Use Of Non-destructive Methods Research Articles

Limit State of Bake Hardened Stamped Interstitial-free Steel Automotive Parts Caused by Local Thickness Reduction

Current trends in the complex shapes of modern automobiles lead to the need for extremely formable materials for deep drawing applications. In general Interstitial–Free (IF) steels present the solution for this purpose. In addition, the cold stamping process is influenced by a variety of input factors that must be correctly adjusted. An imperfection in one of the inputs may cause stamping defects even with deep drawing materials. Limit states may then appear in the form of cracks or unacceptable thinning in the critically stressed areas of the stamped parts. For this reason, a general focus is placed on the use of non-destructive methods and inspection of stamped parts after stamping for potential subsequent modification of the stamping process. The presented work deals with the material analyses of stamped parts made of Bake-Hardened Interstitial-Free steel, including the local thickness reduction of the material, leading to the occurrence of crack propagation. The focus of the work was placed on the critical influencing factors resulting from the limit states presented. The evaluation of the material flow and the local plastic response was carried out using a cylindrical indentation method. In addition, the SEM analyses showed the importance of the deformation capacity of the surface coating which proved to be one of the decisive parameters for the occurrence of limit states.

Determining the characteristics of concrete in a historical building under the influence of climatic and biological factors

The object of this study was concrete samples of the cathedral and wall frescoes. The study solved the problem related to the destruction of concrete and wall frescoes under the long-term influence of biochemical and climatic factors. Samples of concrete for research and wall murals were obtained from a historic listed building. Using microbiological studies and scanning electron microscopy, damage to wall murals and concrete by microscopic fungi was established: Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium brevicompactum, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium sphaerospermum. The study of concrete samples by the TPD-MS method showed the presence of an increased level of moisture and carbon compounds by 20 % in the test samples, compared to control. The sulfur content in all concrete samples was not significant. Determination of the mineral composition of concrete by X-ray diffraction showed the presence of Al2O3, 36–44 %, which indicates a significant clay content. The presence of NiTi, 53 %, and СoMg7O8, 46 %, in the concrete sample indicates the probable migration of the chemical elements of the paint pigments used to decorate the cathedral. The concrete control sample contained a significant amount of SiO2, up to 51 %, which is the main component of sand. A feature of the work is the determination of the corrosion effect on concrete under prolonged exposure to climatic and biological factors. The present study is distinguished by the use of non-destructive methods: microbiological studies, scanning electron microscopy, TPD-MS and X-ray diffraction to determine the destruction of concrete and wall frescoes of the building, which is a cultural heritage. The results of the study could be applied to the development and planning of restoration works for the restoration of buildings that have historical value

Pearson Correlation and Multiple Correlation Analyses of the Animal Fat S-Parameter

In specialised food products, the detection and identification of various sources of oils and fats are essential. Consumers are concerned about the adulteration of vegetable oils to avoid health problems and the risk of developing heart disease. There were a few cases where less expensive animal fat, in particular pork fat, was found in halal meals. The limitations of conventional methods for detecting pork in other meats can be overcome with the use of non-destructive methods. This study reveals the feasibility of using the microwave non-destructive testing method to identify animal fats. In the frequency between 8 GHz and 12 GHz, the microwave non-destructive testing method was used to obtain the S-parameters of the chicken, beef, and pork fats in the form of raw, baked, and oil. Single and multiple correlation analyses were then performed to identify the relationship between the animal fats and to differentiate them. The results of the Pearson correlation analysis show that for all animal fats, both raw and baked fat had a higher correlation value, which indicated they have the same or similar features. The different correlation values obtained from the multiple correlation analysis demonstrated that animal fats have distinct features, regardless of whether they are raw, baked, or liquid forms. The multiple correlation analysis is a more suitable technique to detect animal fats compared to the Pearson correlation analysis.

The K-X-ray intensity ratios as a tool of examination and thickness measurements of coating layers

The ED-XRF (Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence) measurements and the FLUKA simulations have been made to discuss the possibility of recognition of coating layer as well as to its thickness measurement. In this work the IKα(Cu)/IKα(Ag) intensity ratios as well as IKβ(Ag)/IKα(Ag) and IKβ(Cu)/IKα(Cu) for copper samples coated with various thickness of sputtered silver have been analyzed. The results show strong dependence of these factors with coating silver layer thickness.The measurements show the performance of this method in archaeometry. Since the use of non-destructive methods during tests on ancient silver artifacts may not supply to obtain reliable bulk results and should be considered applicable for only surface analyses, the measured intensity ratios can be applied as a tool to estimation of surface silver enrichment thickness.

Acoustic scattering properties of a seagrass, Cymodocea nodosa: in-situ measurements

Abstract Marine prairies play various crucial roles in marine ecosystems. The seagrasses that compose them are one of the most important components engineering the marine coastal system, providing significant spatial niches. Some of the seagrasses found in marine prairies are protected, and it is not recommended to sample them with destructive methods. Non-destructive methods such as remote sensing have been proposed as important means of studying these protected species. In the present study, the acoustic scattering properties of Cymodocea nodosa were studied with two different in/ex situ experiments conducted on a Turkish Mediterranean coast using a scientific echosounder (206 kHz split beam transducer) in different months over the years 2011 and 2012. After a series of acoustic processes, correlations and regression equations were established between different acoustic parameters of the Elementary Distance Sampling Units and biometric traits of below/above ground parts of the seagrass. The relationships were logarithmically established producing first a Rayleigh zone, followed by a geometrical zone that occurred with increased biometrics. No seasonal difference occurred in the relationships for the above-ground parts. Unlike the leaves, seagrass sheaths demonstrated unstable echo energy, inconsistent relationships, and unexplained acoustic responses over the span of several months. Regarding leaf density changing in time, significant relationships were explained as a function of the acoustic zones. Four points were highlighted to explain the differences in the estimations between the two experiments; i) the backscattering strengths depended on strength of biomass and its fractions (leaf area, shoot density and volume) between the two experiments, ii) the first experiment measured backscattering strength from individual specimens, but the second experiment was performed on the total biomass of seagrass per unit area, iii) different frequency response to the biometrics occurred in the two experiments, and iv) the non-linear effect of the sheath could not be separated from that of the leaf during the second experiment. The present study was the first attempt to characterize relationships between the biometric and acoustic backscattering properties of C. nodosa, and will guide researchers in future use of non-destructive methods.

Non-Destructive Methods Used to Determine Forage Mass and Nutritional Condition in Tropical Pastures

The quantification of forage availability in tropical grasses is generally done in a destructive and time-consuming manner, involving cutting, weighing, and waiting for drying. To expedite this process, non-destructive methods can be used, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with high-definition cameras, mobile device images, and the use of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). However, these methods have been underutilized in tropical pastures. A literature review was conducted to present the current state of remote tools’ use in predicting forage availability and quality in tropical pastures. Few publications address the use of non-destructive methods to estimate forage availability in major tropical grasses (Megathyrsus maximus; Urochloa spp.). Additionally, these studies do not consider the fertility requirements of each cultivar and the effect of management on the phenotypic plasticity of tillers. To obtain accurate estimates of forage availability and properly manage pastures, it is necessary to integrate remote methods with in situ collection of soil parameters. This way, it will be possible to train machine learning models to obtain precise and reliable estimates of forage availability for domestic ruminant production.

Influence of Fire Exposition of Fibre-Cement Boards on Their Microstructure.

The diagnostics of materials, elements and structures after fire exposure are very complicated. Researchers carrying out such diagnostics encounter difficulties at the very beginning, e.g., how to map fire conditions. In this publication, the authors focused on the analysis of the fibre-cement composite used as facade cladding. The fibre-cement boards are construction products used in civil engineering. The fibre-cement boards are characterised by two phases: the matrix phase and the dispersed phase. The analysis of fibre-cement composite was performed using non-destructive methods. The use of non-destructive methods in the future will allow for the analysis of facades after fires without the need to obtain large elements, which will significantly reduce costs while increasing safety. The aim of the work was to determine internal changes in the microstructure of fibre-cement boards after exposure to fire. The degraded samples were compared with reference samples in the evaluation of the microstructure. An analysis was performed using a scanning electron microscope, images of backscattered electrons (BSE) and maps obtained using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), which allowed conclusions to be drawn. The observed changes were presented in the form of photos showing changes in the composition of the plates, and they were commented on. It should be noted that fire temperatures act destructively, and a number of changes can be observed in the microstructure. The results of the work indicate that, in the future, the use of non-destructive methods will make it possible to assess the degree of degradation of the façade after a fire.

Analysis of the Degradation of Pearlitic Steel Mechanical Properties Depending on the Stability of the Structural Phases.

The paper is focused on analysing the pearlitic steel phase transformations and their influence on the mechanical properties. The intention is to perform a detailed analysis of the heat treatment process using the exact heating temperature and chemical composition to achieve the optimal mechanical properties of the tool. The key area is monitoring and regulating the heat treatment. This technology is constantly undergoing an optimisation process and is an effort to introduce new trends in monitoring phase transformations and processes. The use of non-destructive methods is an adequate tool. The principle is to determine the exact structural phase at a given moment, which can be very difficult when a complex shaped part is heat treated. Which precludes the use of some other methods of phase transformation analysis. Specifically, the determination of the exact moment of finish of the austenitisation process is eminent. The monitoring of these processes will be ensured by both a non-contact pyrometer and also by the AE method with an adequate sensor and waveguide. The resulting structural phases formed after the heat treatment will be evaluated by electron microscopy, followed by the analysis of the mechanical properties of selected steels.

Methods for noninvasive assessment of sexual dimorphism of embryos in the poultry egg

The necessity of determining the sex in the bird's egg by non-invasive methods before incubation and during the incubation period is shown. The use of non-destructive methods for assessing sexual dimorphism in practice will significantly reduce the cost of producing eggs and poultry meat. The introduction of such methods will reduce the moral problems associated with the physical destruction of hatched chickens, depending on the egg or broiler direction of the poultry farm profile. The main methods and technical means for determining sexual dimorphism, used in world practice, are considered, the main disadvantage of which is the complexity of implementation and the associated high cost of acquiring such tools. Analysis of current world trends in the determination of sexual dimorphism of embryos in the poultry egg was carried out. Less costly methods of estimating their sex before and during incubation were identified. The main noninvasive methods for assessing the sexual dimorphism of the egg embryo are analyzed and the advantages and disadvantages of these methods are shown. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that for the first time it was proposed to use all shape parameters, including egg asymmetries in three spatial coordinates, determined by computer vision methods, when assessing sexual dimorphism. An experimental colorimetric apparatus for assessing the sexual dimorphism of egg embryos before and during the incubation process based on computer vision was proposed. The use of an experimental setup in research will allow evaluating the effectiveness of at least 3 methods for determining the sexual dimorphism of chicken eggs in terms of parameters: spatial asymmetry of the egg, structural changes in the development of the embryo and its heart rate.

A new Palaeolithic female figurine from Piatra Neamț, Romania

We report here on the 2019 discovery of an Upper Palaeolithic female figurine at the open-air site of Piatra Neamț in the Bistrița valley, Romania. This figurine, the first ever to be discovered in Romania, was found in an area in which Palaeolithic figurative art is extremely poorly represented and such figurines are absent. We shall present the first observations regarding the context of find and materials on the site, the results of the dating of occupations excavated so far and a detailed description of the figurine, for which low- and high-resolution microscopy was used. Its analysis involved several stages of research and the use of non-destructive methods: Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE), FT–Raman vibrational spectroscopy, Computed tomography (CT) scan. In this way, ever since its first publication, the Palaeolithic figurine found at Piatra Neamț has been the subject of several interdisciplinary studies, which have allowed for better description and characterisation of the traces preserved on it.

Considerations on efficient procedural steps for seismic capacity assessment and diagnostics of historic structural glass systems

Structural designers are nowadays supported by standards and guidelines to optimize the mechanical performance and safety level of glass load-bearing elements and assemblies in buildings. Key role is given to deformation and stress check, and post-breakage verification, for newly designed glass systems. Performance limits are provided also for extreme events, such as earthquakes. Besides, major risk for people could derive from existing/historic glass components and systems that have not been conceived to offer minimum structural capacity against operational loads and accidents. No technical recommendations are available to quantify their actual vulnerability and capacity, thus retrofits and mitigations are also hard to plan. In this paper, possible procedural methodology steps towards are addressed. The attention is given to present technical guidelines for structural design, on one side, and on the optimized use of non-destructive methods (like Operational Modal Analysis (OMA)) and numerical methods to facilitate diagnostic steps and the mechanical characterization of components, as well as to realistic description of boundaries and even damage. Practical examples are discussed for a case-study glass-steel envelope built in 60s in Italy, which is analyzed with the support of Finite Element (FE) numerical models against in-plane and out-of-plane seismic actions.

K poznání charakteru a rozsahu oppida Staré Hradisko (okr. Prostějov) na základě nedestruktivních prospekčních metod a dálkového průzkumu

Aplikace moderních nedestruktivních metod (geofyzikální průzkum, letecká archeologie a LiDAR) tvoří již několik desetiletí nedílnou součást archeologického výzkumu a jejich prostřednictvím je možné získávat zajímavá a důležitá zjištění bez narušení zkoumaných situací. Použitím výše zmíněných metod na moravském oppidu Staré Hradisko (okr. Prostějov) byly upřesněny a doplněny stávající poznatky o osídlení na ploše západně od opevnění. Významný je objev dosud neznámé klešťovité brány ve východní části opevnění spolu s navazujícím fortifikačním systémem obepínajícím severní část oppida.

Non-destructive Testing of Wooden Elements

Examining the condition of wooden elements is crucial from the perspective of proper structure performance. If the deterioration in the internal wood condition, which displays no symptoms visible from the outside, is detected, the further spread of the deterioration can be prevented. Test results often point to the necessity of conducting repairs and, renovations, replacing the structure of wooden beams, or even substituting a significant part of the structure. To achieve acceptable results, test methods should take into account the anisotropic nature of wood, which includes the shape of annual rings, as well as the location of the core in crosssection. To adopt methods based on physical effects, profound knowledge of wood physics is needed, particularly of interdependence. Apart from simple tests such as a visual inspection or tapping that are used to determine near-surface defects, non-destructive testing (NDT) plays an important role in the process. This paper presents the methods of non-destructive testing of wooden elements. These methods include tests conducted with ground penetrating radar (GPR), thermal techniques, microwaves, acoustic emission, ultrasonic tomography, and X-ray tomography. The paper summarises the use of non-destructive methods, indicating their advantages, disadvantages as well as some limitations.

Visualization, Documentation and Non-Destructive Investigation of an Ancient Egyptian Corn Mummy in a Falcon-shaped Wooden Coffin

Corn mummies’ were funerary objects in ancient Egypt that were served as sacred images of the god Osiris during the Khoiak feast. They are grain-filled linen sacs, usually filled with an emmer or barley specimen, the ingredients for staple food in ancient Egypt (bread and beer). In the fertility cult of Osiris, the function of Corn mummies was presumably for continuous prosperity of the land and healthy crop growth. This paper focuses on the use of nondestructive methods for the documentation and visual examination of a Corn mummy coffin (No. 1242) dating back to the late period; but its original inscriptions are partially lost. Digital imaging and Reflectance Transformation imaging (RTI) were used to document all surface aspects. D-stretch was used to enhance surface details that were not clearly visible by digital imaging and RTI. Infrared imaging was used to reveal the details of hieroglyphic inscriptions and outline drawings on the wooden coffin. X-ray radiography was used to non-destructively verify the inside contents of the wrapped mummy inside the wooden coffin, and whether it includes any human remains or not. The methods provided a comprehensive documentation and examination of the various parts of the artifact.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE METHOD OF CONCRETE PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES DETERMINATION BY NON-DESTRUCTIVE METHODS

Abstract. To ensure the reliability of existing buildings, facilities and building structures, objective information is required, the receipt of which is mainly associated with the use of non-destructive methods of control. Current normative documents regulate the strength and deformability characteristics of the material, which are used mainly in the design of structures. The normalized value is obtained on the basis of probabilistic and statistical processing and is characterized by some conditional value. Improvement of methods of calculation of constructions connected with the account of elastic-plastic properties of concrete is based on application of the standardized diagrams of work of concrete received on the basis of laboratory experiments. In the real structure due to differences in the composition of laboratory and real concrete, technologies of its manufacture and laying, there may be significant differences from the acquired value "Concrete strength" and "Modulus of elasticity", which was taken to calculate the structure. The above-mentioned influence of the stress level on the readings of the device in determining the strength of concrete by non-destructive testing methods was investigated on concrete samples of six different compositions. Concrete cubes measuring 150×150×150 mm were used to study the stated assumptions. The determination of the strength of concrete samples by the non-destructive method was performed. A sclerometer (Schmidt's Hammer MSH-225) was used to determine, which implements the method of elastic rebound. The determination was performed at different load levels, which was added to the test sample, followed by determination of the strength of concrete on a hydraulic press with a load up to 1250 kN. The analysis of the obtained results shows that the attempt to obtain a generalized calibration curve, which would take into account the change in the stress level in the structure, leads to a decrease in the accuracy of determining the physical and mechanical characteristics of concrete. The presented dependences demonstrate the significance of the influence of the stress level in the structural element on the results of determining the physical and mechanical characteristics of concrete by non-destructive methods. The analysis of these dependences shows the need to modernize non-destructive methods for determining the physical and mechanical characteristics of concrete.

Multispectral and X-ray images for characterization of Jatropha curcas L. seed quality

BackgroundThe use of non-destructive methods with less human interference is of great interest in agricultural industry and crop breeding. Modern imaging technologies enable the automatic visualization of multi-parameter for characterization of biological samples, reducing subjectivity and optimizing the analysis process. Furthermore, the combination of two or more imaging techniques has contributed to discovering new physicochemical tools and interpreting datasets in real time.ResultsWe present a new method for automatic characterization of seed quality based on the combination of multispectral and X-ray imaging technologies. We proposed an approach using X-ray images to investigate internal tissues because seed surface profile can be negatively affected, but without reaching important internal regions of seeds. An oilseed plant (Jatropha curcas) was used as a model species, which also serves as a multi-purposed crop of economic importance worldwide. Our studies included the application of a normalized canonical discriminant analyses (nCDA) algorithm as a supervised transformation building method to obtain spatial and spectral patterns on different seedlots. We developed classification models using reflectance data and X-ray classes based on linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The classification models, individually or combined, showed high accuracy (> 0.96) using reflectance at 940 nm and X-ray data to predict quality traits such as normal seedlings, abnormal seedlings and dead seeds.ConclusionsMultispectral and X-ray imaging have a strong relationship with seed physiological performance. Reflectance at 940 nm and X-ray data can efficiently predict seed quality attributes. These techniques can be alternative methods for rapid, efficient, sustainable and non-destructive characterization of seed quality in the future, overcoming the intrinsic subjectivity of the conventional seed quality analysis.

EVALUATION OF MASONRY GROUTING EFFECTIVENESS USING THERMOGRAPHY AND ULTRASONIC METHODS

One of the frequently used methods of stabilization and reinforcement of historic masonry is grouting, especially grouting of cracks and voids in masonry structures. Determination of the properties of the injected structure, both in terms of physico-mechanical properties (with regard to the subsequent compatibility of the grouting mixture) and in terms of its condition and failures (cracks, voids, cavities), is a prerequisite for correct design and realization of reinforcement grouting. Minimization of interventions into the historic structure while performing surveys and the associated use of non-destructive diagnostic methods is one of the requirements for the remediation of listed buildings. Within the experimental research of reinforcement of historic masonry structures, the possibility of using thermography and ultrasound methods was evaluated and conditions and limitations for the use of these non-destructive methods were formulated.

Nondestructive Estimation of the Above-Ground Biomass of Multiple Tree Species in Boreal Forests of China Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning

Above-ground biomass (AGB) plays a pivotal role in assessing a forest’s resource dynamics, ecological value, carbon storage, and climate change effects. The traditional methods of AGB measurement are destructive, time consuming and laborious, and an efficient, relatively accurate and non-destructive AGB measurement method will provide an effective supplement for biomass calculation. Based on the real biophysical and morphological structures of trees, this paper adopted a non-destructive method based on terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) point cloud data to estimate the AGBs of multiple common tree species in boreal forests of China, and the effects of differences in bark roughness and trunk curvature on the estimation of the diameter at breast height (DBH) from TLS data were quantitatively analyzed. We optimized the quantitative structure model (QSM) algorithm based on 100 trees of multiple tree species, and then used it to estimate the volume of trees directly from the tree model reconstructed from point cloud data, and to calculate the AGBs of trees by using specific basic wood density values. Our results showed that the total DBH and tree height from the TLS data showed a good consistency with the measured data, since the bias, root mean square error (RMSE) and determination coefficient (R2) of the total DBH were −0.8 cm, 1.2 cm and 0.97, respectively. At the same time, the bias, RMSE and determination coefficient of the tree height were −0.4 m, 1.3 m and 0.90, respectively. The differences of bark roughness and trunk curvature had a small effect on DBH estimation from point cloud data. The AGB estimates from the TLS data showed strong agreement with the reference values, with the RMSE, coefficient of variation of root mean square error (CV(RMSE)), and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) values of 17.4 kg, 13.6% and 0.97, respectively, indicating that this non-destructive method can accurately estimate tree AGBs and effectively calibrate new allometric biomass models. We believe that the results of this study will benefit forest managers in formulating management measures and accurately calculating the economic and ecological benefits of forests, and should promote the use of non-destructive methods to measure AGB of trees in China.

Using non-destructive testing to predict the mechanical properties of glued laminated poplar

This paper describes the use of non-destructive methods to assess the mechanical properties of structural glued laminated timber (GLT) made from poplar. The longitudinal vibration method (LVM) and the transformed section method (TSM) were considered. Full-scale tests were also performed to determine the most relevant mechanical properties of 18 beams, namely modulus of elasticity and bending strength. In addition, the bonding performance of each beam was checked by delamination and shear strength tests. Detailed analysis of the results was performed and combined with Levene and Tukey tests. The accuracy of the two non-destructive test methods was evaluated by linear regression analysis. The TSM showed stronger correlations with modulus of elasticity and shear strength. Slightly lower values were obtained using the LVM. A strength class of GL24c can be assigned for GLT made from poplar, with lower properties at the inner lamellas.

Evaluation of Damage Degree of Inconel 718 Alloy with the Use of Non-Destructive Methods

The article presents results of the investigation of the quantitative evaluation of the degree of damage, described by the measure of accumulated plastic strain obtained in a static tensile test, using selected non-destructive techniques. Inconel 718 alloy was tested. The tests were conducted using a new type of specimens of variable cross-sectional area of measuring part. This provided a continuous distribution of plastic strain in the gage part of the specimen. The permanent deformation that varies along the sample axis enables an analysis of damage induced by a plastic deformation. The proposed method enables replacing the series of specimens by one sample. Degradation of the alloy corresponds with the changes of the electromagnetic properties of the material—the phase angle of the complex impedance of the eddy current, as well as with acoustics properties of material—acoustic birefringence of ultrasonic waves. It allows to determine the degree of damage of the material using noninvasive, non-destructive methods. Using the damage parameter proposed by Johnson it is possible to obtain the correlation between the non-destructive results and a damage degree of the material. The presented testing method delivers information about changes in the material structure caused by permanent deformation.