Guided waves for damage identification in pipeline structures: A review

Guided waves find their niche in cost-effective damage identification in comparison with conventional nondestructive evaluation. Comprehensive research has been conducted since the 1980s, focusing on the detection of a wide variety of types of damage in metallic and composite structures. The main scope of this paper is to present a review of state-of-the-art guided wave-based approaches for damage identification in pipeline structures. Theoretical analyses of the interaction between linear and nonlinear guided waves and damage are addressed in detail. Numerical simulations and experimental studies of damage identification in pipeline structures using both linear and nonlinear guided waves are elaborated. Other issues including bends in pipes, effects of environmental and operational conditions on the performance of guided waves are another focus of this review. Future challenge in this field is summarised at the end of this review.