The　application　of　the　time　reversal　method　in　pipe-like　structures　based　on　finite　element　method　(FEM)　is　investigated.　A　steel　pipe　model　measuring　70　mm　x　3.5　mm　is　used　to　analyze　the　reflection　coefficient　of　the　L(0,2)　mode　with　the　time　reversal　process.　Simulation　results　show　that　the　time　reversal　array　method　is　beneficial　to　the　improvement　of　the　signalto-noise　ratio　of　a　guided　wave　inspection　system.　As　the　intercepting　window　is　widened,　more　energy　is　included　in　re-emitted　signals,　which　leads　to　a　large　reflection　coefficient　of　the　L(0,2)　mode.　In　parallel,　a　circumferential　locating　method　based　on　the　time　reversal　method　is　described.　The　time　reversal　process　used　for　guided　wave　inspection　leads　to　the　temporal　and　spatial　focusing.　When　the　time　reversal　signals　are　re-emitted,　the　angular　profile　obtained　at　the　axial　location　of　the　defect　can　be　used　to　determine　the　circumferential　location　of　the　defect.　Except　for　a　pipe　with　one　defect,　the　circumferential　locating　method　has　been　verified　on　another　pipe　model　with　two　defects.　Meanwhile,　the　elements　number　of　the　time　reversal　array　has　been　discussed　for　enhancing　the　discrimination　of　the　defect　circumferential　location.　©　2008　Higher　Education　Press　and　Springer-Verlag　GmbH.