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Computer simulation of radiography can be used for different purposes in NDT, such as qualification of NDT systems, optimization of radiographic parameters, feasibility analysis, model-based data interpretation, and training of NDT/NDE personnel. BAM has been working on modeling in the field of radiographic testing for many years. With the gathered theoretical background and the familiarity with practical requirements of industrial application the simulation software aRTist has been developed. This analytical simulator includes a description of the radiation source, the interaction of radiation with test pieces and flaws, and the detection process with special focus on film and digital industrial radiology. It features high processing speed with nearinteractive frame rates and a high level of realism. Here we focus on the recent developments of the simulator, notably the release of aRTist version 2. Extended functionality regarding automated virtual computed tomography now allows for arbitrary scan paths. Another program extension supports reliability investigations and provides a user interface for planning automatic simulations with varying parameters and defects.
Modelling becomes more and more important in modern NDE. It is increasingly used to optimize techniques for complex applications and to support the preparation of written procedures. Hence, computer simulation nowadays has to be able to handle all significant properties of an NDE system with sufficient accuracy. In case of radiographic applications this includes models of the radiation source, of the interaction of radiation with materials, of the detection process, and the geometrical description of the part or the construction. Depending on the given inspection problem and the influencing factors that should be addressed by the simulation an appropriate physical model has to be chosen to describe the underlying interaction mechanisms. The simulator aRTist combines analytical and Monte Carlo methods to efficiently model the radiation transport. Simulation is a powerful tool to separate different influencing factors. Here we focus on Monte-Carlo simulation of scatter contributions within aRTist.
Modelling becomes more and more important in modern NDE. It is increasingly used to optimize techniques for complex applications, to support the preparation of written procedures, and for education purposes. To describe the complete chain of RT, the model includes simulating all necessary properties of X- or Gamma-ray sources, the interaction of photons with material with special attention to scattered radiation, the detection process, and the complete geometrical RT setup handling arbitrary parts or constructions. Depending on the given inspection problem and the influencing factors that should be addressed by the simulation, an appropriate physical model has to be chosen to describe the underlying interaction mechanisms. The simulator aRTist combines analytical and Monte Carlo methods to efficiently model the radiation transport such that transmission as well as scatter techniques can be modelled. In this contribution we Focus on Monte Carlo Simulation of scatter contribution within aRTist. Examples for RT/tomographic applications and back-scatter techniques are presented to demonstrate the usability of the presented simulation tool for a broad range of radiological applications.
Correctly modeling the continuous photon spectrum of X-ray tubes requires detailed knowledge of the probability distribution of electron properties at the time of X-ray photon creation, in particular electron energy, depth within the target, and direction of movement. Semi-analytical X-ray spectrum models frequently assume a very simplified or even uniform distribution of electron direction. In the case of thick targets and small deviations from normal incidence this is a useful approximation. For thin targets or large deviations from normal incidence the correct distribution of electron directions becomes more important. As calculation speed is an important aspect of semi-analytical models compared to Monte Carlo simulations, fast evaluation of the distribution of electron properties is highly desirable. The approach presented here numerically evaluates the evolution of a discrete probability distribution of electron properties due to single electron scatter interactions within a plane target. This allows capturing the important aspects of the electron distribution while achieving runtimes of a few seconds up to a minute on a standard office PC.
One essential step on the way towards accurate quantitative simulation of radiographic testing is an accurate description of the utilized energy spectrum of X-ray photons. For use in general purpose simulation tools, the spectra of X-ray tubes have to be described by a model covering at least the intended range of applications. This range includes transmission tubes as well as direct beam tubes with varying angles of incidence and emission, for a number of typical target materials. In radiographic testing acceleration voltages frequently reach up to 450 kV for direct beam targets and up to 225 kV for transmission targets, with even higher voltages available or being developed. Currently used models are unable to cover the whole range of configurations.
Here a model is presented that employs a unified approach for simulating the photon energy spectra for transmission and direct beam targets composed of arbi-trary homogeneous materials. In order to achieve this, a detailed model of electron transport within the target is employed. The validity of the developed model is shown through comparisons with Monte Carlo simulations as well as measurements for a number of different configurations.
A model is discussed which describes the generation of X-rays in conventional tubes using tabulated bremsstrahlung energy spectra depending on three variables: the target atomic number, the incident electron kinetic energy, and the fraction of energy radiated. Additionally a parameter-free description of the characteristic radiation is included. The constructed model includes technical tube parameters like kilovoltage, target material, and angles of electron incidence and photon emission to also account for self-absorption in the target, as well as radiographic parameters like filtering. In order to verify model results, detector response is also considered. The validity of the proposed model is shown by measurements. Future work includes the extension of the model to transmission targets. This research was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology under contract MNPQ transfer II D 5-30/06.
The new standard ISO 176362:2013 'NDT of welds: Radiographic testing - Part 2: X- and gamma ray techniques with digital detectors' describes a complex procedure for film replacement by phosphor imaging plates and digital detector arrays. RT modeling software should consider these detector types, X-ray film, and the standard requirements for image quality. Practitioners expect the same visibility of image quality indicators (IQI) in the simulated radiographs as in the experimental exposures. The proposed benchmark test is based on the comparison of experimental radiographs taken at BAM with modeled ones of participants. The experimental setup and the determination of the equivalent penetrameter sensitivity (EPS) as described in the procedure of ASTM E 746 are used for quantitative evaluation of the achievable contrast sensitivity for step hole IQIs as considered in Annex B of ISO 17636-2. System classification data for Computed Radiography (CR) and film systems will be provided by BAM according to ISO 116991 for selected film systems and according to ASTM E 2446 for selected CR systems. The classification of films and digital detectors is based on the measurement of the dose response function, the basic spatial resolution (SRb) of the image, and the measured image noise, which depends on the detector efficiency, the quantum statistics, and the detector fixed pattern noise.
The computer simulation of radiography is applicable for different purposes in NDT such as for the qualification of NDT systems, the optimization of system parameters, feasibility analysis, model-based data interpretation, education and training of NDT/NDE personnel, and others. Within the framework of the European project PICASSO simulators will be adapted to support reliability assessments of NDT tasks. The radiographic simulator aRTist developed by BAM is well suited for this task. It combines analytical modelling of the RT inspection process with the CAD-orientated object description applicable to various industrial sectors such as power generation, aerospace, railways and others. The analytic model includes the description of the radiation source, the interaction of Radiation
with the material of the part, and the detection process with special focus to DIR. To support reliability estimations the simulation tool is completed by a tool for probability of detection (POD) estimation. It consists of a user interface for planning automatic simulation runs with varying parameters, specifically defect variations.
Further, an automatic image analysis procedure is included to evaluate the defect visibility and calculate the POD therefrom.