Simulation-Based Investigation of a Probability of Detection (POD) Model Using Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) Technique - Pure Study of POD Validity

Sep 30, 2026

Probability of detection (POD) is used to quantify inspection capability in nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and has evolved in industry since the 1970s. Statistical modeling progress includes the log-normal (Probit) form, widely used but often applied without fully examining its assumptions. This work presents a pure simulation-based POD procedure for PAUT inspection of lack-of-fusion defects in additive manufactured components using simSUNDT. Simulated datasets are evaluated against log-normal POD assumptions and compared with discrete POD values, with results supporting the model’s validity despite some hypothesis violations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Probability of Detection (POD) Modeling

Simulation Setup and UT Software

POD Data Processing and Model Evaluation

Results and Comparisons

Simulation-Based Investigation of a Probability of Detection (POD) Model Using Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) Technique Downloaded from: [https://research.chalmers.se](https://research.chalmers.se), 2026-09-30 01:47 UTC Citation for the original published paper (version of record): Lei, X., Wirdelius, H., Rosell, A. (2022) . Simulation-Based Investigation of a Probability of Detection (POD) Model Using Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) Technique. Journal of Nondestructive Evaluation, 41(2) . [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10921-022-00873-2](http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10921-022-00873-2) N. B. When citing this work, cite the original published paper. research.chalmers.se offers the possibility of retrieving research publications produced at Chalmers University of Technology. It covers all kind of research output: articles, dissertations, conference papers, reports etc. since 2004. research.chalmers.se is administrated and maintained by Chalmers Library (article starts on next page) Simulation-Based Investigation of a Probability of Detection (POD) Model Using Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) Technique Xiangyu Lei1 · Håkan Wirdelius2 · Anders Rosell3 Received: 22 December 2021 / Accepted: 6 April 2022 © The Author(s) 2022 Abstract Probability of detection (POD) as a metric for quantifying the capability of inspection procedures in nondestructive evaluation (NDE), has been applied and evolved in industries since 1970s. Progress had been noted when certain statistical functions were brought up to model POD behavior, including log-normal model (also referred as Probit model) . This model had been concluded to be the best ﬁt and therefore has been widely used in many studies, while the involved assumptions and conditions were not carefully addressed and explored. To make ﬂexible POD datasets available for speciﬁc inspection procedures and reduce the number of expensive experiments needed, model-assisted POD (MAPOD) is an alternative. This paper addresses a pure simulation-based POD procedure of an inspection scenario involving phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) on lack-of-fusion defects in additive manufactured (AM) components. The mathematical simulations are performed by an ultrasonic testing (UT) simulation software, simSUNDT, developed at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. Resulted inspection datasets with the proposed data processing steps are evaluated in terms of the assumptions and conditions of log-normal POD model, with the purpose of discussing the POD model validity under different circumstances. Simulationbased POD curves are ﬁnally compared with several discrete POD values at some defect sizes, calculated through massive computations from physics-model based metamodel. Comparisons and observations conﬁrm satisfactory application of lognormal POD model despite some violations in model hypotheses. Keywords Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) · Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) · MAPOD · Numerical simulation · simSUNDT 1 Introduction Higher demands on the reliability of components used in the industry increase the needs for quality assessment in the manufacturing industries. It is therefore crucial ofmonitoring and controlling of manufacturing, inspecting safety–critical B Xiangyu Lei[xlei@chalmers.se](xlei@chalmers.se) Håkan Wirdelius [hakan.wirdelius@hv.se](hakan.wirdelius@hv.se) Anders Rosell [anders.ar.rosell@gknaerospace.com](anders.ar.rosell@gknaerospace.com) 1 Department of Industrial and Materials Science (IMS), Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden 2 Division of Subtractive and Additive Manufacturing, University West, 46186 Trollhättan, Sweden 3 GKN Aerospace Sweden AB, Flygmotorvägen 1, 46181 Trollhättan, Sweden assets and assuring of structural integrity. However, consistent results are not always necessarily guaranteed through repeated inspections on a speciﬁc defect due to the probabilistic characterization of in

FAQs

What is the purpose of the probability of detection (POD) model in this paper?

POD is used to quantify how capable an NDE inspection procedure is at detecting defects, relating detection probability to a defect characteristic such as size.

Why does the paper focus on a simulation-based POD procedure?

A simulation-based approach is used to generate flexible POD datasets for specific inspection scenarios while reducing reliance on expensive experiments.

Which POD model and testing technique are evaluated?

The study evaluates log-normal POD (Probit) behavior for phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) of lack-of-fusion defects in additive manufactured components.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by River Wang