Multi-sensor data fusion using geometric transformations for the nondestructive evaluation of gas transmission pipelines

<p>Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) plays a vital component in the operation and maintenance of large infrastructure such as gas transmission pipelines, nuclear power plants, aircraft, bridges and highways, etc. As this infrastructure continues to age it is essential that the inspection techniques reliably and accurately predict the integrity of these systems. No single NDE method is capable of inspecting all types of anomalies and extracting all required information – a combination of methods must be used and the resulting data fused. Moreover, newer systems that are developed are often made of composite materials that include metals and dielectrics. One interrogation modality cannot be used to inspect such components for reliability – multiple tests are always needed.</p> <p>This thesis presents a technique that can be used to fuse data from multiple sensors that are employed in modem NDE applications, specifically in the in-line inspection of gas transmission pipelines. A radial basis function artificial neural network is used to perform geometric transformations on data obtained from multiple sources. The technique allows the user to define the redundant and complementary information present in the data sets. The efficacy of the algorithm is demonstrated using simulated canonical images and experimental images obtained from the NDE of a test specimen suite using magnetic flux leakage, ultrasonic and thermal imaging methods. The results presented in this thesis indicate that neural network based geometric transformation algorithms show considerable promise in multi-sensor data fusion applications.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S. in Engineering

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical & Computer Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2003

Author dc:creator

• Kulick, Philip James

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mandayam, Shreekanth

• Gas pipelines; Nondestructive testing
• Electrical and Computer Engineering

Repository record dc:identifier

https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1333

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-2333