Implementation of artificial intelligence methods in NDT: expert system approach

Abstract: P328 HYPERURICAEMIA AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK IN INDIVIDUALS IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

Implementation of artificial intelligence methods in NDT: expert system approach

This paper reviews the most common non-destructive testing (NDT) methods of concrete structures as utilized by the structural engineering industry. The fundamentals of NDT methods are explored in regards to their potential, limitations, inspection techniques and interpretations. The factors that influence the success of NDT methods are discussed and ways to mediate their influence are recommended. Reference is made to standard guidelines for the application and interpretation of the discussed NDT methods. NDT of concrete was found to be gaining increasing acceptance as a means of evaluating the strength, uniformity, durability and other properties of existing concrete structures. Perceptions of NDT inadequacy were attributable to lack of understanding construction materials and NDT methods themselves. The intent of this paper is to address these concerns by identifying and describing the most common successful methods of NDT as applied to concrete structures.

A brief overview of the events of the IX International Industrial Forum “NDT Territory. Non-destructive testing. Tests. Diagnostics” Within the framework of the forum, round tables were held on topical problems of non-destructive testing and technical diagnostics, a youth scientific and technical conference, the All-Russian competition of final qualification works “New Generation – 2022”, the final of the All-Russian competition on non-destructive testing “Defectoscopist 2022” and a National Prize in the field non-destructive testing and technical diagnostics. At the exhibition of instruments and equipment, modern means of NDT and TD were presented. The review briefly discusses the main achievements of companies in the field of creation and application of technical means intended for testing, measuring and non-destructive testing of modern structures and materials for various purposes. These are means of vibration diagnostics and non-destructive testing based on the use of various physical methods for the interaction of radiation and fields with the substance and the object of control. Brief information about the companies involved in solving these problems is given.

This paper explores the principles of technical diagnostics aimed at detecting defects in the base metal of load-bearing structures through non-destructive testing. It is shown that under static loading conditions, there is degradation of the metal's resistance to brittle fracture in load-bearing structures with detected localized defects. Examples are provided of base metal failure during operation due to fatigue accumulation. Technical diagnostics is a crucial factor to maintain its operational condition, serving as a preventive measure to avoid failures of rolling stock, particularly related to the destruction of load-bearing structures. This can be achieved through a range of activities aimed at detecting various types of nonconformities, including defects in load-bearing structures (such as cracks, fractures, corrosion damage, etc.). The detection and timely elimination of the identified non-conformities are key to the safe and uninterrupted operation of special self-propelled rolling stock. Scientific research in the field of technical diagnostics will facilitate the development of more effective methods and tools for detecting, assessing and predicting defect progression, thereby improving reliability and extending the service life of this type of equipment. One of the major challenges faced by Ukrainian Railways is the presence of defects in the supporting structures of special self-propelled rolling stock. The resolution of this issue lies in the implementation of technical diagnostics using non-destructive testing methods. One of the main methods of non-destructive testing used in technical diagnostics is the magnetic powder method of testing. The magnetic powder method of non-destructive testing is based on the phenomenon of attraction of magnetic powder particles by magnetic scattering fluxes that arise over defects in magnetized test objects

Review of NDT methods in the assessment of concrete and masonry structures

Bridge deck condition assessments in Indiana are primarily reliant on visual inspection. The condition of bridge decks, however, is highly dependent on deterioration under the surface, which includes the corrosion of steel reinforcement and concrete delamination. The implementation of reliable nondestructive testing (NDT) methods can provide information about such internal deterioration, but considering the multiple NDT methods currently available, guidance is needed to find the best approach for assessing bridge decks in the state’s bridge inventory. A research program was conducted to examine various NDT methods with the objective of recommending an effective NDT strategy for network-level and project-level bridge inspections in Indiana that will complement information from traditional bridge inspections and provide asset engineers with improved information for long-term programming decisions. For the study, several consultants used various NDT methods to inspect a set of bridge decks that represented a range of desired test variables. Based on the test results, it was determined that aerial infrared thermography (IRT) is a good network-level method that is capable of scanning a large number of bridges and providing an initial assessment of bridge deck conditions. If significant delamination activity is detected, then follow-up network-level scanning limited to the problematic bridge decks should be performed using vehicle-mounted IRT. For project-level scanning of individual bridge decks, impact echo was found to be reliable and repeatable. For bridges with high-traffic volume for which project-level scanning is needed, a pole-mounted IRT system was found to be effective for evaluating the deck condition.

Aim of study: Analyze the behavior and predictive capacity of different non-destructive testing (NDT) methods—ultrasound, longitudinal and transverse vibrations, and static bending— for estimating the MOEGTO in two species of great forestry interest in Europe: Pinus sylvestris and Populus × euramericana. Additionally, this study focuses on developing global prediction models for MOEGTO using the NDT modulus of elasticity from both species, and on improving the reliability of prediction through the cross-validation process. Area of study: Provenance Region 8 (Northern Iberian System, Spain) and Ribera del Carrión (Palencia, Spain). Material and methods: A total 75 sawn lumber samples (45 of Pinus sylvestris and 30 of Populus x euramericana) with dimensions of 60 × 40 × 1200 mm were analyzed using ultrasonic testing, longitudinal and transverse vibration methods, and both destructive and non-destructive static bending tests performed with a universal testing machine. Regression models were developed to predict the static modulus of elasticity (MOEGTO). Main results: The prediction model using the NDT method of longitudinal vibrations with Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) software for Pinus sylvestris showed the highest coefficient of determination with R2= 0.56, while for Populus × euramericana, the ultrasound method with the Sylvatest 4 device yielded R2= 0.67. For both species, the best-fit global prediction model was obtained with the ultrasound method using the Sylvatest Trio device, achieving R2= 0.60. Additionally, the application of cross-validation improved the predictive performance of the global models, particularly for the three ultrasound methods and the longitudinal vibration method, all of which attained R2 values above 0.6. Research highlights: This study confirms the reliability of ultrasound and longitudinal vibration techniques for estimating MOEGTO and contributes new insights by comparing multiple NDT methods across two species and developing robust cross-validated global prediction models.

This paper presents the findings from a research study that evaluated nondestructive test (NDT) methods that may be useful for quality assurance purposes during construction of soil nail retaining walls. More specifically, the new NDT procedure will be used to evaluate the integrity of the grout column surrounding the steel tendon and to measure the grouted length of the installed soil nail. A preliminary evaluation of the existing NDT methodologies was undertaken to identify candidate NDT methods. The selected NDT methods, sonic echo and impact echo, were subjected to a detailed evaluation through three series of full-scale field NDT testing. The findings from the sonic echo tests are presented in this paper. The field studies demonstrated that the sonic echo method can be used successfully to detect major defects in installed soil nails. The nail condition predictions from sonic echo tests were confirmed by actual nail conditions observed after all the soil nails were exhumed.

The Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) is responsible for the safe operation and mission success of manned space flights. The MITRE Corporation, working with MOD, is developing requirements for the Operations Management System (OMS) to automate many aspects of flight control for the Space Station onboard systems. To help develop these requirements, the Integrated Status Assessment (ISA) expert system prototype was built to perform Station-wide failure diagnosis. This paper describes the OMS, how the ISA prototype was built, and how the prototype is being used to help define the OMS.Currently the Space Shuttle is managed on the ground using a hierarchy of control personnel. A flight director responsible for the overall Shuttle mission, a number of front room flight controllers are each responsible for a different system, and many back room controllers support various front room controllers. This system has been used since the early days of space flight and is very manpower intensive. A similar hierarchy is seen in an automated system for the Space Station. The back room controllers can be augmented with smart components and sensors on the Station and the front room controllers can have their jobs aided with expert systems. At the highest level is the OMS which works at the flight director level getting summary information from the various systems in the Station.The OMS will include onboard automation, ground based automation, onboard manual operations, and ground based operations. One of the functions of the OMS is to perform a Station-wide status assessment and failure diagnosis of the Station. This Station-wide view is very important because all of the systems interact with each other and a failure in one system will have impacts on the other systems.It became evident early in discussion with to the MOD flight controllers that prototypes would be very helpful in the process of gathering requirements for the OMS. The prototypes were used to gather additional requirements, to expose people to new ideas and technologies, and study the feasibility of these technologies for systems management.Because the task of assessing the status of space vehicles is a complex job that requires “expert” knowledge to find heuristic solutions to problems, an expert system approach was chosen to prototype the ISA system. The initial domain of the expert system was the KU band portion of the communications and tracking system (one of the onboard “core” Space Station Systems).The ISA prototype expert system consists of a knowledge base, an inference engine, and a user interface. The ISA system was designed as a hybrid expert system using different methodologies: object-oriented programming, rule-based programming using both shallow and deep reasoning, and qualitative modeling.The ISA prototype has been very successful in its goals. ISA has demonstrated new technology and ideas to the NASA operations community, helped define requirements for the OMS, and shown the feasibility of using hierarchical expert systems to monitor complex systems. The ISA prototype, along with other OMS prototypes, are being integrated in a test bed environment with other space station prototypes to form the Space Station Information System (SSIS) End-to-end Test Capability (ETC) which will have components all over the world. The results of the ETC will influence the Space Station design and be a test environment for software and hardware for years to come.

Condition assessment and characterization of materials and structures by means of nondestructive testing (NDT) methods is a priority need around the world to meet the challenges associated with the durability, maintenance, rehabilitation, retrofitting, renewal and health monitoring of new and existing infrastructures including historic monuments. Numerous NDT methods that make use of certain components of the electromagnetic and acoustic spectrum are currently in use to this effect with various levels of success and there is an intensive worldwide research effort aimed at improving the existing methods and developing new ones. The knowledge and information compiled in this book captures the current state of the art in NDT methods and their application to civil and other engineering materials and structures. Critical reviews and advanced interdisciplinary discussions by world-renowned researchers point to the capabilities and limitations of the currently used NDT methods and shed light on current and future research directions to overcome the challenges in their development and practical use. In this respect, the contents of this book will equally benefit practicing engineers and researchers who take part in characterization, assessment and health monitoring of materials and structures.

<div class="section abstract"> <div class="htmlview paragraph">Nondestructive tests are those tests which detect factors related to the serviceability or quality of a part or material without limiting its usefulness. Material defects such as surface cracks, laps, pits, internal inclusions, bursts, shrink, seam, hot tears, and composition analysis can be detected. Sometimes their dimensions and exact location can be determined. Such tests can usually be made rapidly. Processing results such as hardness, case depth, wall thickness, ductility, decarburization, cracks, apparent tensile strength, grain size, and lack of weld penetration or fusion may be detectable and measurable. Service results such as corrosion and fatigue cracking may be detected and measured by nondestructive test methods. In many cases, imperfections can be automatically detected so that parts or materials can be classified.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">The SAE Handbook describes the following nondestructive test methods:</div> <ol class="list nostyle"> <li class="list-item"> <div class="htmlview paragraph">SAE J359—Infrared</div></li> <li class="list-item"> <div class="htmlview paragraph">SAE J420—Magnetic Particle</div></li> <li class="list-item"> <div class="htmlview paragraph">SAE J425—Eddy Current</div></li> <li class="list-item"> <div class="htmlview paragraph">SAE J426—Liquid Penetrant</div></li> <li class="list-item"> <div class="htmlview paragraph">SAE J427—Penetrating Radiation</div></li> <li class="list-item"> <div class="htmlview paragraph">SAE J428—Ultrasonic</div></li> <li class="list-item"> <div class="htmlview paragraph">SAE J1242—Acoustic Emission</div></li> <li class="list-item"> <div class="htmlview paragraph">SAE J1267—Leakage Testing</div></li></ol> <div class="htmlview paragraph"><span class="xref">Table 1</span> summarizes the principal features of most of these tests. In addition to the tests described, other nondestructive tests exist which are less well established, but whose use is expanding. Among these are microwave tests, holography, and sonic tests. Microwaves are used to locate defects in nonmetallic substances and to determine some physical characteristics of those materials. Optical holography uses coherent light from a laser beam to detect strains and defects in materials by means of three-dimensional imaging and interferometry techniques. Acoustical holography uses ultrasonic waves to image discontinuities in the interior of solids. Recent refinements in sonic testing permit more objective determination of the physical properties of cast iron. Complete information concerning each nondestructive test can be obtained from books listed in the bibliographies of the aforementioned reports.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">Increasing consumer demand for product quality at reasonable cost has resulted in development of nondestructive tests which can be applied to materials and manufactured parts. Although a variety of complementary nondestructive methods is available, development time is generally required for application to specific materials or products. The effect of part contour, surface condition, heat treatment, composition variation, and other variables may limit the ability of certain tests to detect imperfections with desired accuracy.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">Nondestructive tests properly applied to basic material can add greater assurance of performance to design strengths, thereby affecting material and manufacturing economy. In addition, parts can be tested after each basic operation which is critical to service performance of the finished part. In-process nondestructive tests can also serve as basic components of feedback process control systems since all tests are based upon measurements which do not damage the material or part being inspected.</div></div>

Buildings constructed during early 70's & late 80's of the last century in India are found to be in distressed conditions due to inadequate specifications and poor construction practices. The continuous monitoring of concrete structures using suitable NDT (Non Destructive Testing) methods and use of possible restoration methods help in a considerable reduction of the rate of deterioration of concrete structures thereby increasing the life span of structures. NDT methods have greater advantage in evaluating the uniformity, homogeneity, approximate compressive strength, durability, the extent of corrosion of rebars in concrete etc. of damaged structures. The objective of the present study is to enhance the life of 50 year old existing hospital building (Partly RC and Brick masonry) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Condition assessments are carried out through a visual, field and laboratory evaluation of samples collected from the structure and results are presented in this paper. The paper also highlights the assessment of strength and durability of concrete to evaluate the extent of distress and damage in the building. Besides visual inspection, the Non Destructive Evaluation covering UPV & Rebound Hammer values and Half Cell Potential with respect to the status of corrosion of reinforcing bars and chemical tests on selected un-distressed RC columns, beams, and slabs are also presented and discussed. The repair and strengthening techniques using the latest materials and possible restoration works such as column jacketing, shotcreting, anticorrosive coatings, etc. have been suggested to enhance the life of the structure.

Corrosion of reinforcement can decrease the quality and cause damage to reinforced concrete, so it is necessary to know the resistance of concrete, especially with oil palm shells (OPS) and mask fibers in a corrosive environment. This study aims to determine the effect of corrosion levels on OPS concrete and mask fiber using the NDT (non-destructive testing) method. Oil palm shells are a 10% replacement for coarse aggregate in the concrete mix. The mask fiber is 0.2% of the volume of the specimen, and the superplasticizer is 0.25% of the cement used as an additive in the concrete mixture. The specimen is 50 cm long, 10 cm wide, and 10 cm high. There are two types of specimens, namely pre-corrosion and post-corrosion. In pre-corrosion specimens, corrosion acceleration of the reinforcement is carried out before the concrete molding process. While the post-corrosion specimen is being prepared, corrosion acceleration is carried out after the concrete is 28 days old. Corrosion acceleration is carried out by immersing the concrete specimen in a 5% NaCl solution and using a DC power supply. After the concrete is corroded, NDT is carried out. The NDT methods used are resistivity and impact-echo as analysis and detection tools for the effect of corrosion on palm shell concrete and mask fiber. The pre-corrosion specimen got the highest resistivity value on the 0% specimen at 21.35 kΩ.cm and the lowest resistivity on the 5% specimen at 16.70 kΩ.cm. The resistivity value decreases with increasing corrosion levels. The post-corrosion concrete has the highest resistivity on the 0% specimen, with 18.56 kΩ.cm, and the lowest resistivity on the 5% specimen, with 13.88 kΩ.cm. The resistivity value decreases with increased corrosion levels. The impact-echo testing on the pre-corrosion specimen yielded a 0% specimen with a value of 14394.53 Hz and a 1% specimen of 18266.6 Hz. The frequency value decreases with increasing corrosion levels. The result of impact-echo testing on post-corrosion concrete was 14394.53 Hz for the 0% specimen and 1567.38 Hz for the 5% specimen. The frequency value decreases with increasing corrosion levels.

Mineral identification using x-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) requires human judgment and heuristics. Thus, the task is admirably suited for an expert system approach. Expert systems are computer programs which emulate human expertise. The power of an expert system is derived from the knowledge the system embodies, rather than from search algorithms. An expert system helps solve problems for which well-defined algorithmic solutions are difficult to obtain. The authors have coded an expert system, XRAYS, to identify minerals via x-ray diffractograms. The system emulates the well-known manual Hanawalt method, thus avoiding the black-box approach of some computer search/match programs. The mineral subfile of the JCPDS file is stored in a database file, from which the Hanawalt groups are created. The expert system then carries out a manual search following exactly the steps prescribed for the Hanawalt method. In the program, both peak positions and intensities are represented by fuzzy numbers. Fuzzy comparisons and fuzzy arithmetic operations are employed in searching for matches. A list of candidate minerals is output in decreasing order of confidence. Other information, such as chemistry, rock type, suspected minerals, etc. can be coded as production rules, thereby further narrowing the list of candidate minerals. Examples composed ofmore » typical mineral suites in sedimentary rocks will be given.« less