The reliability investigations are dedicated to throw light on the performance of the NDE system with
respect to the required aim. This is especially of interest when digitized and processed signals are
involved where it becomes hard to assess whether the quality of the system has raised or not. Three
different ways to investigate reliability of NDE signals will be described. The first way of investigation,
the performance demonstration, is preferred e.g. in the US American nuclear power industry. This is an
integral consideration of the non destructive test as a system where the whole NDE system is packed in a
black box and only the input in terms of the real existing flaws in the component is considered and
compared to the output in terms of the indications of the human inspector or of the automated system.
The second the European tradition relies on a standardized description of physical/technical
parameters of the NDE system which are preconditions for successful system performance. An example
for such a standardized set of performance parameters is given in the recently released standard about Xray
film digitization CEN EN 14096. The third approach the modular conception is a marriage of
both: The signal chain is cut into main modules. Each module is assessed in a most appropriate
individual way e.g. via modeling calculations. The single results are joint together according to the
reliability of the subsystems. Separating criteria for the system were proposed through a reliability
formula developed during a series of European-American workshops on NDE reliability. Examples of
all three approaches will be given.
New methodologies for evaluating the reliability of NDE systems are discussed in accordance with the specific
requirements of industrial application. After a review of the substantive issues from the previous decades, the go
forward guidance is concluded.
For high safety demands a quantitative probability of detection (POD) created from hit miss
experiments or signal response analysis and ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) are typically created. The
modular model distinguishes between the influence of pure physics and technique, industrial application factors
and the human factor and helps to learn what factors are covered by modelling, open or blind trials. A new
paradigm is offered to consider the POD or reliability of the system as a function of the configuration of input
variables and use it for optimisation rather than for a final judgement. New approaches are considered dealing
with real defects in a realistic environment, affordable but precisely like the Bayesian approach or model assisted
methods.
Among the influencing parameters, the human factor is of high importance. A systematic psychological
approach helps to find out where the bottlenecks are and shows possibilities for improvement.
Es werden die Fortschritte bei der Bewertung der Zuverlässigkeit von ZfP-Systemen in den vergangenen 10 Jahren vorgestellt. Der modulare Ansatz bzw. die systematische Auflistung aller wesentlichen Einflussfaktoren stehen am Anfang jeder Bewertung, die jeweils spezifisch für einen industriellen bzw. Feldeinsatz angelegt wird. Weiterhin legt die zu Grunde liegende Sicherheitsanforderung fest, ob ein exaktes quantitatives statistisches Ergebnis z. B. für die Fehlergröße, die mit hoher Sicherheit detektiert wird angestrebt wird oder ob man sich mit einer qualitativen Abschätzung zufrieden geben kann. Moderne Werkzeuge wie das 'Design of Experiments' (Statistische Versuchsplanung), die Volumen-POD für ein Bauteil als ganzes oder auch die systematische psychologische Betrachtung des menschlichen Faktors unterstützen die Treffsicherheit der Untersuchung für den gewünschten Einsatzfall. Die Ergebnisse der ZfP-Prüfungen können immer nur so gut sein, wie der Mensch mit den Bedingungen zurechtkommt. Weiterhin kann die POD im Zusammenhang mit den Prozessparametern als helfendes Optimierungswerkzeug eingesetzt werden und nicht als endgültige Be(Ver)urteilung. Es werden Beispiele aus Bereichen der Energieerzeugung und Endlagerung präsentiert.
The paper will give an overview of new methodology for evaluating the
reliability of NDE systems accurately, reliably and efficiently in accordance with the
specific requirements of industrial application. After a review of the substantive
issues from the previous workshops, the go forward guidance from these
interactions is considered.
At the beginning of the reliability analysis, the actual safety demands have to
be defined in order to fit the investigation to the level of risk when the component
would fail. Next, all the essential influencing parameters need to be documented and
transferred to an appropriate design of experiments (DOE) to determine the
reliability in terms of a qualitative assessment for lower risk or in terms of a
quantitative probability of detection (POD) or ROC (Receiver Operating
Characteristics) curves for higher safety demands. A new paradigm is offered to
consider the POD or reliability of the system as a function of the configuration of
input variables and use it for optimisation rather than for a final judgement. An
advantage for the end user is also to sample all single PODs to an integral 'Volume
POD' of a part.
Among the influencing parameters, the human factor is the most important one.
A systematic psychological approach shall help to find out where the bottlenecks are
but most importantly to provide best possible working conditions for the human
inspectors.