Electrical-Based Non-Destructive Testing and Sensing

Given that concrete elements are used in critical elements of infrastructure, determining the extent of degradation plays a critical role in managing the long-term performance of the concrete and identifying when to repair or replace it.

In this course, students will learn about electrical-based NDT methods and emerging infrastructure sensing technologies. Topics covered include commonly used NDT methods for steel and concrete structures and advanced infrastructure sensing techniques, such as eddy currents, wireless sensing, fiber optics, and embedded sensor networks.

The course also includes case studies so students can apply the knowledge to field inspection or monitoring of materials and structures.

Week 1:

• Visual Inspections
• Dye Penetration
• Thermography Testing

Week 2:

• Fundamentals of Eddy Current Testing
• Equipment of the Eddy Current
• Impedance Plots of Eddy Current
• Factors That Could Affect Eddy Current Testing
• Applications of Eddy Current Testing

Week 3:

• Fundamentals of Radiographic Testing
• Physics of Radiography Inspection
• Image Formation of Radiography
• Radiographic Inspection Applications

Week 4:

• Introduction to Magnetic Particle Inspection
• Magnetic Field Generation
• Testing Particles
• Demagnetization

Week 5:

• Basic Principles of GPR Testing
• GPR Wave Nature
• Testing Setup and Method of GPR
• GPR Data Processing Method
• GPR Method Applications