Abstract: The finite element method is used to investigate the effect of a time reversal method on the guided wave inspection in pipes.Two steel pipe models with different kinds of defects are empLoyed to analyze the reflection coefficients of L(0,2) mode when the time reversal method is used.The numerical simulations show that the temporal-spatial focusing effect of the time reversal method can realize energy focusing on the defect. Therefore,the time reversal guided wave method is more favorable for the small defect inspection in pipes.