There are a wide variety of testing methods that are commonly used within the field of non-destructive testing (NDT) including but not limited to ultrasonic testing, eddy-current testing, dye penetrant testing, and magnetic particle testing. There are many logistical and staging requirements for non-destructive testing projects that are related to physical access to the structure and safety concerns during the inspection. NDT project safety concerns include working at height

Non-destructive testing training courses are often rigorous and time intensive commitments. These courses often follow NDT topical, duration, and examination guidelines published by a multitude of acclaimed organizations within the industry. Among them include the American Society for Non-destructive Testing (ASNT), American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and International Standard Organization (ISO). A substantial market shift occurred in the late 1990s as personal

Welded steel bridges consist of many fracture critical members (FCMs) that are require periodic non-destructive testing (NDT) for fatigue crack detection. Fatigue cracks develop for several reasons including [1]: - Welded details that are susceptible to fatigue cracks - distortion-induced fatigue cracking - Many bridges are over 90 years old - Corrosion fatigue cracks, and - Increases in the number of heavy vehicles leading and d allowable leading to significant accumulation

Introduction Non-destructive testing (NDT) of welds with phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) and more recently the total focusing method / full matrix capture (TFM/FMC) are two excellent techniques to detect, locate and size weld defects. Compared to ultrasonic weld testing, PAUT provides more efficient volumetric testing, increases weld defect probability of detection (POD), and should improve flaw sizing given the same NDT inspector skill level. The Total Focusing Method

TechKnowServ Corporation (TKS) is strategically located to serve New York, New Jersey, Ohio Pennsylvania, and West Virginia owners and operators of aboveground storage tanks (AST) used to store chemical bulk and petroleum bulk products. In addition to our strategic location, we are proficient in the different jurisdictional requirements for each state. This article outlines some of the aboveground storage tank testing guidelines for each state and provides links to the import

Introduction to Phased Array Testing of Composites Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) of aerospace composites during the fabrication stage is an important quality control step to assure that composite structures do not contain delaminations, fiber Phased Array Inspection of Aerospace Compositesdefects, interlayer bonding issues, voids and ply cracking. Phased array testing of composites is comparably more challenging that testing metals due to the material anisotropy, hig

Introduction Acoustic emission testing (AET) is a well-established non-destructive testing (NDT) technology commonly used to detect fatigue cracks in steel and composite pressure vessels, above ground atmospheric storage tanks, and steel and concrete bridges. Acoustic emission testing is characterized as a passive NDT technique since it does not insert some type of energy into the structure to interrogate for material anomalies. The structure must be stressed to a level tha

Streetlights, traffic signal lighting, traffic signage, and support beams are often installed and secured using steel anchor bolts embedded in steel rebar reinforced concrete. Depending on the age of the system, the condition of construction grade bolts and the footer may affect the load bearing capacity of the system. In some cases, damage may be incurred, and a fitness-for-service assessment is required. In many instances the design and fabrication specifications are unavai

Non-Destructive Testing: Magnetic Particle Testing (MT, MPI) Magnetic particle testing (MT) is a fast, simple, and cost effect non-destructive testing technique that is capable of finding discontinuities in ferromagnetic metals. Compared to other non-destructive testing techniques, magnetic particle testing is the most reliable at finding surface and near surface discontinuities. Magnetic particle testing can detect inherent discontinuities such as ingot pipe, cold shuts, and

Guided wave ultrasonic testing (GWUT) or long-range ultrasonic testing (LRUT) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) method that uses torsional, longitudinal, or flexural ultrasonic waves to detect percent cross-sectional area (%CSA) loss in process, petrochemical, transmission, and other industry piping systems. Depending on the pipe condition the sensitivity can be as low as 1% CSA loss but a more reasonable number is 5% given the wide range of inspection variables which includ

Acoustic Emission (AE) testing is an advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) technique that measures stress wave, or ultrasonic waves, that are generated by active flaws. AE testing is a passive technique that analyzes the stress waves emitted by structural defects activated during loading. Some common examples of AE in materials include fatigue crack growth in steel pressure vessels and fiber breaks in composite materials. The sudden release of energy caused by these phenomen

Introduction Total Focusing Method (TFM) / Full Matrix Capture (FMC) technology show potential to improve weld flaw sizing performance compared to phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT). TFM is an imaging algorithm that operates on data acquired using FMC data acquisition. TFM/FMC refers to both the data acquisition and processing method used for advanced ultrasonic testing applications. TFM/FMC is a variation of Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT and may improve flaw sizi

Introduction Acoustic emission testing is often associated with the detection of metal or composite flaws that are active, or grow, while stressed. In steel for example, fatigue crack growth will emit acoustic emission in the 100 to 500 kHz range. Similarly, acoustic emission bursts are detected in composite material from fiber breaks, matrix cracking and other failure mechanisms. The acoustic emission emitted from fatigue cracks in steel and fiber breaks in composites are di

Introduction Aboveground storage tanks dedicated to water storage are used most often for fire protection and potable water. Water tanks for fire protection are used in numerous applications including fire sprinkler systems supply, water source for firefighting, to create a fire perimeter, and as a source of water at fire departments to fill up trucks. Potable water storage tanks have many applications in commercial and residential circumstances. Water tank inspections are ge

Acoustic emission testing is a proven advanced non-destructive testing method for to assess the condition of steel pressure vessels,...

Acoustic emission (AE) technology has been applied to steel pressure vessels, including U.S. DOT and ASME high pressure cylinders, for...

Thomas R. Hay, Ph.D., P.E, ASNT Level #107162 TECHKNOWSERV CORP. 498 Meckley Rd. State College, PA 16801 814-237-0144 June 30, 2020...

Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) ultrasonic testing and full matrix capture (FMC) / total...

Description of Welded Joints and Inspection Process Non-destructive testing (NDT) inspector performance demonstration qualification (PDQ)...

Advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques like alternating current field measurement (ACFM) and phased array ultrasonic testing...