The Application of NonThe Application of Non--Destructive Testing (NDT) in Destructive Testing (NDT) in the the

Construction IndustryConstruction Industry

OrOr

ToysToys

Rusty Boicourt, P.G.Rusty Boicourt, P.G.NDE & Materials SpecialistNDE & Materials Specialist

ToysToys

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

•• GroundGround--Penetrating Radar (GPR)Penetrating Radar (GPR)

•• InfraInfra--Red (IR) Red (IR) ThermographicThermographic InspectionInspection

•• XX--Ray Fluorescence (XRF)Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

•• Ultrasonic Testing (UT)Ultrasonic Testing (UT)

•• Radiographic Imaging (XRadiographic Imaging (X--Ray)Ray)

GroundGround--Penetrating Radar Penetrating Radar (GPR)(GPR)

is useful for:is useful for:

•• Measuring material Measuring material thickness.thickness.

•• Locating & avoiding embedded Locating & avoiding embedded elements.elements.•• Locating & avoiding embedded Locating & avoiding embedded elements.elements.

•• Verifying Verifying construction.construction.

•• Locating buried utilities.Locating buried utilities.

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

Dielectric

Constant

GroundGround--Penetrating Radar Penetrating Radar (GPR)(GPR)

how it works:how it works:

DistanceVelocity

1 23

pipe

Underground Storage TanksUnderground Storage Tanks

Steel Reinforcing in ConcreteSteel Reinforcing in Concrete

UnUn--grouted grouted vsvs Grouted CMUGrouted CMU

rebar

Locating Steel Reinforcing in Locating Steel Reinforcing in Concrete Roof DeckConcrete Roof Deck

Intentionally Coring Directly Over Intentionally Coring Directly Over Steel ReinforcingSteel Reinforcing

Thermographic ImagingThermographic Imagingis useful for:is useful for:

•• Detecting moisture in Detecting moisture in materials.materials.

•• Locating areas of heat Locating areas of heat loss/gain.loss/gain.•• Locating areas of heat Locating areas of heat loss/gain.loss/gain.

•• Identifying electrical Identifying electrical problems.problems.

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

XX--Ray Fluorescence (XRF)Ray Fluorescence (XRF)is useful for:is useful for:

•• Detecting Detecting lead in lead in paint.paint.

•• Field assay for precious metals in Field assay for precious metals in ore.ore.

•• Identify metallic Identify metallic alloy constituents.alloy constituents.

•• Identify regulated metals concentration in Identify regulated metals concentration in soil.soil.

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

XX--Ray Fluorescence (XRF)Ray Fluorescence (XRF)how it works:how it works:

•• The XRF unit contains an XThe XRF unit contains an X--Ray Tube (rather than Ray Tube (rather than a radioactive source material).a radioactive source material).

•• Emits Emits XX--Rays (high energy photons) into the Rays (high energy photons) into the material to be tested.material to be tested.material to be tested.material to be tested.

•• XX--Rays Rays ionize the electrons in the ionize the electrons in the K, L, and M K, L, and M shells shells of of metallic atoms metallic atoms in the material.in the material.

•• Electrons from higher shells drop into the vacant Electrons from higher shells drop into the vacant lower shell to fill the gap.lower shell to fill the gap.

XX--Ray Fluorescence (XRF)Ray Fluorescence (XRF)how it works:how it works:

•• When an electron from a higher shell drops to a When an electron from a higher shell drops to a lower shell it emits a photon.lower shell it emits a photon.

•• This photon has a specific energy and wavelength This photon has a specific energy and wavelength •• This photon has a specific energy and wavelength This photon has a specific energy and wavelength (e.g. Iron = 6.4 (e.g. Iron = 6.4 keVkeV).).

•• A detector in the XRF measures the energy of the A detector in the XRF measures the energy of the photon and identifies the element.photon and identifies the element.

•• The quantity of photons emitted per The quantity of photons emitted per unitunit--time time is is proportional to the concentration of that element.proportional to the concentration of that element.

Ultrasonic Testing (UT)Ultrasonic Testing (UT)is useful for:is useful for:

•• Detecting voids in metals and welds.Detecting voids in metals and welds.

•• Detecting planar defects and delamination.Detecting planar defects and delamination.

•• Measuring the wall thickness of metals.Measuring the wall thickness of metals.

Ultrasonic Testing (UT)Ultrasonic Testing (UT)how it works:how it works:

•• Ultrasonic waves Ultrasonic waves reflect off defects and reflect off defects and delamination in the delamination in the material.material.material.material.

•• Producing a Producing a secondary reflection.secondary reflection.

Radiographic Imaging (XRadiographic Imaging (X--Ray)Ray)is is useful for:useful for:

•• Imaging embedded metallic objects in concrete.Imaging embedded metallic objects in concrete.

•• Imaging flaws in metallic components.Imaging flaws in metallic components.

•• Imaging defects in welds.Imaging defects in welds.

•• Often required by ASME standards for pressure Often required by ASME standards for pressure vessels and piping.vessels and piping.

•• Used heavily in aircraft construction.Used heavily in aircraft construction.

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

Radiographic ImagingRadiographic Imaginghow it works:how it works:

•• Contains a radioactive source: IrContains a radioactive source: Ir--192 or Co192 or Co--6060

•• Wavelengths typically <10 nanometers.Wavelengths typically <10 nanometers.

•• Produces image of differing densities depending Produces image of differing densities depending •• Produces image of differing densities depending Produces image of differing densities depending on photons reaching film.on photons reaching film.

•• Reveals defects, voids, ~orthogonal cracks, Reveals defects, voids, ~orthogonal cracks, thinning.thinning.

Radiographic ImagingRadiographic Imaginglimitations:limitations:

•• Cannot image planar defects and delamination.Cannot image planar defects and delamination.

•• Inherent safety risks.Inherent safety risks.

•• Highly regulated by NRC.Highly regulated by NRC.

•• Not preferred for hospitals, airports or occupied Not preferred for hospitals, airports or occupied areas.areas.

•• Takes time to expose and develop film.Takes time to expose and develop film.

Radiographic ImagingRadiographic Imagingalternatives:alternatives:

•• GPR is safer and faster for concrete evaluation.GPR is safer and faster for concrete evaluation.

•• Neutron Neutron RRadiography (NR) can be used instead of adiography (NR) can be used instead of XX--Ray.Ray.XX--Ray.Ray.

•• Neutrons easily penetrate steel and lead, but are Neutrons easily penetrate steel and lead, but are reflected by water, oil, and plastics.reflected by water, oil, and plastics.

Thank youThank you

Questions?Questions?