and the OnScale plugin. Let's get started by opening up BeamTool 9!

Don't have BeamTool 9? Find out how to get a 10-day trial here.

Overview

A root crack is a crack formed at the root of the weld usually caused by hydrogen in solid solution or high residual stresses.

Section 1 - Piece

We are going to use the default plate piece for this tutorial, but it is easy to change these parameters by simply clicking on the Piece icon in the toolbar. 

 

Section 2 - Probe

The only probes currently supported by the OnScale plugin is Phased Array. Add a phased array probe by selecting the Probe icon in the toolbar.

To set the frequency of the probe, select the Probe Configuration button in the PA Probe window.

In the PA Probe Configuration window, set Frequency to 5 MHz.

Section 3 - Root Crack

To add the root crack in the test piece, select the Draw Piece Polygon icon.

To place the crack on the weld, click on the weld to create the first point, drag your mouse and click to place the second point, do so until you have  created your crack geometry and select Esc to complete the polygon. Don't worry where you are placing the crack just now, we are going to move the location to the root of the weld.

To move the crack location click the polygon and in Construction Aids, set the properties to the following.

Section 4 - Beamset

We are going to use a sectorial beamset for this inspection. Add this by selecting the Sectorial Beamset Configuration button.

When simulating a beamset a simulation time must be chosen. The longer the simulation time the more core hours the simulation will take. The simulation time can be optimised using the Time From Elements crop value for the beamset. The simulation time needs to be twice what is in the crop value (to account for the sound returning to the transducer).

In the Sectorial Beamset Configuration window, set Crop Time to 29.89 and Num Beams to 26.

The final inspection set up should like this.

Section 5 - Run

To run the simulation on the cloud, select Tools > onscale. 

The first thing you must do is login.

Don't have an OnScale Account? Find out how to get one here.

Once you are logged in, you must set up the final simulation parameters in the General tab.

To submit a job, go to the Submit tab, select the beamset to use and select Run Simulation.

Section 6 - Download 

Once the simulation is finished, it will appear in the Download tab. To download the results simple select the Download button.

Section 7 - Import Results

The downloaded ONSCALE file can be imported into BeamTool to view the inspection B-scan. Do this by selecting the beamset in the PA probe window and selecting the cog > Import Data.

To increase the Gain of the B-scan, select the eye icon and change the value of the gain until the crack location is clear.