Material characterisation in situ using ultrasound measurements

This paper presents a novel approach to material characterisation in situ using ultrasound. A major problem associated with the use of ultrasound in such measurement is the distortion of signals due to nonplanar surface profiles of the targets. This was solved by developing theoretical models and compensation techniques where by the received signals were normalised with respect to that of equivalent planar targets. Compensated ultrasonic signals were then used to obtain the characteristic acoustic properties of the material. These characteristic features were then used to identify the material in situ using stored data with a statistical probability, representing the accuracy of material characterisation. Although, the techniques developed were mainly intended for identification of mineral deposits in petroleum pipelines the approach can be used for general applications.