This paper addresses implementation of ultrasonic (UT) process qualification by performance demonstration as imposed by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section XI, Appendix VIII. The intended audience for the present paper is an engineer with a good knowledge of NDE, but a limited knowledge of the ASME Codes and Standards. The starting point for application of UT performance demonstration is described in a paper published in this journal just over a decade ago by Cowfer and Hedden. That paper addressed the application of ultrasonic performance demonstration to qualify an examination process for ASME Code Section XI inservice inspection. The present paper provides a brief summary of papers specifically selected to provide the reader with a concise update of progress in UT performance demonstration since the earlier paper. Given that qualification, the reader should not expect new information in this present paper. The papers selected have been mostly selected from those presented at ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping Conferences, from 1995 to 2002, addressing the subsequent development and application of the UT performance demonstration process. The emphasis is on work performed for nuclear utilities under the Performance Demonstration Initiative (PDI), for application to Section XI inservice inspection. However, material also is included describing parallel work in the European Community, and applications of UT performance demonstration in Sections I and VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, for use of UT in place of RT for new construction, are included.

1.
Appendix VIII, 1989, “Performance Demonstration for Ultrasonic Examination System,” Section XI of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, 1989 Addenda, ASME, New York, NY.
2.
Cowfer
,
C. D.
, and
Hedden
,
O. F.
,
1991
, “
Overview of the ASME Section XI Code Relating to NDE and Ultrasonic Examination Performance Demonstration
,”
ASME J. Pressure Vessel Technol.
,
113
, pp.
170
173
.
3.
Effectiveness of Nondestructive Examination Systems and Performance Demonstration, 1995, ASME PVP-Vol. 317.
4.
Ashwin, P. J., Becker, F. L., Latiolais, C. L., and Spanner, J. C., 1996, Practical Experience and Lessons Learned Through Implementation of Appendix VIII Performance Demonstration Requirements, ASME PVP-Vol. 322, pp. 33–36.
5.
Walker, S. M., and Ammirato, F. V., 1996, “Application of Damage Mechanism-Specific NDE Methods in Support of Risk-Informed Inspections;” ASME PVP-Vol. 339, pp. 115–119.
6.
Walker, S. M., 1998, “Damage Mechanism—Specific NDE Methods Support Risk-Informed Inspections,” ASME PVP-Vol. 375, pp. 159–164.
7.
Goto, M., Yokote, Y., Tanaka, H., Nimura, H., Tahara, Y., and Cowfer, C. D., 1998, “Ultrasonic Time-of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Procedure for Welds According to ASME Code Case 2235 in Lieu of Radiographic Examination,” ASME PVP-Vol. 375, pp. 141–149.
8.
Rana, M., Cowfer, D., Hedden, O., and Boyce, R., 2000, “Technical Basis for ASME Section VIII Code Case 2235 on Ultrasonic Examination of Welds in Lieu of Radiography,” ASME PVP-Vol. 407, pp. 3–14.
9.
Goto, M., Tanaka, H., Nimura, H., and Cowfer, C. D., 2000, “Study—Code Case 2235 Application of TOFD to Reactors,” ASME PVP-Vol. 407, pp. 15–22.
10.
Modes, M. C., 2001, “Implementation of ASME Section XI, Appendix VIII, and 10CFR50.55a,” ASME PVP-Vol. 422, pp. 105–109.
11.
Becker, F. L., 2001, “Basis of Revision to ASME Section XI Appendix VIII Performance Demonstration Requirements,” ASME PVP-Vol. 422, pp. 193–196.
12.
Becker, F. L., 2001, “Examination Effectiveness Based on Performance Demonstration Results for Flaws at the Clad-to-Base Metal Interface,” Proc., 3rd Int. Conf. NDE in Relation to Structural Integrity for Nuclear and Pressurized Components, Seville, Spain, November 14–16.
13.
Becker, F. L., 2001, “Performance Demonstration—25 Years of Progress,” Proc., 3rd Int. Conf. NDE in Relation to Structural Integrity for Nuclear and Pressurized Components, Seville, Spain, November 14–16.
14.
Moles, M. D. C., Ginzel, E., and Dube, N., 2002, “Quantitative NDT and Fitness For Purpose,” Proc., ASME PVP Conference.
15.
MacDonald, D. E., Landrum, J. L., Dennis, M. A., and Selby, G. P., 2002, “Phased Array UT Technology for Nuclear Pipe Inspection,” Proc., ASME PVP Conference.
16.
Harris
,
D. C.
,
Spanner
,
J. C.
, and
Turnbow
,
M. L.
,
2001
, “
Nondestructive Testing Workforce Availability
,”
Mater. Eval.
,
59
, No. 11, American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Columbus, OH, pp.
1281
1284
.
17.
Spanner, J. Jr., and Selby, G., 2002, “Sizing Stress Corrosion Cracking in Natural Gas Pipelines Using Phased-Array Ultrasound,” Proc., ASME PVP Conference.
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