Investigation of numerical precision of 3-D RFECT signal simulations

This paper evaluates the numerical precision of a three-dimensional A/sub r/ method with edge-based finite elements in the simulation of remote field eddy-current testing of a ferromagnetic tube. The method is employed with a suitable formula for the electromotive force signal calculation in magnetic materials. Using a supercomputer, analyses of the mesh division effect on numerical precision are carried out to find out the proper mesh conditions for signal simulations of 3-D defects. Good agreements of the simulated signals with experimental ones are obtained using this method with an acceptable computational resource. In this way, the 3-D simulation of remote field eddy-current testing signals for a magnetic tube has become possible in practical applications.