Numerical and experimental analysis of eddy current testing for a tube with cracks

Abstract

A novel method for calculating the impedance signal in eddy current testing (ECT) for a tube with surface cracks is developed using the two-dimensional current vector potential method. Three-dimensional current flow around a surface crack is approximated by introducing quasi-conductivity in the crack region. A final matrix relating the current vector potentials is obtained by decreasing the width of the crack to zero, and then the elements in the crack region are not necessary any longer. Numerical results show good agreement with the experimental ones, which indicates the validity of the proposed method and the possibility of designing a more efficient probe of ECT using the code