CASE

CASES OF ASME BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL CODE 2557

Approval Date: September 18, 2006
The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Standards Committee took action to
eliminate Code Case expiration dates effective March 11, 2005. This means that
all Code Cases listed in this Supplement and beyond will remain available for
use until annulled by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Standards Committee.

Case 2557 (c) Calibration may also be performed on other reflec-

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Use of Manual Phased Array S-Scan Ultrasonic tors besides side drilled holes, e.g. notches, when permitted
Examination Per Article 4 by the referencing code.
Section V (d) The focal law2 to be used during examination shall
be used for calibration.
E Inquiry: Under what conditions and limitations may (e) In addition to the essential variables listed in
manual phased array ultrasonic examination be utilized per Table T-421 and the data required to be recorded per T-492,
Section V Article 4 when utilizing an S-scan1 with raster the following parameters shall be considered essential vari-
scanning? ables and recorded:
(1) element pitch and gap dimension
Reply: It is the opinion of the Committee that weld (2) focus (identify plane, depth, or sound path as
examinations may be performed using manual phased array applicable)
ultrasonic S-scan (PA-UT) techniques utilizing manual ras- (3) virtual aperture use, i.e. number of elements and
ter scanning provided that all of the following additional element width
requirements are met: (4) element numbers used for focal laws
(a) Amplitude Control Linearity checks shall be per- (5) angular range of S-scan
formed on each pulser-receiver circuit in the ultrasonic unit. (6) documentation on permitted wedge angular range
(b) Beam Calibration. All individual beams used in the from manufacturer
examination shall be calibrated to provide measurement (7) documented calibration, TCG, and Angle Gain
of distance and amplitude correction over the sound path Compensation
employed in the examination. This shall include applicable (8) scan pattern to ensure coverage
compensation for wedge sound path variations and wedge (f) If the phased array instrument can display multiple
attenuation effects. scans simultaneously on the screen, e.g. multiple S-scans,
then these scans can be used concurrently.
1
An S-scan (also called a Sector, Sectorial or Azimuthal scan) may (g) Normally, a linear array would be used for manual
refer to either the beam movement or the data display. S-scans, though other types of array are permitted.
(a) When used to refer to the beam movement, it refers to the set of (h) This Case number shall be shown on the
focal laws that provides a fan-like series of beams through a defined
range of angles using the same set of elements. Manufacturer’s Data Report.
(b) As a data display, it is a two-dimensional view of all A-scans from
2
a specific set of elements corrected for delay and refracted angle. Volume- Focal law is defined as a phased array operational file that defines
corrected S-scan images typically show a pie-shaped display with defects the search unit elements and their time delays, for both the transmittal
located at their geometrically correct and measurable positions. and receiver functions.

The Committee’s function is to establish rules of safety, relating only to pressure integrity, governing the construction of boilers, pressure vessels, transport tanks and
nuclear components, and inservice inspection for pressure integrity of nuclear components and transport tanks, and to interpret these rules when questions arise
regarding their intent. This Code does not address other safety issues relating to the construction of boilers, pressure vessels, transport tanks and nuclear components,
and the inservice inspection of nuclear components and transport tanks. The user of the Code should refer to other pertinent codes, standards, laws, regulations or
other relevant documents.

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