NDT Expert Advice

Investigating Buildings via NDT

NDT technology application is vital when carrying out building assessments, as it increases site safety, reduces asset damage, compiles far more data than traditional techniques alone, ultimately enabling ageing stock to be tested far more accurately and efficiently.
Ensure you hire a expert. In the wrong hands, incompetence can result in catastrophic failure of an asset that is deemed safe.

NDT Data Confirmation via Breakouts

Targeted breakouts are always necessary to ensure data readings are accurate. As shown below, two separate locations are exposed along the tendon to confirm a well grouted tendon within its sheath and hidden voidage at another location alongside their associated scans.

Showtime: NDT via GPR Application

The following video shows GPR being used to locate Tendons, depth & their profile.

Showtime: NDT via Ultrasonic Application

The following video shows the Pundit Live Array being used to detect hidden grouting defects.

An NDT Expert will be aware of the following

When looking for an NDT Expert to carry out critical Buidling Investigations via NDT, it is paramount that they know what they are doing or the results can be disasterous.

1. Not all NDT is created equal

All GPR units and Ultrasonic devices are not created equally, plus GPR will not work in all instances and the same goes with ultrasonics. It is vital to know when to apply one device over the other and often a blend of both is required for the most accurate data.

2. Setup determines Effectiveness

These devices are not plug and play. A set-up too far one way and what your testing can appear as though there are no defects / voids, a set-up at the opposite will show major problems. Understanding how to set-up and know what you are reading is a reflection of what is expected on the asset that is being scanned is vital. The data required will be determining remedial works or asset closure due to danger to life damage.

Effective use ONLY comes from training and hands on experience.

3. Understand how to interpret on site data.

It is paramount to know what you are looking at on the screen and whether that correlates with the what is known about the structure being tested. This must be done on site. A 3rd party cannot accurately determine data after the event and also cannot make an important judgement call.