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Vertical electrical impedance scanning of concrete bridge decks is a non-destructive method for quantifying the degree of protection provided to steel reinforcement against the ingress of corrosive agents. Four concrete bridge decks with asphalt overlays in northern Utah were evaluated using scanning vertical electrical impedance measurements in this study. At the time of testing, the bridges ranged in age from 21 to 34 years, and asphalt overlays had been in place for 7 to 22 years, depending on the bridge. Electrical impedance measurements were collected using a previously constructed apparatus that consisted of six probes spanning a transverse distance of 12 ft. The impedance measurements were compared to surface cracking observations and cores obtained from the same four bridge decks. The results presented in this paper demonstrate the utility of scanning vertical electrical impedance measurements for detecting cracks in asphalt overlays and quantifying their severity. In addition, the results demonstrate the sensitivity of impedance measurements to the presence of an intact membrane beneath the asphalt overlay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new acoustic impact-echo testing device has been developed for detecting and mapping delaminations in concrete bridge decks at highway speeds. The apparatus produces nearly continuous acoustic excitation of concrete bridge decks through rolling mats of chains that are placed around six wheels mounted to a hinged trailer. The wheels approximately span the width of a traffic lane, and the ability to remotely lower and raise the apparatus using a winch system allows continuous data collection without stationary traffic control or exposure of personnel to traffic. Microphones near the wheels are used to record the acoustic response of the bridge deck during testing. In conjunction with the development of this new apparatus, advances in the algorithms required for data analysis were needed. This paper describes the general framework of the algorithms developed for converting differential global positioning system data and multi-channel audio data into maps that can be used in support of engineering decisions about bridge deck maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement (MR&R). Acquisition of position and audio data is coordinated on a laptop computer through a custom graphical user interface. All of the streams of data are synchronized with the universal computer time so that audio data can be associated with interpolated position information through data post-processing. The audio segments are individually processed according to particular detection algorithms that can adapt to variations in microphone sensitivity or particular chain excitations. Features that are greater than a predetermined threshold, which is held constant throughout the analysis, are then subjected to further analysis and included in a map that shows the results of the testing. Maps of data collected on a bridge deck using the new acoustic impact-echo testing device at different speeds ranging from approximately 10 km/h to 55 km/h indicate that the collected data are reasonably repeatable. Use of the new acoustic impact-echo testing device is expected to enable more informed decisions about MR&R of concrete bridge decks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oil and gas industry in the USA has an extensive infrastructure of pipelines, 70% of which were installed prior to 1980, and almost half were installed during the 1950s and 1960s. Ideally the mechanical properties (i.e. yield strength, tensile strength, transition temperature, and fracture toughness) of a steel pipe must be known in order to respond to detected defects in an appropriate manner. Neither current in-ditch methods nor the ILI inspection data have yet determined and map the desired mechanical properties with adequate confidence. In the quest to obtain the mechanical properties of a steel pipe using a nondestructive method, it is important to understand that there are many inter-related variables. This paper reports a literature review and an analysis of a sample set of data. There is promise for correlating the results of NDE measurement modalities to the information required to develop relationships between those measurements and the mechanical measurements desired for pipelines to ensure proper response to defects which are of significant threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural integrity programs of the United States Air Force (USAF) include periodic inspection to detect damage before it grows to a critical size that can impact the safety of USAF systems. Current inspection methods have been used successfully to ensure the required risk metrics for these systems are being met as mandated by the relevant USAF Standards. However, there is a continual desire to improve the capability of inspection methods while increasing the efficiency and reliability of these methods. As new approaches are being explored for the enhancement of damage sensing, a number of foundational issues that represent hurdles for the application of these enhancements have been identified. This paper provides background of how damage sensing is used by the USAF and expands on identified foundational challenges that represent technical barriers to the implementation of new damage sensing methods. As the desired capability of the damage sensing methods expand from detection of damage to the characterization of damage, the degree of complexity grows and additional challenges emerge. Representative case studies are used to illustrate challenges for detection, localization and characterization of damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission established the Program to Assess the Reliability of Emerging Nondestructive Techniques (PARENT) to follow on from the successful Program for the Inspection of Nickel alloy Components. The goals of PARENT are to conduct a confirmatory assessment of the reliability of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques for detecting and sizing primary water stress corrosion cracks and apply the lessons learned from PINC to a series of round-robin tests. These open and blind round-robin tests will comprise a new set of typical pressure boundary components including dissimilar metal welds and bottom-mounted instrumentation penetrations. Open round-robin tests will engage research and industry teams worldwide to investigate and demonstrate the reliability of emerging NDE techniques to detect and size flaws with a wide range of lengths, depths, orientations, and locations. Blind round-robin tests will utilize various testing organizations, whose inspectors and procedures are certified by the standards for the nuclear industry in their respective countries, to investigate the ability of established NDE techniques to detect and size flaws whose characteristics range from relatively easy to very difficult for detection and sizing. Blind and open round-robin testing started in late 2011 and early 2012, respectively. This paper will present the work scope with reports on progress, NDE methods evaluated, and project timeline for PARENT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The US Army is investigating the use of composite materials to deliver lightweight and more effective armor protection systems to soldiers and other army assets. However, widespread use of such hybrid armor will require a reliable but fast NDE methodology to ensure integrity of these components during manufacturing and while in service. Traditional ultrasonic inspection of such hybrid armor structures may prove to be very effective, but point-by-point ultrasonic scanning is inherently time-consuming and manufacturing slowdowns could develop in high-volume production of such armor systems. In this paper, we report on the application of acoustography for the NDE of hybrid armor structures. Acoustography differs from conventional ultrasonic testing in that test objects are inspected in full field, analogously to real time x-ray imaging. The approach uses a novel, super high resolution large area acousto-optic (AO) sensor, which allows image formation through simple ultrasound shadow casting, analogous to x-ray image formation. This NDE approach offers significant inspection speed advantage over conventional point-by-point ultrasonic scanning procedures and is well-suited for high volume production. We will report initial results on a number of hybrid armor plate specimens employing composite materials that are being investigated by the US Army. Acoustography NDE results will also be verified using other complimentary NDE methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early demonstrations of the use of models in the U.S. and U.K. to assist in the determination of NDE reliability and probability of detection (POD), as dictated by the advent of damage tolerant design, will be reviewed. A major motivation in the U.S. was the adoption of POD as the primary metric for effectiveness of an inspection and the empirical observation that field and depot inspections were not adequate so support the desired structural integrity. In parallel, a series of round robin trials in Europe raised issues with the effectiveness of nuclear power plant inspections, and the resulting concerns became an important part of the 'Public Inquiry' in the UK regarding the construction of the Sizewell B power plant. In each country, physics-based models of the inspection process became an important part of the response. This paper describes these early developments in the use of models to assess inspection reliability, contrasts the philosophies and approaches taken, and notes how these provide the origins of NDE simulation activities today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until recently, civil engineering material calibration data could only be obtained from material sample cores or via time consuming, stationary calibration measurements in a limited number of locations. Calibration data are used to determine material propagation velocities of electromagnetic waves in test materials for use in layer thickness measurements and subsurface imaging. Limitations these calibration methods impose have been a significant impediment to broader use of nondestructive evaluation methods such as ground-penetrating radar (GPR). In 2006, a new rapid, continuous calibration approach was designed using simulation software to address these measurement limitations during a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) research and development effort. This continuous calibration method combines a digitally-synthesized step-frequency (SF)-GPR array and a data collection protocol sequence for the common midpoint (CMP) method. Modeling and laboratory test results for various data collection protocols and materials are presented in this paper. The continuous-CMP concept was finally implemented for FHWA in a prototype demonstration system called the Advanced Pavement Evaluation (APE) system in 2009. Data from the continuous-CMP protocol is processed using a semblance/coherency analysis to determine material propagation velocities. Continuously calibrated pavement thicknesses measured with the APE system in 2009 are presented. This method is efficient, accurate, and cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the nineteen-sixties, a significant limitation of NDI and NDE became apparent with the advent of fracture mechanics. Fracture mechanics requires quantitative information on defects, which has to be obtained from quantitative non-destructive testing. A DARPA Program directed by Don Thompson provided the point of departure for the journey to put the Q with NDE. The DARPA Program, and subsequent DOD, FAA and industrial programs produced seminal results for diagnostics and prognostics. In diagnostics, measurement models, probability of detection considerations and techniques of defect characterization were developed, which were complemented by damage evolution laws, probabilistic failure analysis and damage progression estimates, for methods of prognostication. The new results in QNDE naturally led to the concept of structural health monitoring (SHM), whereby sensors are permanently installed on structures. An SHM system can provide on-demand (or continuous) information on the state of a structure, so that an assessment of the structural integrity can be made at any time, and timely remedial actions can be taken. In this paper, we review the development of QNDE towards SHM. Sensor development, data processing, materials engineering and solid mechanics play dominant roles in both the diagnostic and the prognostic components of SHM. A probabilistic approach is essential, as will be shown by examples of pre-crack fatigue damage, crack growth and optimization of an inspection schedule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The operating fleet of U.S. nuclear power plants was built to fossil plant standards (of workmanship, not fitness for service) and with good engineering judgment. Fortuitously, those nuclear power plants were designed using defense-in-depth concepts, with nondestructive examination (NDE) an important layer, so they can tolerate almost any component failure and still continue to operate safely. In the 30+ years of reactor operation, many material failures have occurred. Unfortunately, NDE has not provided the reliability to detect degradation prior to initial failure (breaching the pressure boundary). However, NDE programs have been improved by moving from prescriptive procedures to performance demonstrations that quantify inspection effectiveness for flaw detection probability and sizing accuracy. Other improvements include the use of risk-informed strategies to ensure that reactor components contributing the most risk receive the best and most frequent inspections. Another challenge is the recent surge of interest in building new nuclear power plants in the United States to meet increasing domestic energy demand. New construction will increase the demand for NDE but also offers the opportunity for more proactive inspections. This paper reviews the inception and evolution of NDE for nuclear power plants over the past 40 years, recounts lessons learned, and describes the needs remaining as existing plants continue operation and new construction is contemplated. © 2007 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technology, methods, and examples of high speed time domain terahertz (T-Ray) imaging non-destructive examination (NDE) for 2 and 3 dimensional structural and material content characterization are discussed. T-Ray imaging can be utilized for non-contact transmission and/or monostatic reflection inspection of non-conductive materials such as plastics, foam, composites, ceramics, paper, wood and glass. Example subsurface homeland security images of concealed items in baggage and on personnel are shown. We tabulate attenuation and penetration characteristics through a selection of building materials, and demonstrate the ability of T-ray instrumentation to sub-surface image building structures such as wall framing and interior wiring and conduits. © 2007 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the engineering research and development of a smart aircraft bolt designed for high-tension wing attachment applications on USAF C-130 cargo planes. The bolt is a load-carrying structural component as well as serving as a damage sensor. The bolt material choice is TRIP (Transformation Induced Plasticity) steel; high-strength, metastable austenitic steel that gradually and irreversibly transforms to martensite during deformation. The martensite is ferromagnetic whereas the parent austenite phase is paramagnetic, having no significant ferromagnetic response. The ferromagnetic signature of the bolt can be correlated to the peak deformation strain and further correlated with the peak damage state. Stress-assisted phase transformations occur within the elastic regime while strain-induced transformations occur in the post-yield regime. Both transformation variants produce easily detected signals that can be readily monitored. A review of the nature of TRIP steel materials, their properties and behavior, and the smart bolt design approach is presented with examples of the quantitative output obtained during simulated laboratory testing. A brief discussion of the detection electronics and interrogation system is provided to familiarize the audience with the technical issues encompassing this technology. Preliminary results from field testing and service experience are reviewed. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]