Simulation Research on Non-Destructive Testing of Pipeline Based on Ultrasonic Guided Wave

Ultrasonic guided waves enable long-range, low-intrusion inspection of pipelines. This study examines how array topology and axial spacing influence the quality of defect echoes when the longitudinal axisymmetric mode L(0,2) is used. We build COMSOL finite-element models of a steel pipe and excite it with PZT-4 at 80 kHz; three practical layouts are compared: (i) odd–even receiving, (ii) 8-transmit/8-receive, and (iii) 16-transmit/8-receive, arranged as two axially separated groups. The spacing between the groups is chosen to suppress parasitic modes such as L(0,1) and to strengthen L(0,2). Results show that the two-group configuration sharpens the defect echo and reduces modal interference; increasing the number of transmitters further raises the defect-wave amplitude and improves the separation from end-reflection echoes. Among the schemes, 8×8 performs well for small-defect identification, while 16×8 yields the clearest boundaries and fastest defect indication. These findings clarify how sensor number and placement govern modal purity and sensitivity, and they offer practical guidance for designing guided-wave arrays that improve the reliability of long-range pipeline inspection. -