ULiAS 5 – a system for determining and monitoring the elastic properties of pipes and components over time using ultrasound

Several industries, particularly the nuclear sector, have long faced challenges in inspecting anisotropic materials during operation, such as stainless steel welds, where ultrasonic wave propagation is difficult to predict. This complicates the determination of defect location and size. A key task in ageing management is to predict irradiation-induced embrittlement in reactor pressure vessels and other components.

In recent years, mathematical models have been developed to support the inspection qualification process and can serve as cost-effective complements to extensive experimental work. This project aims to further develop a technique that uses conventional ultrasonic data, combined with methods from geophysics (e.g., 3D seismic tomography), to reconstruct dendrite orientation in welds. This enables improved modelling of anisotropy and simulation of inspection scenarios, thereby facilitating optimization of ultrasonic testing systems.

The goal is to develop an ultrasonic-based system for determining and monitoring the elastic properties of pipes and other critical components in Swedish nuclear power plants.