2013 SECTION V

MANDATORY APPENDIX VIII

ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR A FRACTURE
MECHANICS BASED ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
VIII-410

VIII-431

SCOPE

The ultrasonic examination shall be performed using a

system employing automated or semi-automated scanning
with computer based data acquisition and analysis abilities. The examination for transverse reflectors may be
performed manually per T-472.1.3 unless the referencing
Code Section specifies it also shall be by an automated or
semi-automated scan.

This Mandatory Appendix provides requirements when

an automated or semi-automated ultrasonic examination
is performed for fracture mechanics based19 acceptance
criteria.

VIII-420

INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL

The requirements of Article 4 apply except as modified

by this Appendix.

VIII-432.1 General. The normal frequency shall be the

same as used in the qualification.

VIII-421.2 Procedure Qualification. Procedure qualification is required per Mandatory Appendix IX.

VIII-434.2.4 Scanner Block. A block shall be fabricated meeting the requirements of T-434. 1 and
Figure T-434.2.1 except that its thickness, T , shall be within the lesser of 1/4 in. (6 mm) or 25% of the material thickness to be examined and the number and position of the
side-drilled holes shall be adequate to confirm the sensitivity setting of each probe, or probe pair in the case of a
TOFD setup, as positioned per the scan plan in the scanner.
The scanner block is in addition to the calibration block required per Article 4, unless the scanner block also has all
t h e s p ec i f i e d r e f e r e n c e r e f le c t o r s r e q u i r e d p e r
Figure T-434.2.1.

VIII-421.3 Written Procedure and Procedure Qualification. The requirements of Table T-421 and Table
VIII-421 shall apply.

VIII-423

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

Only qualified UT personnel trained in the use of the

equipment and who have demonstrated the ability to
properly acquire examination data, shall conduct production scans. Personnel who analyze and interpret the collected data shall be a Level II or III who have
documented training in the use of the equipment and software used.
The training and demonstration requirements shall be
addressed in the employers written practice.

VIII-442

The original scanning data, unprocessed, shall be saved

electronically (e.g., magnetic, optical, flash memory, etc.).
VIII-466.1 System Confirmation Scan. The scanner
block shall be scanned and the reference reflector indications recorded to confirm that prior to and at the completion of each examination or series of similar examinations,
when examination personnel (except for automated
equipment) are changed, and if the scan plan is required
to be modified (i.e., VIII-483) to satisfy the requirements
of T-466.3.

Table VIII-421
Requirements of an Ultrasonic Examination
Procedure for Fracture Mechanics Based
Acceptance Criteria
Requirement (as Applicable)
Scan plan
Computer software
Scanning technique (automated vs.
semi automated)
Flaw sizing (length) methodology
Search unit mechanical fixturing device
(manufacturer and model)
Scanner and adhering and guiding
mechanism

Essential
Variable

Nonessential
Variable

X
X
X

...
...
...

X
X

...
...

...

SCANNING DATA

VIII-466.2 Calibration Checks. The requirements of

T-466.2 are not applicable to this Appendix.
VIII-466.2.1 Simulator Checks. The requirements
of T-466.2.1 are not applicable to this Appendix.
VIII-471.1 Examination Coverage. The volume to be
scanned shall be examined per the scan plan.
VIII-471.3 Rate of Search Unit Movement. The rate of
search unit movement shall not exceed that qualified.
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ARTICLE 4

VIII-471.4 Scanning Sensitivity Level. The scanning

sensitivity level shall not be less than that qualified.

(b) The height of the flaw shall be the dimension of the

rectangle that is normal to the inside pressure-retaining
surface of the component.

VIII-482.2 Non-Distance Amplitude Techniques. All

indication images that have indicated lengths greater than
the following shall be evaluated in terms of the acceptance
criteria of the referencing Code Section:
(a) 0.15 in. (4 mm) for welds in material equal to or less
than 11/2 in. (38 mm) thick
(b) 0.20 in. (5 mm) for welds in material greater than
11/2 in. (38 mm) thick but less than 4 in. (100 mm) thick
(c) 0.05T or 3/4 in. (19 mm), whichever is less, for welds
in material greater than 4 in. (100 mm). (T = nominal material thickness adjacent to the weld.)
For welds joining two different thicknesses of material,
material thickness shall be based on the thinner of the two
materials.

VIII-483

VIII-486.2 Category. Flaws shall be categorized as

being surface or subsurface based on their separation distance from the nearest component surface.
(a) If the space is equal to or less than one-half the
height of the flaw, then the flaw shall be categorized as a
surface flaw.20
(b) If the space is greater than one-half the height of the
flaw, then the flaw shall be categorized as a subsurface
flaw.

VIII-487

EVALUATION OF LAMINAR
REFLECTORS

VIII-488

EVALUATION BY MANUFACTURER

The Manufacturer shall be responsible for the review,

interpretation, evaluation, and acceptance of the completed scan data to assure compliance with the requirements of Article 4, this Appendix, and the referencing
Code Section. Acceptance shall be completed prior to presentation of the scan data and accompanying documentation to the Inspector.

EVALUATION SETTINGS

Final flaw evaluation shall only be made after all display

parameter adjustments (e.g., contrast, brightness, and, if
applicable, lateral and backwall removal and SAFT processing, etc.) have been completed.

VIII-486

SUPPLEMENTAL MANUAL TECHNIQUES

Flaws detected during the automated or semiautomated scan may be alternatively evaluated, if applicable, by supplemental manual techniques.

Reflectors evaluated as laminar reflectors in the base

material which interfere with the scanning of the examination volume shall require the scan plan to be modified
such that the maximum feasible volume is examined and
shall be noted in the record of the examination (T-493).

VIII-485

ARTICLE 4

VIII-492

EXAMINATION RECORD

The required information of T-490 and the following information shall be recorded:
(a) scan plan
(b) scanner and adhering and guiding mechanism
(c) indication data [i.e., position in weld, length, and
characterization (e.g., crack, lack of fusion, lack of penetration, or inclusion)]
(d) the final display processing levels
(e) supplemental manual technique(s) indication data,
if applicable [same information as (c)]

SIZE AND CATEGORY

VIII-486.1 Size. The dimensions of the flaw shall be

determined by the rectangle that fully contains the area
of the flaw.
(a) The length of the flaw shall be the dimension of the
rectangle that is parallel to the inside pressure-retaining
surface of the component.

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2013 SECTION V