Probability of detection model for the non-destructive inspection of steam generator tubes of PWRs

This study proposes a probability of detection (POD) model to discuss the capability of non-destructive testing methods for the detection of stress corrosion cracks appearing in the steam generator tubes of pressurized water reactors. Three-dimensional finite element simulations were conducted to evaluate eddy current signals due to stress corrosion cracks. The simulations consider an absolute type pancake probe and model a stress corrosion crack as a region with a certain electrical conductivity inside to account for eddy currents flowing across a flaw. The probabilistic nature of a non-destructive test is simulated by varying the electrical conductivity of the modelled stress corrosion cracking. A two-dimensional POD model, which provides the POD as a function of the depth and length of a flaw, is presented together with a conventional POD model characterizing a flaw using a single parameter. The effect of the number of the samples on the PODs is also discussed.