Data fusion is a rapidly developing technology which involves the combination of information supplied by several NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) sensors to provide a more complete and understandable picture of structural integrity. This text is the first to be devoted exclusively to the concept of multisensor integration and data fusion applied to NDT. The advantages of this methodology are widely acknowledged and the author presents an excellent introduction to data fusion processes. Problems are approached progressively through detailed case studies, offering practical guidance for those wishing to develop and explore NDT data fusion further. This book will prove invaluable to inspectors, students and researchers concerned with NDT signal processing measurements and testing. It shows the great value and major benefits which can be achieved by implementing multisensor data fusion, not only in NDT but also in any discipline where measurements and testing are key activities.

NDE data fusion methodologies and algorithms were refined and implemented under this program and have been packaged and delivered to the Air Force in a visually programmable, object oriented application builder software package entitled INDERS 3. An important functional element of this package is the ability to integrate part geometry models with associated NDT data. Three case studies were selected and conducted during the development of the package. The first case study applies to the development of a low cost manufacturing process for the Joint Strike Fighter composite wingbox. The second case study examined the effect on radar performance of maintenance and repair of the E-3 AWACS radome. The third case study applied to evaluation of B1-B weapons bay doors for in service damage. The package was implemented on a purchased Silicon Graphics workstation which was used for the case studies and was delivered to the Air Force at the conclusion of the contract. The results of the effort were presented to both industry and Air Force personnel in a series of meetings, demonstrations, and software installations.

Non-destructive testing (NDT) systems can generate incomplete, incorrect or conflicting information about a flaw or a defect. Therefore, the use of more than one NDT system is usually required for accurate defect detection and/or quantification. In addition to a reduction in inspection time, important cost savings could be achieved if a data fusion process is developed to combine signals from multisensor systems for manual and remotely operated inspections. This gathering of data from multiple sources and an efficient processing of information help in decision making, reduce signal uncertainty and increase the overall performance of a non-destructive examination. This book gathers, for the first time, essays from leading NDT experts involved in data fusion. It explores the concept of data fusion by providing a comprehensive review and analysis of the applications of NDT data fusion. This publication concentrates on NDT data fusion for industrial applications and highlights progress and applications in the field of data fusion in areas ranging from materials testing in the aerospace industry to medical applications. Each chapter contains a specific case study with a theoretical part but also presents experimental results from a practical point of view. The book should be considered more as a pragmatic introduction to the applications of NDT data fusion rather than a rigorous basis for theoretical studies.

Non-destructive testing (NDT) systems can generate incomplete, incorrect or conflicting information about a flaw or a defect. Therefore, the use of more than one NDT system is usually required for accurate defect detection and/or quantification. In addition to a reduction in inspection time, important cost savings could be achieved if a data fusion process is developed to combine signals from multisensor systems for manual and remotely operated inspections. This gathering of data from multiple sources and an efficient processing of information help in decision making, reduce signal uncertainty and increase the overall performance of a non-destructive examination. This book gathers, for the first time, essays from leading NDT experts involved in data fusion. It explores the concept of data fusion by providing a comprehensive review and analysis of the applications of NDT data fusion. This publication concentrates on NDT data fusion for industrial applications and highlights progress and applications in the field of data fusion in areas ranging from materials testing in the aerospace industry to medical applications. Each chapter contains a specific case study with a theoretical part but also presents experimental results from a practical point of view. The book should be considered more as a pragmatic introduction to the applications of NDT data fusion rather than a rigorous basis for theoretical studies.

"Data fusion is a technique for combining data obtained from multiple sources for an enhanced detection or decision. Fusion of data can be done at the raw-data level, feature level or decision level. Applications of data fusion include defense (such as battlefield surveillance and autonomous vehicle control), medical diagnosis and structural health monitoring. Techniques for data fusion have been drawn from areas such as statistics, image processing, pattern recognition and computational intelligence. This dissertation includes investigation and development of methods to perform data fusion for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and medical imaging applications. The general framework for these applications includes region-of-interest (ROI) detection followed by feature extraction and classification of the detected ROI. Image processing methods such as edge detection and projection-based methods were used for ROI detection. The features extracted from the detected ROIs include texture, color, shape/geometry and profile-based correlation. Analysis and classification of the detected ROIs was performed using feature- and decision-level data fusion techniques such as fuzzy-logic, statistical methods and voting algorithms"--Abstract, leaf iv

The objectives of this research project are: (1) To design sensor data fusion algorithms that can synergistically combine defect related information from heterogeneous sensors used in gas pipeline inspection for reliably and accurately predicting the condition of the pipe-wall. (2) To develop efficient data management techniques for signals obtained during multisensor interrogation of a gas pipeline. During this reporting period, Rowan University fabricated test specimens with simulated defects for nondestructive evaluation (NDE); designed and developed two versions of a test platform for performing multi-sensor interrogation of test specimens under loaded conditions simulating pressurized gas pipelines; and performed acoustic emission (AE) NDE on the test specimens. The data resulting from this work will be employed for designing multi-sensor data fusion algorithms during the next reporting period.