ABSTRACT
The field of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) has developed rapidly over recent decades as a tool for quality control, process control, and reliability assurance of materials, protective coatings, components, welds, assemblies, structures, and operating systems. NDE is a rapidly growing research field that offers innovative solutions for health assessment of structures. Nondestructive testing of materials and structures has been practiced for many years. A significant limitation of nondestructive inspection and NDE became apparent in the sixties with the advent of fracture mechanics. NDE is the process of evaluating materials, components, or assemblies for flaws, discontinuities, or differences in characteristics without destroying or modifying the serviceability or functionality of the part or system. Ultrasonic NDE techniques are being used in many fields like aerospace, automotive, civil, mechanical, chemical, petro-chemical engineering, and offshore industries. The acoustic emission technique is a passive NDE method.
