Ultrasound is an ideal modality for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) because it enables the interior of objects to be assessed without the safety and access issues associated with radiography. This article summarizes the history of array usage in NDE and its relationship to medical applications. It discusses the mathematics behind classical beamforming, full matrix capture, and total focusing methods of imaging. The article shows how ultrasonic array data can be simulated by direct numerical methods (most commonly using finite-element methods), analytical methods, or hybrid methods. It also considers various methods of comparing the performance of arrays and imaging algorithms. The article provides a comparison of various advanced and nonlinear imaging algorithm and looks at some practical industrial applications of arrays. It concludes with some future perspectives for arrays in NDE.

Optimization plays a key role in the design of any structure or system, and electromagnetic devices are no exception. This article provides a description of the formulation of a design problem, and provides a review of the Paretian optimality. It focuses on nondominating sorting algorithms and multiobjective evolutionary strategy algorithms associated with evolutionary computing. The article provides information on field-based optimization problems. It also discusses the design of the pancake inductor that implies the solution of coupled electromagnetic and thermal fields, along with the use of optimal design procedures, to identify the best possible device or process.

Vibrothermography, also known as sonic thermography, sonic infrared (IR), thermosonics, and vibroacoustic thermography, is a nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technique for finding cracks and delaminations through vibration-induced heating. This article describes the four parts of the vibrothermography process: vibration of the specimen by a transducer; conversion of vibrational energy into heat by a crack, delamination, and other contacting surfaces; conduction of the heat to an external surface; and infrared detection of the heat with a thermal camera.

This article discusses tools that are used for the systematic optimization of engineering designs. It focuses on the practical application of optimization technology in a computer-aided engineering environment. The article presents numerical optimization algorithms and provides some background on how these algorithms make decisions when searching for the optimal design. It also provides information on structural optimization, topology optimization, materials processing optimization, multidisciplinary optimization, and global optimization.

Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging technique that generates a three-dimensional (3-D) volumetric image of a test piece. This article illustrates the basic principles of CT and provides information on the types, applications, and capabilities of CT systems. A comparison of performance characteristics for film radiography, real-time radiography, and X-ray computed tomography is presented in a table. A functional block diagram of a typical computed tomography system is provided. The article discusses CT scanning geometry that is used to acquire the necessary transmission data. It also provides information on digital radiography, image processing and analysis, dual-energy imaging, and partial angle imaging, of a CT system.

Machine vision, also referred to as computer vision or intelligent vision, is a means of simulating the image recognition and analysis capabilities of the human eye and brain system with digital techniques. The machine vision functionality is extremely useful in inspection, supervision, and quality control applications. This article presents a variety of machine vision functions for different purposes and provides a comparison of machine and human vision capabilities in a table. It discusses the processes of a machine vision system: image acquisition, image preprocessing, image analysis, and image interpretation. The article provides information on the uses of machine vision systems in three categories of manufacturing applications: visual inspection, identification of parts, and guidance and control applications.

This article reviews the main theoretical and practical aspects of sequence normally followed in digital image-acquisition, processing, analysis, and output for material characterization. It discusses the main methods of digital imaging, image processing, and analysis, as applied to microscopy of materials. The article describes the basic concepts of sampling and resolution and quantization of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. It discusses the acquisition of a digital image that accurately represents the sample under observation and output of the image to a printer. The methods used to enhance the digital image and to extract quantitative information are also described. Different types of image segmentation, namely, adaptive segmentation and contour-based segmentation, are reviewed. The article also presents case studies on the application of image processing and analysis to materials characterization.

This article provides an overview of the methods used to control aspects of the arc welding process and research associated with the development of closed-loop feedback control of the process. Successful implementation of a closed-loop feedback control system requires sensing, modeling, and control. The article describes the commonly applied sensing techniques for arc welding control: arc sensing and nonimaging and imaging optics. It reviews the physics-based, empirically-derived, and neural network models for arc welding control. The article also discusses the research and development activities that attempt to extend the commercial, welding process controllers, namely, adaptive control, intelligent control, multivariable control, and distributed, hierarchical control.

This article demonstrates the depth and breadth of commercial and third-party software packages available to simulate metals processes. It provides a representation of the spectrum of applications from simulation of atomic-level effects to manufacturing optimization. The article tabulates the software name, function or process applications, vendor or developer, and website information.

Thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) an increasingly popular infrared (IR)-based technique for measuring stress on the surface of a part subjected to time-varying loads. This article begins by providing a theoretical and historical background of thermoelastic stress analysis. It then describes infrared detectors, such as quantum detectors and thermal/nonquantum detectors, for thermoelastic stress analysis. The article discusses the theoretical aspects for producing thermoelastic stress analysis data and the applications amenable to thermoelastic stress analysis. It concludes with information on the qualitative applications of thermoelastic stress analysis.

This article provides an overview of the characteristics of Rayleigh waves plus methods for generation and detection of waves, including using piezoelectric transducers or noncontact techniques such as lasers, electromagnetic acoustic transducers, or air-coupled ultrasonics. It reviews the methods for using Rayleigh waves for defect detection and materials characterization, alongside nonlinear ultrasonic inspection and surface acoustic wave (SAW) microscopy. The article concludes with information on the standards that use Rayleigh waves for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of different structures.

This article introduces the principal methodologies and some advanced technologies that are being applied for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composites. These include acoustic emission, ultrasonic, eddy-current, computed tomography, electromagnetic acoustic transducer, radiography, thermography, and low-frequency vibration methods. The article also provides information on NDE methods commonly used for metal-matrix composites.

This article introduces the principal methodologies and some technologies that are being applied for nondestructive evaluation of composite materials. These include ultrasonic testing (UT), air-coupled UT, laser UT, ultrasonic spectroscopy, leaky lamb wave method, acousto-ultrasonics, radiography, X-ray computed tomography, thermography, low-frequency vibration methods, acoustic emission, eddy current testing, optical holography, and shearography. The article presents some examples are for fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composites. Many of the techniques have general applicability to other types of composites such as metal-matrix composites and ceramic-matrix composites.

Designing of induction heating, or, generally electro technological installations, requires mathematical modeling for solving problems related to various physical phenomena, including electromagnetic (EM), thermal, mechanical, fluidic, and metallurgical fields. This article focuses on the solution of Maxwell's equations (MEs) and provides some basic information regarding the heat transfer and fluid equations, because these physical phenomena usually are strongly coupled to magnetic and electric fields. The solutions are usually obtained by using specific numerical methods such as finite-element method, finite difference method, boundary-element method or volume-integral method, and direct-solution method. The article also discusses the typical structure of commercial codes (preprocessor, solver, and postprocessor) to solve field problems mainly in finite-element method.

This article provides a discussion on general nondestructive evaluation (NDE) science and considerations for specific technique selection. It explains the basic concept of flaw detection and evaluation and probability of detection. The article provides an overview of NDE methods with their applications, limitations, and advantages. It includes details on NDE codes, calibration standards, inspection frequency, guidance on how to perform inspections, applicability, and mandatory and nonmandatory practice. The article also provides tips on where to focus inspections in order to align with the likely areas of damage or degradation and a number of other aspects of inspection.

This article describes the mechanisms and characteristics of heat transfer in the quenching of steel. This article describes the characterization of boiling heat transfer, including pool boiling, forced convective boiling, and rewetting, which plays a key role in defining the heat-extraction characteristics of a liquid quenchant. It provides information on heat generated microstructural field evolution and information on the analysis and characterization of heat transfer boundary conditions.

Metal transparency and interaction with X-rays have been recognized as obvious candidate principles from which methods for in situ monitoring of solidification processes could be developed. This article describes the use of X-ray imaging-based techniques to investigate interface morphology evolution, solute transport, and various process phenomena at spatiotemporal resolutions. It discusses the three viable imaging techniques made available by synchrotron radiation for the real-time investigation of solidification microstructures in alloys. These include two-dimensional X-ray topography, two-dimensional X-ray radiography, and ultra-fast three-dimensional X-ray tomography.

This article discusses the numerical simulation of the forming of aluminum alloy sheet metals. The macroscopic and microscopic aspects of the plastic behavior of aluminum alloys are reviewed. The article presents constitutive equations suitable for the description of aluminum alloy sheets. It explains testing procedures and analysis methods that are used to measure the relevant data needed to identify the material coefficients. The article describes the various formulations of finite element methods used in sheet metal forming process simulations. Stress-integration procedures for both continuum and crystal-plasticity mechanics are also discussed. The article also provides various examples that illustrate the simulation of aluminum sheet forming.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a computationally intensive three-dimensional simulation of thermal fluids systems where non-linear momentum transport plays an important role. This article presents the governing equations of fluid dynamics and an introduction to the CFD techniques. It introduces some common techniques for discretizing the fluid-flow equations and methods for solving the discrete equations. These include finite-difference methods, finite-element methods, spectral methods, and computational particle methods. The article describes the approaches for grid generation with complex geometries. It discusses the four-step procedures used in the CFD process for engineering design: geometry acquisition, grid generation and problem specification, flow solution, and post-processing and synthesis. The article also provides information on the engineering applications of the CFD. It concludes with a discussion on issues and directions for engineering CFD.