INTERNAL ULTRASONIC INSPECTION OF FLEXIBLE PIPE

Methods for internal ultrasonic inspection of flexible pipe have been investigated through experiments with a short sample of Coflexip pipe. Ultrasonic backscatter methods using normal and non-normal incidence have been used for qualitative high contrast ultrasonic imaging of the inner surface of the pipe. Analysis of the internal cross-section has been performed based on the use of a non-contact ultrasonic caliper, and processing procedures which enable calculation of, and compensatio n for, eccentricity of the tool in the pipe. The methods developed can be used to quantitatively estimate the thickness of the internal carc ass, and perform high resolution topographic mapping of the inner surf ace.