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PurdueX: Wave-Based NDT Methods

Learn how to use wave-based NDT techniques, ultrasonic testing, acoustic emission, etc, to inspect the structural integrity of civil engineering structures, including highways, bridges, dams, and buildings.

6 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

Wave-based NDT methods allow for reliable and rapid evaluation of civil engineering infrastructure. These methods are particularly useful in long-range inspection; for example, in pipelines, where the wave-based NDT can provide data on hundreds of meters of piping in a matter of seconds.

In this course, students will learn about wave-based NDT methods, including ultrasonic inspection, acoustic emission, resonant frequency testing, and electromechanical impedance testing. The topics include piezoelectric effect, basic principles of various wave-based NDT methods, and their associated data acquisition.

The course also includes case studies so students can apply the knowledge to field inspection or monitoring of materials and structures.

At a glance

  • Institution: PurdueX
  • Subject: Engineering
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Prerequisites:

    Students interested in taking Wave-Based NDT Methods should successfully complete the edX course, Fundamentals of Non-Destructive Testing, before registering.

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Field Inspection, Infrastructure, Acoustic Emission, Ultrasonic Testing, Data Acquisition, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Civil Engineering

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • Explain the basic principles of various wave-based NDT techniques
  • Interpret the obtained data of wave-based NDT methods
  • Evaluate the material and structure conditions and integrity based on wave-based NDT methods
  • Report the NDT testing results in both oral and written format following the provided guidelines

Week 1:

  • Introduction to Piezoelectricity
  • Fundamentals of Piezoelectricity
  • Piezoelectric Characterization
  • Piezoelectric Transducer
  • Types of Piezoelectric Transducers
  • Example Piezoelectric Transducer Fabrication

Week 2:

  • Basic Principles of Ultrasound
  • Measurement Techniques of Ultrasonic Inspection
  • Couplant Gel
  • Signal Processing & Visualization
  • Ultrasonic NDT in Concrete Testing

Week 3:

  • Acoustic Emission Basic Principle
  • AE Inspection Equipment
  • AE Signal Features
  • AE Inspection Applications

Week 4:

  • Resonant Frequency Testing Principle
  • RF Inspection Equipment
  • Case Studies

Week 5:

  • Electromechanical Impedance (EMI) Testing Methods
  • EMI Spectrum
  • EMI Data Processing
  • EMI Applications
  • EMI Case Study

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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