Towards automated interpretation of ultrasonic NDT data

Expert systems have demonstrated potential for automated interpretation of ultrasonic NDT data, but rules do not provide the best solutions for all interpretation problems. In this work, 3D images are reconstructed from raw A-Scans, using CAD models of test specimen geometry to correct positions and remove geometric echoes. A knowledge model for ultrasonic NDT has been implemented in a working expert system, with uncertainty managed using fuzzy logic. A suite of data processing tools is available both to the expert system, and also through an interactive 3D visualization system, which therefore provides a development environment for automated interpretation, as well as being powerful in its own right.