Search Results (30)

Non-destructive testing (NDT) and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) are essential tools for ensuring the structural integrity, safety, and reliability of critical systems across the aerospace, civil infrastructure, energy, and advanced manufacturing sectors. As engineered materials evolve into increasingly complex architectures such as fiber-reinforced polymers, fiber–metal laminates, sandwich composites, and functionally graded materials, traditional NDT techniques face growing limitations in sensitivity, adaptability, and diagnostic reliability. This comprehensive review presents a multi-dimensional classification of NDT/NDE methods, structured by physical principles, functional objectives, and application domains. Special attention is given to hybrid and multi-material systems, which exhibit anisotropic behavior, interfacial complexity, and heterogeneous defect mechanisms that challenge conventional inspection. Alongside established techniques like ultrasonic testing, radiography, infrared thermography, and acoustic emission, the review explores emerging modalities such as capacitive sensing, electromechanical impedance, and AI-enhanced platforms that are driving the future of intelligent diagnostics. By synthesizing insights from the recent literature, the paper evaluates comparative performance metrics (e.g., sensitivity, resolution, adaptability); highlights integration strategies for embedded monitoring and multimodal sensing systems; and addresses challenges related to environmental sensitivity, data interpretation, and standardization. The transformative role of NDE 4.0 in enabling automated, real-time, and predictive structural assessment is also discussed. This review serves as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners developing next-generation NDT/NDE solutions for hybrid and high-performance structures. Full article

This paper focuses on a midstream pipeline to help us develop a better understanding of Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) operation. A methodological combination of non-destructive testing (NDT), non-destructive evaluation (NDE), and risk-based inspection (RBI) was applied within an engineering system compatible with industry standards. In this sense, the implementation of the protocol and an assessment of the effectiveness of the proposed research model for solving problems that occur during a PIG’s working life, such as damage mechanisms and methods for its repair, are presented. The RBI methodology is derived using two mutually validating approaches to provide a result with low uncertainty. The result of this research confirms the expediency of the multi-perspective research approach and demonstrates the applicability of this methodology through a model study in the area of protocol creation—an essential aspect of ensuring the safety of pipeline inspections. Full article

In contrast to conventional non-destructive testing (NDT) and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methodologies, including radiography, ultrasound, and eddy current analysis, coplanar capacitive sensing technique emerges as a novel and promising avenue within the field. This paper endeavors to elucidate the efficacy of coplanar capacitive sensing, also referred to as capacitive imaging (CI), within the realm of NDT. Leveraging extant scholarly discourse, this review offers a comprehensive and methodical examination of the coplanar capacitive technique, encompassing its fundamental principles, factors influencing sensor efficacy, and diverse applications for defect identification across various NDT domains. Furthermore, this review deliberates on extant challenges and anticipates future trajectories for the technique. The manifold advantages inherent to coplanar capacitive sensing vis-à-vis traditional NDT methodologies not only afford its versatility in application but also underscore its potential for pioneering advancements in forthcoming applications. Full article

This paper aims to present multisensory spatial analysis (MSA). The method was designed for the quick, simultaneous identification of concrete cover thickness h, rebar diameter, and alloys of reinforcement in large areas of reinforced concrete (RC) structures, which is a complex and unsolved issue. The main idea is to divide one complex problem into three simple-to-solve and based on separate premises tasks. In the transducers designed with the MSA, sensors are arranged spatially. This arrangement identifies each RC parameter separately based on the different waveforms/attributes. The method consists of three steps. All steps are described in the paper and supported by simulations and statistical analysis of the measurement. The tests were carried out using an Anisotropic Magneto-resistance (AMR) sensor. The AMR sensors can measure strong DC magnetic fields and can be combined in spatial transducers because of their small size. The selection of the sensor was extensively justified in the introduction section. The spatial transducer and the identification’s simplicity can allow for high accuracy in the real-time area testing of all three parameters. The risk of misclassification of discrete parameters was strongly reduced, and the h parameter can be identified with millimeter accuracy. Full article

This work presents how significantly the proper selection of the magnetization method can improve almost all parameters of the magnetic method and affect the effectiveness of the evaluation of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Three magnetization methods are considered in this paper: opposite pole magnetization (typical solution), same pole magnetization, and (as a reference point) no magnetization. The experiments are carried out in a three-dimensional (XYZ) space. Measurements along each of the axes are discussed in a separate section. The results show that the appropriate selection of the magnetization method can affect noise reduction, signal strength, and the separation of measurements carried out on different samples. This paper also discusses the situations when the magnetization may change the shape, cause deformations of waveforms, affect the area testing, and be used to significantly increase the efficiency of simultaneous evaluation of three basic parameters of RC structure. Experiments and simulations have proven that properly applied magnetization may strongly affect the evaluation’s effectiveness, making the magnetic method one of the most promising techniques in testing RC constructions. Full article

This paper presents the development of the lock-in thermography system with an additional cooling system. System feasibility is tested by investigating a square-shaped glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) with artificially made outer flaws. The influence of heating mode and sinusoidal excitation period on the defect detectability is considered. Thus, the experiment is split into two modes: the sample is solely heated in the first mode or simultaneously heated and cooled in the second. In each mode, the temperature measurement is performed first with a shorter excitation signal period and second with a longer one. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is used to assess defect detection quantitatively. The comparative analysis shows that employing a mixed heating–cooling mode improves the SNR compared to the conventional heating mode. The further enhancement of the SNR is obtained by extending the excitation period. The combination of simultaneous heating and cooling with longer periods of the excitation signal allows for the best SNR values for the most detected defects. Full article

The magnetic method is one of the very few nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques that provide the possibility to conduct area tests of reinforced concrete (RC) structures in a fast, cheap, and straightforward way. This paper aims to present a new approach to the simultaneous identification of rebars’ diameter, alloy class, and thickness of the concrete cover tested with this method. Since rebars from different manufacturers may have different electromagnetic properties (standardization only for mechanical properties), preparing an effective and universal database is impossible. In this work, ACO decomposition is proposed, a new attributes extraction method designed to identify object parameters, even if it is impossible to collect a suitable training database (by pattern recognition and analysis of the deviation). Conducted tests prove that the ACO method enables accurate reflection of the waveform shape and limitation of attributes number to three or fewer (avoiding the curse of dimensionality). These properties, combined with the ability to analyze spatial components of magnetic induction (which only magnetic sensors provide), make the complex task of identification of three parameters more straightforward and the separation between the results received for different classes larger. This article presents the measurement results and the whole identification process. Full article

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is widely used for above-ground storage tanks (ASTs). However, there are currently no guidelines for the non-destructive testing (NDT) and evaluation (NDE) of HDPE ASTs. Moreover, the feasibility, limitations, and challenges of using NDT techniques for the field inspection of HDPE ASTs have not been well established. This study used both infrared thermography (IRT) and ultrasonic testing (UT) for the field inspection of HDPE ASTs. Highlighting the implementation challenges in the field, this study determined that: (1) ambient environmental parameters can affect IRT accuracy; (2) there is an ideal time during the day to perform IRT; (3) the heating source and infrared camera orientation can affect IRT accuracy; and (4) with proper measures taken, IRT is a promising method for flaw detection in HDPE ASTs. Additionally, UT can be used following IRT for detailed investigation to quantify the size and depth of defects. The manuscript concludes with a discussion of the limitations and best practices for the implementing of IRT and UT for HDPE AST inspections in the field. Full article

This paper presents the results of experiments using the eddy current system designated for nondestructive inspection of carbon fiber-reinforced composites. For this purpose, the eddy current testing system with a differential transducer with two pairs of excitation coils oriented perpendicularly and a central pick-up coil was utilized. The transducer measures the magnetic flux difference flowing through the pick-up coil. The transducer of this design has already been successfully utilized to inspect isotropic metal structures. However, the anisotropy of the composites and their lower conductivity compared to metal components made the transducer parameters adjustment essential. Thus, various excitation frequencies were considered and investigated. The system was evaluated using a sample made of orthogonally woven carbon fiber-reinforced composites with two artificial flaws (the notches with a maximum relative depth of 30% and 70%, respectively, thickness of 0.4 mm, and a length of 5 mm). The main goal was to find a configuration suitable for detecting hidden flaws in such materials. Full article

Condition assessment of civil engineering structures has been an active research area due to growing concerns over the safety of aged as well as new civil structures. Utilization of emerging immersive visualization technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has demonstrated that these visualization tools can be paradigm-shifting. Extended Reality (XR), an umbrella term for VR, AR, and MR technologies, has found many diverse use cases in the AEC industry. Despite this exciting trend, there is no review study on the usage of XR technologies for the condition assessment of civil structures. Thus, the present paper aims to fill this gap by presenting a literature review encompassing the utilization of XR technologies for the condition assessment of civil structures. This study aims to provide essential information and guidelines for practitioners and researchers on using XR technologies to maintain the integrity and safety of civil structures. Full article

This paper presents a review on combining NDT techniques, such as rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity, for assessing concrete compressive strength. These methods, though being favorably not invasive and easy to be extended to a larger number of elements, are affected by many contingency factors. The SonReb technique suggests combining the two methods to partially offset their low reliability if considered separately. For years, this concept was introduced in order to improve the evaluation compared with the use of one NDT. In order to combine the ultrasonic pulse velocity and rebound hammer, many empirical, multiparametric models were proposed in the literature as linear, power, exponential, or polynomial. However, the variety of these models emphasizes that they can give a correct strength prediction only for the particular cases that they are derived for. Therefore, to assess concrete on site, the strength should be predicted using a calibration procedure due to the variability of existing concrete mixes. This paper presents a brief outline of the key aspects of strength assessment, including the different approaches used to build the SonReb model and a calibration procedure for assessing concrete strength. A comparison study between the different approaches is proposed, and a performance analysis using Monte Carlo simulations is discussed. Finally, the estimation capacity of the existing model identification approaches is investigated, and the effect of the “trade-off” is analyzed for different random sampling with varying the number of cores. Full article

This paper aims to explore the qualification of step- and lock-in heating thermography as techniques capable of inspecting new composite rail carbodies following input and inspection requirements set by the rail manufacturing industry. Specifically, we studied (a) a monolithic CFRP sample (20 mm thickness) and (b) a CFRP–PET foam–CFRP sandwich (40 mm total thickness) component, that were manufactured with artificial defects, to replicate the side wall sections of a carbody. The samples proved to be very challenging to test using only one-sided inspection due to (1) exhibiting significant thickness compared to existing literature, (2) low surface emissivity and (3) that the foam core of the sandwich sample was a thermal insulating material. In addition, the sandwich sample was designed with defects on both skins. Both thermography techniques provided similar defect detection results, although step heating offered faster detection. In the case of the monolithic panel, defects up to 10 mm depth were detected, with minor detection of defects at 15 mm depth with a step-heating protocol between 90 s and 120 s overall acquisition, which was faster than the 140 s used with the lock-in technique. For the sandwich component only the front skin defects were detected, with both techniques using heating protocols between 70–120 s. Full article

The growing need for hydrogen indicates that there is likely to be a demand for transporting hydrogen. Hydrogen pipelines are an economical option, but the issue of hydrogen damage to pipeline steels needs to be studied and investigated. So far, limited research has been dedicated to determining how the choice of inspection method for pipeline integrity management changes depending on the presence of a coating. Thus, this review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of inspection methods specifically for detecting the defects formed uniquely in coated hydrogen pipelines. The discussion will begin with a background of hydrogen pipelines and the common defects seen in these pipelines. This will also include topics such as blended hydrogen-natural gas pipelines. After which, the focus will shift to pipeline integrity management methods and the effectiveness of current inspection methods in the context of standards such as ASME B31.12 and BS 7910. The discussion will conclude with a summary of newly available inspection methods and future research directions. Full article

The field of non-destructive testing using thermography (NDT—Non-Destructive Testing and NDE—Non Destructive Evaluation) was established in the 1960s as a competitive and complementary method to ultrasonic or X-ray testing. Non-destructive quality control of objects is essential in modern industry, especially in mass production. It is an integral part of the quality control process. The reason for the introduction of non-destructive testing into diagnostic techniques were disasters and failures of various equipment and structures. Over the years, a division has been drawn between passive and active thermography. The aim of this publication is to present the theoretical basis of non-destructive testing with the use of active infrared thermography methods. It describes selected models of transient heat flow (thermal wave) in objects of various shapes and physical properties. They are the basis for understanding the changes in the surface temperature of the studied objects in time, which are the response to thermal excitation of different nature. An example of their effective application in engineering practice is the author’s software, in which the recorded time response is matched to the analytical solution, and on this basis detected anomalies are parameterized, detected by the fusion of various techniques of thermal image processing and analysis methods. Full article