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Advances in the Nondestructive Testing of Construction and Building Materials

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Materials Characterization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2026 | Viewed by 5774

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Libor Topolář

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Veveri 331/95, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
Interests: non-destructive testing; advanced materials; structures and technologies; acoustic emission method; new building materials; sustainability
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the development of composite building materials has significantly improved their properties. Breakthroughs in novel technologies, such as building materials from waste materials, artificial intelligence, low-carbon technologies, and resilient structures, provide new opportunities for the development of civil engineering disciplines and their monitoring. This Special Issue aims to present the latest findings on developing and testing building materials and solutions to problems associated with achieving sustainability in civil engineering.

Non-destructive methods are typically used to characterize defects arising in construction materials during manufacturing or use. This allowed us to predict possible failures and, therefore, early remedial action. Each NDT method has its own detection and characterization potential. Depending on the damage mechanism used or the in situ conditions, one method may be preferred over another, or several methods may be combined to improve the diagnosis of the damage condition of the structure or material under investigation.

It is my pleasure to invite you to submit original manuscripts for this Special Issue, which will focus on gathering knowledge and experience on the latest advances and trends in the above areas. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcomed. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following.

Testing of building materials and elements in building engineering;
Testing of structures made of novel concrete materials (e.g., green concrete, alkali-based concrete, etc.);
Real-time damage detection and imaging;
Novel algorithms for non-destructive testing (NDT) data analysis;
Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for data analysis from NDT measurements;
Health and stability monitoring in building engineering using NDT methods;
Other non-destructive testing methods for composite materials.

We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Libor Topolář
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

non-destructive testing of new or traditional building materials
structural health monitoring
hybrid non-destructive characterization
defect detection and characterization
damage evaluation
artificial intelligence and machine learning

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 28008 KB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Measurement and Analytical Modeling of Terahertz Wave Transmission in Natural Rock Materials Under Drying–Wetting Cycles

by Yinghu Li, Qiangling Yao, Kaixuan Liu, Minkang Han, Qiang Xu and Ze Xia

Materials 2026, 19(10), 2085; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19102085 - 15 May 2026

Viewed by 375

Abstract

The functional performance and structural integrity of natural rock materials under fluctuating environmental stressors are pivotal for their advanced applications. As a non-ionizing and radiation-free technology, terahertz (THz) spectroscopy offers a safe and promising alternative for non-destructive testing (NDT), uniquely capable of being deployed in open and unshielded environments. However, limited penetration depth, exacerbated by both the dense geological matrix and the extreme sensitivity of THz waves to moisture states, has long hindered its widespread application in rock characterization. This study establishes a quantitative Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS) framework to characterize four lithologies under drying–wetting cycles. Exponential signal attenuation across thicknesses was quantified based on the Beer–Lambert law, with attenuation coefficients ranging from 0.15 to 0.74 per millimeter. Planar transmission imaging successfully visualizes lithologic and moisture-dependent heterogeneity: limestone exhibits a dense, homogeneous structure with stable amplitude distribution; sandstone and purple sandstone show parallel statistical trends, reflecting uniform pore networks; and granite demonstrates the most pronounced imaging contrast under varying moisture states, driven by complex grain-boundary scattering. The findings reveal that THz transmission is dictated by the synergistic effects of mineral compositions and pore structures: scattering at grain boundaries and fractures leads to significant energy dissipation, whereas clay-rich lithologies exhibit the highest sensitivity to moisture variations due to water adsorption and interfacial polarization effects. As an exploration of THz technology in the non-destructive evaluation of rock materials, these findings establish an analytical framework for the quantitative assessment of microstructure evolution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Nondestructive Testing of Construction and Building Materials)

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23 pages, 6550 KB

Open AccessArticle

Road Marking Distress Detection and Assessment Based on UAV Imagery

by Yunfan Nie, Wangjie Wu, Jinhuan Shan, Hongxin Peng, Feiyang Guo, Yaohan Liu and Jingjing Xiao

Materials 2026, 19(5), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19050992 - 4 Mar 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 599

Abstract

With the continuous advancement of autonomous driving technology, lane marking-based environment perception has become a critical component of autonomous vehicle systems. However, long-term vehicle loads cause road markings to deteriorate and fade, significantly compromising driving safety. Traditional road marking quality inspection methods are inefficient and struggle to achieve high-performance, convenient detection. To address these challenges, this paper proposes an integrated framework for road marking detection and evaluation using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery. The framework comprises three core modules: lightweight data acquisition, efficient marking extraction, and accurate distress assessment. First, optimized UAV flight parameters enable low-cost, highly flexible, and safe data collection. Second, the YOLOv8-MEB model, combined with instance segmentation screening and local image optimization, achieves lane segmentation precision and recall above 90% with FPS exceeding 60. Furthermore, a standard marking template library is constructed, and a RANSAC-based template matching method with affine transformation is employed to restore intact marking shapes. A contour correction strategy is introduced to mitigate errors induced by construction inaccuracies. The proposed framework supports nine common types of road markings and yields approximately 10% error in distress ratio calculation under non-severe damage conditions, providing a practical technical reference for intelligent road maintenance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Nondestructive Testing of Construction and Building Materials)

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25 pages, 17729 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integration of TLS and HLS Data for Non-Destructive Structural Damage Assessment of Building Structures: A Case Study of a Small Hydropower Plant

by Piotr Kędziorski, Jacek Katzer and Marcin Jagoda

Materials 2025, 18(23), 5352; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18235352 - 27 Nov 2025

Viewed by 525

Abstract

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and handheld laser scanning (HLS) for structural diagnostics. The research was conducted on a Small Hydropower Plant (SHP) in Koszalin, Poland. TLS was used to capture the general geometry of the object, while HLS operating in infrared (IR) and blue light modes enabled high-resolution documentation of local damage. Areas of interest were identified using the Surface Variation parameter, and selected zones were scanned with HLS. Both HLS modes delivered consistent results, with differences not exceeding ±0.37 mm. The IR mode proved particularly useful in constrained spaces, allowing for precise measurements without the use of reference markers. Comparative analyses of cross-sections through a major crack confirmed that both HLS modes produce repeatable results with submillimeter accuracy. Integrating TLS and HLS data resolved blind spots inherent to TLS and produced a complete point cloud preserving both global geometry and local detail. The findings confirm the applicability of this hybrid approach in assessing structural damage and highlight its relevance in civil engineering applications. The proposed workflow is effective for documenting inaccessible or complex geometries while optimizing data volume and acquisition time (R1-C10). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Nondestructive Testing of Construction and Building Materials)

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32 pages, 8299 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Auto Sensor Test as an AE Signal Source in Concrete Specimens

by Magdalena Bacharz, Michał Teodorczyk and Jarosław Szulc

Materials 2025, 18(22), 5084; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18225084 - 8 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 825

Abstract

Numerous artificial sources of acoustic waves have been described in the literature, which are designed to replicate the process by which actual damage occurs in a given material. Knowledge of the velocity with which an acoustic wave propagates is important here, both in order to correctly locate the signal source and to determine the degree of material degradation or the location of damage that has already occurred in the medium. This work presents the results of laboratory tests comparing two sources of artificial waves in terms of determining their parameters: the Hsu–Nielsen source and a sensor with the Auto Sensor Test function. The AST function allows the sensors to send and receive an elastic wave and is used to calibrate the sensor before, during, or after the test. In this study, the impact of the positioning of the sensors on the element being tested, their spacing, and the distance of the wave source from the sensor on selected parameters of the recorded waves are analyzed: velocity, amplitude, energy, rise time, waveform shape, and wavelet maps. This work demonstrates that a sensor with the AST function can be an effective alternative for the Hsu–Nielsen source in diagnostic studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Nondestructive Testing of Construction and Building Materials)

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21 pages, 3176 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Structural Integrity Assessment Through Non-Destructive Evaluation

by Wael Zatar, Felipe Mota Ruiz and Hien Nghiem

Materials 2025, 18(20), 4748; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18204748 - 16 Oct 2025

Viewed by 806

Abstract

This study presents an amplitude-based non-destructive testing (NDT) approach for estimating reinforcement bar diameter in reinforced concrete members using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). The novelty of this work lies in the use of normalized amplitude-diameter-depth (NADD) relationships, which link the reflected electromagnetic wave amplitude to both rebar diameter and cover depth through an exponential attenuation model. Normalization was applied to remove the influence of varying signal energy and antenna coupling, thereby allowing consistent comparison of amplitudes across different depths and improving the reliability of amplitude-depth interpretation. The NADD equation was developed from GPR measurements obtained on a reinforced concrete slab containing bars with diameters ranging from 9.5 mm (#3 bar) to 25.4 mm (#8 bar) and then validated using data from three prestressed concrete box beams recovered from a decommissioned bridge managed by the West Virginia Department of Highways. The normalized amplitude prediction error (E_a) was calculated to quantify model performance. The minimum mean error of approximately 4.7% corresponded to the 12.7 mm (#4 bar), which matched the actual reinforcement used in the beams. The results demonstrate that the proposed normalization-based approach effectively captures the amplitude-depth-diameter relationship, offering a quantitative framework for interpreting GPR data and improving the evaluation of reinforcement characteristics in existing concrete structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Nondestructive Testing of Construction and Building Materials)

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22 pages, 3629 KB

Open AccessArticle

Pulse-Echo Ultrasonic Verification of Silicate Surface Treatments Using an External-Excitation/Single-Receiver Configuration: ROC-Based Differentiation of Concrete Specimens

by Libor Topolář, Lukáš Kalina, David Markusík, Vladislav Cába, Martin Sedlačík, Felix Černý, Szymon Skibicki and Vlastimil Bílek

Materials 2025, 18(16), 3765; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18163765 - 11 Aug 2025

Viewed by 841

Abstract

This study investigates a non-destructive, compact pulse-echo ultrasonic method that combines an external transmitter with a single receiving sensor to identify different surface treatments applied to cementitious materials. The primary objective was to evaluate whether treatment-induced acoustic changes could be reliably quantified using time-domain signal parameters. Three types of surface conditions were examined: untreated reference specimens (R), specimens treated with a standard lithium silicate solution (A), and those treated with an enriched formulation containing hexylene glycol (B) intended to enhance pore sealing via gelation. A broadband piezoelectric receiver collected the backscattered echoes, from which the maximum amplitude, root mean square (RMS) voltage, signal energy, and effective duration were extracted. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to quantify the discriminative power of each parameter. The results showed excellent classification performance between groups involving the B-treatment (AUC ≥ 0.96), whereas the R vs. A comparison yielded moderate separation (AUC ≈ 0.61). Optimal cut-off values were established using the Youden index, with sensitivity and specificity exceeding 96% in the best-performing scenarios. The results demonstrate that a single-receiver, one-sided pulse-echo arrangement coupled with straightforward amplitude metrics provides a rapid, cost-effective, and field-adaptable tool for the quality control of silicate-surface treatments. By translating laboratory ultrasonics into a practical on-site protocol, this study helps close the gap between the experimental characterisation and real-world implementation of surface-treatment verification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Nondestructive Testing of Construction and Building Materials)

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15 pages, 7312 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Strain Rate on the Strain-Induced Martensite Transformation in Austenitic Steel AISI 321 and Barkhausen Noise Emission

by Mária Čilliková, Nikolaj Ganev, Ján Moravec, Anna Mičietová, Miroslav Neslušan and Peter Minárik

Materials 2025, 18(15), 3714; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18153714 - 7 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1051

Abstract

This study investigates the evolution of strain-induced martensite (SIM) and its effect on magnetic Barkhausen noise (MBN) in AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel subjected to uniaxial tensile testing. Using X-ray diffraction and the Barkhausen noise technique, the formation and distribution of SIM were analysed as functions of plastic strain and strain rate. The results show that MBN is primarily governed by plastic deformation and strain rate rather than residual stress. The martensite fraction increases from 10% at low strains to 42.5% at high strains; however, accelerated strain rates significantly reduce martensite formation to approximately 25%. The increase in martensite density enhances the magnetic exchange interactions among neighbouring islands, resulting in stronger and more numerous MBN pulses. The anisotropy of MBN is also influenced by the initial crystallographic texture of the austenite. These findings highlight the strong correlation between MBN and SIM evolution, establishing MBN as a sensitive, non-destructive tool for assessing martensitic transformation and optimising deformation parameters in austenitic steels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Nondestructive Testing of Construction and Building Materials)

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