Machine learning techniques in ultrasonics-based defect detection and material characterization: A comprehensive review

Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM) play a critical role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of engineering structures and materials. Among the various NDE techniques, ultrasonic methods are widely regarded as the most effective for damage detection...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Boris I, Kseniia Barashok, Yongjoon Choi, Yeongil Choi, Mohammed Aslam, Jaesun Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-06-01
Series:Advances in Mechanical Engineering
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/16878132251347390
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850209773727776768
author Boris I
Kseniia Barashok
Yongjoon Choi
Yeongil Choi
Mohammed Aslam
Jaesun Lee
author_facet Boris I
Kseniia Barashok
Yongjoon Choi
Yeongil Choi
Mohammed Aslam
Jaesun Lee
author_sort Boris I
collection DOAJ
description Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM) play a critical role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of engineering structures and materials. Among the various NDE techniques, ultrasonic methods are widely regarded as the most effective for damage detection and material characterization due to their high sensitivity and versatility. However, conventional ultrasonic approaches face challenges in analyzing complex signals, limiting their accuracy and efficiency in certain applications. The advent of machine learning (ML) has revolutionized ultrasonic data analysis by utilizing advanced data mining and pattern recognition capabilities to decode intricate signal patterns. This review provides a comprehensive overview of ML techniques applied to ultrasonic-based damage detection and material characterization, including key processes such as data preprocessing and feature engineering. Emphasis is placed on case studies and real-world applications, highlighting ML’s role in defect detection, localization, and material property assessment. Additionally, the paper addresses critical challenges, limitations, and future directions, offering insights into the transformative potential of ML in ultrasonic NDE and SHM.
format Article
id doaj-art-e37b0c9b513f4eda92c6df7710317ec2
institution OA Journals
issn 1687-8140
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher SAGE Publishing
record_format Article
series Advances in Mechanical Engineering
spelling doaj-art-e37b0c9b513f4eda92c6df7710317ec22025-08-20T02:09:56ZengSAGE PublishingAdvances in Mechanical Engineering1687-81402025-06-011710.1177/16878132251347390Machine learning techniques in ultrasonics-based defect detection and material characterization: A comprehensive reviewBoris I0Kseniia Barashok1Yongjoon Choi2Yeongil Choi3Mohammed Aslam4Jaesun Lee5Department of Smart Manufacturing Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon, South KoreaNDE and SHM Lab, Research Institute of Mechatronics, Changwon National University, Changwon, South KoreaDepartment of Smart Manufacturing Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon, South KoreaDepartment of Smart Manufacturing Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon, South KoreaExtreme Environment Design and Manufacturing Innovation Center, Changwon National University, Changwon, South KoreaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon, South KoreaNon-destructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM) play a critical role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of engineering structures and materials. Among the various NDE techniques, ultrasonic methods are widely regarded as the most effective for damage detection and material characterization due to their high sensitivity and versatility. However, conventional ultrasonic approaches face challenges in analyzing complex signals, limiting their accuracy and efficiency in certain applications. The advent of machine learning (ML) has revolutionized ultrasonic data analysis by utilizing advanced data mining and pattern recognition capabilities to decode intricate signal patterns. This review provides a comprehensive overview of ML techniques applied to ultrasonic-based damage detection and material characterization, including key processes such as data preprocessing and feature engineering. Emphasis is placed on case studies and real-world applications, highlighting ML’s role in defect detection, localization, and material property assessment. Additionally, the paper addresses critical challenges, limitations, and future directions, offering insights into the transformative potential of ML in ultrasonic NDE and SHM.https://doi.org/10.1177/16878132251347390
spellingShingle Boris I
Kseniia Barashok
Yongjoon Choi
Yeongil Choi
Mohammed Aslam
Jaesun Lee
Machine learning techniques in ultrasonics-based defect detection and material characterization: A comprehensive review
Advances in Mechanical Engineering
title Machine learning techniques in ultrasonics-based defect detection and material characterization: A comprehensive review
title_full Machine learning techniques in ultrasonics-based defect detection and material characterization: A comprehensive review
title_fullStr Machine learning techniques in ultrasonics-based defect detection and material characterization: A comprehensive review
title_full_unstemmed Machine learning techniques in ultrasonics-based defect detection and material characterization: A comprehensive review
title_short Machine learning techniques in ultrasonics-based defect detection and material characterization: A comprehensive review
title_sort machine learning techniques in ultrasonics based defect detection and material characterization a comprehensive review
url https://doi.org/10.1177/16878132251347390
work_keys_str_mv AT borisi machinelearningtechniquesinultrasonicsbaseddefectdetectionandmaterialcharacterizationacomprehensivereview
AT kseniiabarashok machinelearningtechniquesinultrasonicsbaseddefectdetectionandmaterialcharacterizationacomprehensivereview
AT yongjoonchoi machinelearningtechniquesinultrasonicsbaseddefectdetectionandmaterialcharacterizationacomprehensivereview
AT yeongilchoi machinelearningtechniquesinultrasonicsbaseddefectdetectionandmaterialcharacterizationacomprehensivereview
AT mohammedaslam machinelearningtechniquesinultrasonicsbaseddefectdetectionandmaterialcharacterizationacomprehensivereview
AT jaesunlee machinelearningtechniquesinultrasonicsbaseddefectdetectionandmaterialcharacterizationacomprehensivereview