Abstract: Deformation is one of the primary failure modes in pipes, and the deformation detection is a critical technology to ensure pipes safety. Existing technologies, such as drift diameter testing and ultrasonic testing, used for pipe deformation detection can get better effect, but also all have their limitations. The feasibility of deformation detection in pipes using ultrasonic guided wave technology is discussed by experimental investigation. For the experiments, the axisymmetric longitudinal mode L(0,2) is selected. The reflected echoes from deformation area with different extent are obtained through simulated local sunken deformations on a hollow aluminum pipe. Further, the relationship between the echoes signal features with reflector is analyzed. The results show that the L(0,2) mode is sensitive to these sunken deformations, and the deformation echoes can be clearly identified. The amplitude of deformation echoes can effectively characterize the extent of pipe deformation, and the time of flight can also locate the deformation area along axial of pipe.

Key words: Deformation damage inspection, Pipe, Ultrasonic guided waves