Safety, Production, Accuracy, and Savings, PAUT is a no lose option to Radiography.

1. Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing
Inspection Solutions for Today and Tomorrow

2. PAUT Training and Certification Requirements
•ASNT added PAUT in 4th quarter of 2011
•Prerequisite to PAUT is UT level II Certification
•Minimum 80 hours classroom training
•Training course outline is specified in CP-105
•Minimum 160 hours on the job (hands on) training
•Specific examination consisting of a minimum 30
questions on PAUT

3. Levels of Responsibility
• ASNT does not address PAUT level I’s. It’s assumed that a PAUT
inspector will be an experienced UT level II.
• General Industry Level II PAUT under ASNT
• Additional Performance Demonstration Qualification (PDQ) certs
under
• EPRI
• API
• Per Contract Documents
• No certified Level III PAUT per ASNT, only in house or contractor
designation as Subject Matter Experts (SME).

4. Codes and Standards Accepting PAUT
• ASME
• First through Code cases 181 and 2235
• Now as direct acceptance through article 4 and mandatory appendices
• ASTM E2700 – Standard Practice for Contact Ultrasonic Testing of Welds using
Phased Array
• ASTM 2491 – Standard Guide for Evaluating Performance Characteristics of
Phased Array Test Systems
• API 1104 – Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities
• AWS D1.1 – Structural Welding Code – Steel
• AWS D1.5 – Bridge Welding Code

5. History of PAUT
• 1801 – Constructive/Destructive
interaction demonstrated
• In phase combination =
reinforcement
• Out of phase combination =
cancellation
• 1960’s – Researchers begin to develop
systems using pulsed multi-point
transducers to direct mechanical waves
• 1970’s – Medical imaging diagnostics
appear
• Beam steer offers cross sectional
image views

6. What is PAUT
• Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing is an
advanced ultrasonic technique used for
flaw detection, sizing, and imaging
• Uses multi-element (array) probes for
increased beam steering and focusing
compared to conventional UT
• Like having many small conventional UT
probes in one pulsed at predetermined
intervals

7. How Phased Array Works
Each individual wave generated within the scan goes through
the pulse/receive cycle as shown below

8. How Phased
Array Works
• Each received analog A-Scan
is digitized and rendered
into 2D display formats
• Signals from the entire
sequence are compiled into
various image formats for
evaluation

9. PAUT Views
• A data view is a 2D
graphic rendering
of the ultrasonic
data
• Data views
• A-Scan
• B-Scan
• C-Scan
• S-Scan
• ToFD
• Ray Tracing
• Strip Charts

10. A-Scan View
• Source by which all other
views are created
• Amplitude vs time
• An A-Scan exists for every
sound beam
• One for each segment
of a linear scan
• One for each angle of
an S-Scan
• Rulers allow presentation
of information in time,
sound path, or true depth
• Amplitude is linked to
color pallet

11. B-Scan View
• A side view looking from the back side of the probe
• Represents data collected through the entire scan length for one A-Scan
• View changes dynamically as angle or VPA is scrolled

12. C-Scan View
• C-Scan is a plan view/top view
• View is generated based on gate positioning and mode (may be configured for
gate A and B independently)
• Data can be presented in amplitude or position (thickness) formats

13. S-Scan View
• Presents all A-Scans within the
group in an angular sector or
sweep range
• A-Scans are converted to color
coded lines representing
amplitude
• May be corrected for delay and
true depth relative to the
ultrasonic axis as shown here

14. Time of Flight Diffraction (ToFD)
• The ToFD display offers a B-Scan representation of
the diffracted signals detected in “pitch catch”
conventional UT probes
• As with all other image views ToFD is built off
individual A-Scans

15. Ray Tracing View
• Provides 2D representation of the weld, showing rebounds
of the beam path and A gate position for the first, last and
active focal law
• Should only be used as a reporting tool

16. Master Thoughts
• It’s still UT
• Anything UT can do PAUT can do better
• Technology enabled
• UT is not new, neither is PAUT
• Computer assistance of proven technology
• Advancements in transducer material/design
• Medical use and capability perfected
• Adapted for use in industrial sector
• Key elements
• Multi-dimension sizing offers more accurate assessment of integrity
• Weld images provided in multiple 2D orientations, giving 3D of views
• Raises production while reducing costs

17. PAUT for
Pipelines
API 1104 21st Edition

18. API 1104 21st Edition
Appendix A Option 1 Engineers
Critical Assessment (ECA)
• PAUT has been accepted since 19th
Edition of API 1104
• Approved by PHMSA
• Approved by The Ohio Gas Association
• Multi dimension sizing allows for use of
ECA
• ECA/Fracture Mechanics acceptance
criteria used and can reduce reject and
repair rates.

19. Why PAUT? Why Now?
• No dangerous ionizing radiation
• Reduced safety factor
• Increased production
• Possible reduction in reject rate
• No expensive regulatory fees
• Accurate permanent records
• Equipment generated reports with detailed
indication tables
• Physical and cloud storage of data with no
degradation
• Multiple weld images included with data
• Results auditable onsite or remotely every day
• Setup and equipment data/configuration
automatically included in report

20. Why PAUT? Why Now?Pipeline NDT PAUT RT
Mainline crew $120/hr $175/hr
Data/Film
$5/per
weld
$35/weld
Equipment fees $600/day
$800-
$1200/day
Tie-in/HDD NDT crew $95/hr $175/hr
Project lead
N/A
(combined
with other
service
position)
$1200/day
Licensing N/A
$1000-
$10,000
per project
Auditing $5/weld $1000/day
• Tremendous cost savings
• Lower hourly fees
• Less manpower
• No regulatory costs
• Lower data vs film cost
• Remote auditing offering lower costs
• No production interruption
• Lower liability consideration due to
safety
• Safety
• No ionizing radiation
• Less manpower
• Only seasoned personnel are certified
• ECA criteria more accurately reflect
likelihood of failure

21. •Benefits Recap
• Increased production
• Increased usefulness of data
• Increase in job safety
• Decreased costs of inspection/NDT
• Decreased repair/rejection rate
An investment in innovation is an investment in a safe profitable future!