Fast flaw reconstruction from 3D eddy current data

Abstract

An eddy current flaw reconstruction strategy based on the minimization of nonlinear least-squares error functionals is developed for problems with arbitrary specimen, probe and defect shapes. A fast 3D forward solver is created to rapidly predict eddy current signals in the inversion shell. The high speed of the signal evaluation comes by utilizing a reaction data set constructed before performing the inversion by a finite element electromagnetic field simulator. The same pre-calculated reaction data set supports the quick evaluation of sensitivity information, thereby ensuring the efficient implementation of an optimization algorithm. This optimization algorithm combines first-order and stochastic optimization strategies and improves the reliability of the reconstruction significantly if the observed data contain large noise components. Examples with tube specimens are presented for different 3D flaw shapes.