U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
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Washington, DC 20590
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Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology
Coordinating, Developing, and Delivering Highway Transportation Innovations
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Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-04-124
Date: April 2005 |
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Lab & Field Testing of AUT Systems for Steel Highway BridgesPDF Version (34 KB)
PDF files can be viewed with the Acrobat® Reader® FOREWORDThe need for quality control and quality assurance of welds in the fabrication of steel bridge structures has led to the development of a variety of nondestructive inspection techniques. For many years, radiographic testing (RT) has been the preferred nondestructive inspection method used to ensure the quality of butt welds in the fabrication of steel plates for bridge girders. The major advantage of RT has been the capability of producing a radiograph that serves as a permanent record of the inspection. However, the significant health hazards associated with the use of radiographic methods have long been a concern. Recent advances in computers and ultrasonic technology have led to the development of automated ultrasonic testing (AUT) techniques that produce three-dimensional images of internal conditions in the weld. The AUT image can serve as a permanent record of the inspection and allows for subjective reviews of the inspection findings. Since AUT uses ultrasonic waves, there are minimal health concerns with this method. This report presents the findings of a study initiated by the Federal Highway Administration's Nondestructive Evaluation Validation Center (NDEVC) to evaluate the effectiveness and viability of automated ultrasonic testing techniques as a replacement for radiographic testing methods for the inspection of butt welds during fabrication of steel plates for bridge girders. Paul Teng, Director Office of Infrastructure Research and Development Notice This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the
U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The
U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the information contained in this document. The
U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers' names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the objective of the document. Quality Assurance Statement The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides high-quality information to serve Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding. Standards and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to ensure continuous quality improvement. Technical Report Documentation Page
SI* (Modern Metric) Conversion FactorsTABLE OF CONTENTS
4. EQUIPMENT QUALIFICATION AND CALIBRATION 5. TESTING AND EVALUATION PLAN
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TABLES
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