CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Introduction 1 Dissertation Organization 3 Basic Principles of Phased Arrays 4 Acquisition and Presentation of Ultrasonic Data 5 CHAPTER 2. INTRODUCTION Delay times for even-numbered planar interface forging coupons at a 3.0-inch water path distance and F/6 beam focus using the initial 2D delay time generation method. Longitudinal sound velocity measurements of curved interface forging coupons. Apertures for planar interface forging coupons at a 3.80-inch water path distance. Apertures for curved interface forging coupons at a 3.80-inch water path distance. Delay times for focusing on FBHs in planar interface forging coupons at a 3.8-inch water path distance when using the initial 2D ray-tracing algorithm. Delay times for focusing on FBHs in planar interface forging coupons at a 3.8-inch water path distance when using the refined 2D ray-tracing algorithm. Delay times for focusing on FBHs in curved interface forging coupons at a 3.8-inch water path distance when using the refined 2D ray-tracing algorithm. Grouping 128 transducer elements to 32 delay time generators. Number of delay times required for each curved interface forging coupons when using the 3D ray-tracing algorithm. Effective grouping of delay time sets from the initial and refined 2D methods. Effective grouping of delay time sets from the 3D method. Number of focal laws required when using delay times from the 3D method. Average noise amplitudes in C-scan images where peak amplitudes are 80%FSH. Signal-to-noise ratios in C-scan images. FBH diameters producing SNR of unity as a method of measuring inspection sensitivity. Descriptive statistics for measured parameters. Designations for inspection data groups during statistical hypothesis testing. Null and alternative hypotheses for statistical comparison of measured parameter means. Gain setting Wilcoxon test for differences in mean values. Horizontal beam width Wilcoxon test for differences in mean values. Vertical beam width Wilcoxon test for differences in mean values. Average noise amplitude Wilcoxon test for differences in mean values. Signal-to-noise ratio Wilcoxon test for differences in mean values. FBH diameter inspection sensitivity Wilcoxon test for differences in mean values. Summary of sum of ranks and test statistic, T, for comparing groups W and X. Wilcoxon matched pair signed rank hypothesis tests for comparing groups W and X. Summary of statistical evidence from hypothesis tests when comparing groups W and X. Summary of sum of ranks and test statistic, T, for comparing groups X and Y. Wilcoxon matched pair signed rank hypothesis tests for comparing groups X and Y. Summary of statistical evidence from hypothesis tests when comparing groups X and Y. Summary of sum of ranks and test statistic, T, for comparing groups Y and Z. Wilcoxon matched pair signed rank hypothesis tests for comparing groups Y and Z. Summary of statistical evidence from hypothesis tests when comparing groups Y and Z. Summary of sum of ranks and test statistic, T, for comparing groups ...