Enhancing Guided Wave Tomography for Improved DefectDetection in Critical Structures

Containment liner plates are essential for structural safety in critical systems. Detecting defects in these components requires advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques to address challenges such as complex geometries and material properties. Tomographic imaging reconstructs damage probability maps by analyzing guided wave interactions, offering detailed visualizations of defect locations and enabling precise localization in challenging scenarios. This study evaluates two tomographic methodologies: the Reconstruction Algorithm for Probabilistic Inspection of Defects (RAPID) and the enhanced Density Clustering-RAPID (DC-RAPID). RAPID provides a robust framework for defect localization by leveraging optimized shape factors to enhance sensitivity and probability mapping. However, it struggles with achieving precise localization in complex geometries or under noisy conditions. DC-RAPID overcomes these limitations by integrating density-based clustering, which effectively reduces false positives and identifies high-probability zones. Incorporating adaptive probability mapping, DC-RAPID significantly enhances imaging quality and defect resolution. Comparative analysis demonstrates the superior accuracy and reliability of DC-RAPID in identifying and characterizing defects. These advancements highlight the potential of guided wave tomography, particularly DC-RAPID, for improving NDT in critical structures.