The objective was to show that a microprocessor, when used with a ultrasonic flaw detector, can reliably regulate an ultrasonic inspection process. The project is divided into two parts; the microprocessor systems development for ultrasonic testing and analysis and joint inspection concepts for offshore structures.
Complete. A portable microprocessor oriented data acquisition system was used to demonstrate the benefit of microprocessors and ultrasonics in a field environment. A fatigue test was carried out at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Space Flight Center, on a 1/3 scale model K-joint (Project No. 34). The inspection technique was used to study damage detection. Additional fatigue tests were conducted on the K-joint in a joint project with NASA and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). NASA used the 'Random Decrement' method and the FHWA used the acoustic emissions technique. Information received from this latest testing program was analyzed and a final report prepared.