Week 2 - Future Analysis Techniques

The field of building analysis technique is one in which new methods that are more efficient and economical continually come into the fray.  It is because of this constant improvement on previous techniques, that engineers are able to analyze the buildings being constructed as well as preexisting buildings in order to determine the health and safety of them.  One field that is becoming especially more prevalent in today's engineering and construction world is the technique known as Non Destructive Testing.

Non Destructive Testing is "the process of inspecting, testing, or evaluating materials, components or assemblies for discontinuities, or differences in characteristics without destroying the serviceability of the system.  In other words, when he inspection or test is completed the part can still be used. " [1]

The reason why this method is so important is that it doesn't destroy the structure that is currently erected.  Furthermore most of the techniques that fall under the curtain of Non Destructive Testing (NDT) do not require the system to be shutdown or limit operations which allows for continuous service which is important in the case of buildings.

There are several NDT Test Methods

• Acoustic Emission Testing (AE)
• Sensors listen for energy released from the material due to cracks and defects [2]
• Electromagnetic Testing (ET)
• Electrical current and Magnetic fields are induced inside a test subject and responses are observed [3]
• Radiographic Testing (RT)
• By using x-rays to gamma rays, defects are able to be found by displaying the differences in radiation absorption. [3]
• Leak Testing (LT)
• Using fluid and gas techniques, this technique is used to detect and locate leaks in containers
• Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
• Using high frequency sound waves measurements about the interior of a structure can be determined. [3]
• Visual Testing (VT)
• Visual Inspection of the surface of a material, does not provide any information about the inside of a member [3]

Each of these tests can be used but most are used in conjunction with another in order to get the best results.  It is impossible to get perfect results as each method has its pros and cons.  Some techniques are more expensive but give better results while others are fast but give only general information of the structure.  However as time progresses these techniques have become more well known and used in analyzing buildings and giving engineers real time data of how a structure is being maintained over time.  In the future it might even get to the point were these techniques will be integrated into the building design signaling when critical parts of the building are about to fail.  

Response:  I was very interested in the Data Mining concept brought up by several of my colleagues.  I was very interested in how it could possibly lead to technology that will be able to design and build on its own.  Furthermore what interested me was that this technology implemented with NDT would greatly change the face of the construction and life cycle analysis of buildings. 

Sources:

[1]   https://www.asnt.org/MajorSiteSections/NDT-Resource-Center/Introduction%20to%20Nondestructive%20Testing

[2]  http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Other%20Methods/AE/AE_Intro.htm

[3] http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ndt-non-destructive-testing-d_314.html