Electric Potential CT Method Based on BEM Inverse Analyses for Measurement of Three-Dimensional Cracks

Feasibility of the proposed electric potential CT method was studied for detecting and measuring three-dimensional cracks. This method uses techniques of inverse analysis, by which observed values of electric potential distribution on the surfaces of a cracked body are computer-processed to detect cracks. Two schemes, i.e., “Inverse Boundary-Integral-Equation Method” and “Least Residual Method” were examined. Numerical simulations of crack shape determination were made for a rectangular surface crack, a rectangular internal crack and an L-shaped surface crack. The results demonstrated the versatility of the proposed method.