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PurdueX: Fundamentals of Non-Destructive Testing

Learn the fundamentals of non-destructive testing (NDT), a technique used to evaluate material and structure properties and defects without causing damage.

5 weeks
2–3 hours per week
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
This course is archived

About this course

Skip About this course

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is used across industries to ensure product integrity and reliability; it is used in the aerospace, defense, oil and gas, and automotive sectors. In civil engineering, NDT is commonly used to detect flaws and defects in concrete elements and structures.

This course will equip students with necessary fundamental knowledge related to NDT. Topics covered include mechanical properties and linear fracture mechanics of materials; testing procedures of commonly used materials and structures; techniques such as elasticity, fracture mechanics, and wave propagation.

The course also includes case studies so students can apply the knowledge to field inspection or monitoring of civil materials and structures as a simulation of real-life NDT applications.

At a glance

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Field Inspection, Oil And Gas, Civil Engineering, Fracture Mechanics, Materials Testing, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Destructive Testing, Wave Propagation

What you'll learn

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  • Explain the terminology and basic concepts of materials and structure failure mode and failure mechanisms
  • Identify and apply appropriate NDT methods for materials and structural health monitoring and sensing
  • Explain the typical data acquisition and signal visualization involved in commonly used NDT methods
  • Interpret a report of the NDT testing results in both oral and written format

Week 1:

  • Introduction to Non-Destructive Testing
  • Typical Failure Mechanisms

Week 2:

  • Elasticity
  • Fracture Mechanics
  • Fracture Behaviors

Week 3:

  • Viscosity
  • Viscosity Measurement
  • Rheology
  • Different Rheology Model
  • Temperature Effect and Loading Rate

Week 4:

  • Basic Concepts of Wave
  • Basic Characteristics of Wave
  • Electromagnetic Waves
  • Wave Modes and Resonance
  • Wave Propagation in Elastic Materials

Week 5:

  • Different Types of NDT Methods
  • NDT Selection Criteria
  • Inspection Reliability

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

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