Course Catalogue.

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• Apply non-destructive evaluation techniques to assess structural integrity for various materials, including steel, concrete, and timber.
• Identify and interpret hidden defects that affect structural performance, such as corrosion, freeze-thaw damage, and wood decay.
• Select the appropriate non-destructive testing method for specific structural issues and environments.
• Plan and perform comprehensive bridge inspections and condition surveys that integrate NDE methods with traditional testing approaches.
• Make data-driven decisions to recommend suitable repair or rehabilitation strategies based on accurate evaluations.

Description
Aging infrastructure, including bridges and concrete structures, poses significant challenges in terms of safety and longevity. Owners and engineers are increasingly tasked with ensuring thorough evaluations to maintain structural integrity and prevent failure. However, many critical defects remain hidden, either beneath surfaces or in areas inaccessible by visual inspection, which complicates the assessment of load-carrying capacity and selecting appropriate rehabilitation measures.

Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques offer a valuable solution to these challenges by allowing for the in-depth inspection of concrete, steel, and timber structures without damaging the integrity of the components. These methods provide insight into corrosion, cracking, and material degradation, enabling more accurate structural health diagnosis. Throughout this course, you will learn to apply NDE methods, interpret the results, and make informed decisions to enhance the safety and performance of aging infrastructure.

You will explore techniques such as acoustic emission, infrared thermography, ground-penetrating radar, and various metallurgical inspection methods. The practical applications of these tools, supported by case studies and real-world examples, will enhance your ability to evaluate, plan, and execute effective testing strategies, ensuring the longevity of critical infrastructure.

Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for engineers, technicians, technologists, and managers responsible for bridge safety, inspection, rehabilitation, and maintenance. Professionals such as structural engineers, civil engineers, and project managers involved in infrastructure evaluation will benefit from the in-depth knowledge of non-destructive testing methods. It is also highly relevant for consultants working in small to medium-sized engineering firms and contractors who aim to expand their expertise in bridge and structural inspection.

Additionally, those in public and private organizations that own or manage aging infrastructure, including municipal and transportation agencies, will find this course valuable for enhancing asset management strategies.

Course Syllabus

Day I

Overview of Damage and Degradation in Concrete Structures and Bridge Structures

• Corrosion of reinforcing steel
• Freeze-thaw cycling
• Alkali-aggregate reactivity
• Sulfate attack
• Shrinkage and creep
• Loads and workmanship
• Common problems in steel bridges
• Common problems in timber bridges

Overview of Non-destructive Evaluation

• Objectives and rationale of nondestructive evaluation
• Visual Inspection
• In-situ strength and surface hardness
• Pull-out and break-off tests
• Resonant frequency methods

Non-Destructive Evaluation of Concrete Structures and Bridges

• Acoustic emission methods
• Infrared thermography
• Ground penetrating radar
• Corrosion evaluation methods

Non-destructive Evaluation of Steel Structures and Bridges

• Metallography and fractography
•  Eddy current
• Magnetic particle and radiological inspection techniques
• Ultrasonic and acoustic emission methods
• Radiography
• Strain gages and instrumentation

Discussion Forum - Q&A

Day II

Non-destructive Evaluation of Timber Structures and Bridges

• Radiation Tomography
• Thermal imaging
• Microwave Imaging
• Ultrasonic Imaging
• Nuclear magnetic resonance
• Evaluation of decay, wood species and preservatives

Non-destructive Evaluation of Bridge Foundations

• Sonic Echo Method
• mpulse response method
• Impedance logging
• Parallel seismic techniques

Planning and Performing NDT Bridge Evaluation

• Defining the scope of the investigation
• Correlation with intrusive testing
• Performing level 3 bridge inspection
• Condition survey of bridges
• Integrity and structural performance

Case Studies of Structures / Bridges Evaluation and Repair

Open Forum: Questions and Answers, Feedback on Achievement of Learning

Concluding Remarks and Final Adjournment