선체구조의 품질검사 중 가장 일반적인 방법의 하나는 비파괴검사이다. 하지만 복합소재 선체는 강화재와 수지로 구성된 여러가지 재료가 섞여 있고 또 생산환경과 작업자에 따라 FRP(Fiber-Reinforced Plastics) 제작품질에 차이가 발생할 가능성이 크기 때문에 정확한 검사평가는 쉽지 않은 일이다. 특히 FRP 선박의 경우에는 다른 구조물보다 두께가 매우 두껍고 주로 수척층 공법을 이용하기 때문에 더욱 그렇다. 초음파 탐상의 조건 중 검사체의 밀도가 매우 중요하기 때문에 본 연구에서는 FRP 선박 제작에 널리 사용되고 있는 소재와 유리섬유강화재 중량 비율로 제작된 선박의 외판을 검사체로 선정하고, Pulse-Echo 초음파 탐상기를 활용하여 GFRP(Glass Fiber-Reinforced Plastics) 선체 외판의 초음파 탐상을 위한 적정 조건을 조사하였다. 1.00 MHz, 2.25 MHz, 5.00 MHz 세 종류 탐촉자로 A-Scan 을 실시하였으며 선체 외판의 두께 검사결과와 비교분석함으로써 적정 초음파 탐상 조건을 찾고자 하였다. 연구결과 탐촉자의 초음파 주파수가 높아질수록 수신자의 반사파 음향 속력을 감소시켜야 더 정도 높은 두께 측정 결과를 얻을 수 있었으며, 상대적으로 낮은 초음파 주파수 탐촉자에서 더 적은 오차가 발생함을 확인할 수 있었다.

Properties of aggregation and spatial distribution of fish were examined based on three lines in the South Sea of Korea using three frequencies (18, 38, and 120 kHz) of a scientific echosounder. The vertical distribution of fish was displayed using acoustic biomass namely nautical area scattering coefficient (NASC). As a result, at 120 kHz high NASC showed from water surface to 20 meters in deep while at 18 and 38 kHz very high NASC presented in 70 ~ 90 meters in depth, especially at line 3. Among three lines, the line 2 had lowest NASC. The horizontal distribution of fish using three frequencies together exhibited high NASC between the eastern South Sea and center of South Sea. In especial, NASC (801 ~ 1,920 m2/n·mile2) was observed along coastal waters from Busan to Tongyeong, Geoje, and Namhae. In regard with the property of aggregation of fish schools, the volume back-scattering strength (SV) of three lines presented close each other, however, the range of SV in the line 2 was shortest (-53.5 ~ -43.4 dB). The average distributional depth was deep in the order of L3 (32.8 ± 9.0 m), L1 (45.2 ± 9.5m), L2 (49.7 ± 5.6 m). The average altitude was high in the order of L3 (13.4 ± 10.3 m), L1 (17.0 ± 12.6 m), L2 (56.7 ± 5.6 m). The average length, thickness, and area were large in the order of L1, L3, and L2. This means that small sized fish schools were distributed near water surface in the line 2 while relatively large and similar sized fish aggregations between line 1 and line 3 appeared however, fish schools at line 3 had lower distributional depth and smaller compared to those at line 1. Acoustic data were visualized for demonstrating the entire circumstances of survey area. Additionally, there was no correlation between acoustic and trawl results.