Engineering Management Institute

Non-Destructive Testing

The Intersection of the Built-World and Digital Technologies

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This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.

digital inspection and non-destructive testing

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Civil engineers are designers and builders of many things in the built environment, including roads, bridges, dams, and ports.

No matter the asset, maintenance is required. However, the way that maintenance plans are put together and communicated to owners is changing.

Today, I would like to summarize some of our top episodes from the AECTECH podcast, all of which relate to the use of digital tools for maintaining the built world.

If you find these brief summaries interesting, check out the full-length episodes!

1. AECTECH 007: How Digital Transformation Can Help to Protect Our Built World

In this episode, I talk to Marcel Poser, the CEO and co-founder of Screening Eagle Technologies, about the importance of protecting our built world and the role that data and digital transformation play in that process.

Here are some key points discussed in this episode about how digital transformation can help to protect our built world:
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AECT 018: Exploring the Cutting-Edge World of Digital Inspection and Non-Destructive Testing

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Digital InspectionIn this episode, we dive into digital inspection and non-destructive testing (NDT) with Hamed Layssi, PEng, Ph.D., the co-founder of FPrimeC Solutions Inc. We explore digital inspection applications, innovative NDT methods for evaluating concrete structures, and NDT’s role in new construction projects.

***You can view the video version of this episode here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Digital Inspection

Digital Inspection

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Hamed:

  • How has digital inspection revolutionized the field of non-destructive testing (NDT), and what notable advancements have been made in recent years?
  • How has the market changed in terms of available products and industry advancements since early 2002?
  • Can you provide an overview of innovative non-destructive testing (NDT) methods and concrete inspection techniques, and how they work?
  • Can you explain the difference between non-destructive testing (NDT) and traditional inspection, including both digital and non-digital approaches?
  • Are there cases in structure inspection where the involvement of a licensed engineer is essential, while other tasks can be performed by skilled technicians who do not require licensing, similar to the distinction between medical technicians and doctors?
  • Can you provide insights on the applications of non-destructive testing (NDT) in new construction and how it is utilized in that context?
  • Are there core principles of NDT that can be universally applied regardless of whether it’s for new construction or inspection of existing assets?
  • Is the key to the successful implementation of NDT more reliant on the engineer’s use and interpretation of the technology rather than the technology itself?
  • How can the presentation of NDT data be improved to enhance understanding for laypeople and asset owners?
  • What upcoming developments or advancements in the NDT field are you particularly enthusiastic about within the next three to five years?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Digital Inspection and Non-Destructive Testing:

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Non-Destructive Testing Technologies for Pavements II

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This is a guest blog by Emil G. Bautista

In my previous article on non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies for pavements, I highlighted the importance of such technologies during and after the construction of highways. Engineers and technicians are relying more on non-destructive test (NDT) methods to evaluate the characteristics, quality, and performance of the materials used in constructing the different layers of the pavement system because it is a highly valuable technique that can save both money and time in pavement material and layers evaluation, troubleshooting, and research. Decisions related to pavement quality control and assurance are traditionally based on destructive sampling methods of limited coverage, such as coring, that represent significantly less than 1% of the in-service pavement.

Because NDT does not permanently alter the area being inspected, conducting the test is non-destructive in nature. This helps reduce any cost and time increase needed to evaluate in-situ materials due to an alteration of the materials or pavement layers tested, and, therefore, no correction of the possible damage caused is necessary to maintain the integrity of the designed pavement.

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Non-Destructive Testing Technologies for Pavements

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This is a guest blog by Emil G. Bautista

During and after the construction of highways, engineers and technicians rely on test method technologies to evaluate the characteristics, quality, and performance of the materials used in constructing the different layers of the pavement system. Some of these test methods need to collect cores or conduct material sampling that is destructive in nature, which means that the materials or layers tested are altered and, therefore, a correction of the possible damage caused is necessary to maintain the integrity of the design pavement. This correction can potentially translate into a cost and time increase when evaluating the materials and layers of pavement.

Nondestructive (NDT) testing methodologies have been developed with the help of technological advances in recent decades. This allows for the use of sensors to collect information on the properties of materials or pavement layers without causing damage. One of these technologies for pavement structure being used for project and research applications is the Road Doctor Survey Van (RDSV). The RDSV is an advanced, non-destructive road survey technology that is currently being evaluated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Office of Material and Road Research (OMRR). This advanced, non-destructive road survey system collects continuous surface and subsurface measurements by integrating state-of-the-art hardware and advanced software to process, synchronize, and visualize the large and complex data that it collects.

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