LASER SHEAROGRAPHY FOR INSPECTION OF PIPELINES

Shearography is a highly sensitive integral measuring technique to rec ord deformation and strain concentrations on the surface of components . This paper deals with the application of shearography to nondestruct ive inspection of piping. The principle is based on measuring the surf ace deformation of the pipe to be inspected by variation of the pressu re inside the piping. While shearographic piping inspection is already used for inspection of cooling water pipelines in nuclear and convent ional power plants, research work for other types of piping is still g oing on. The technique is applicable to all kinds of material. Example s for inspection of welding seams in austenitic piping, as well as for connections of piping from reinforced plastics, are given.