Non-Destructive Testing, NDT Los Angeles
Non- Destructive Testing | Ultrasonic Testing
Because industrial structures like smokestacks, chimneys, and towers are subject to constant wear-and-tear from regular operations and environmental factors, it’s important to have non-destructive testing performed periodically to determine structural integrity.
Temperature excursions, wind loading, harsh weather conditions, extended operation, seismic occurrences and chemical attacks can all lead to deterioration of a structure.
Non-destructive tests can be performed to quickly and easily identify vulnerabilities in the internal and external components of a structure.
Why Choose Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Services
NDT methods are designed to examine the condition & strength of a structure, like an industrial chimney or smokestack, in a way that will not affect the usefulness or performance of the component. No physical samples are taken or parts removed, and no damage is done to the structure in any way.
The Los Angeles Rope Access Division uses NDT methods to establish baseline measurements to compare subsequent periodic readings of a structure’s characteristics, including material’s surface hardness, density, thickness and temperature. These details can support sound choices for future repair or replacement expenditures.
Types of Non-Destructive Testing Methods
There are a number of NDT methods that allow our crew to determine structural integrity:
- Ultrasonic Thickness Testing - measures the relative thickness of a material at various intervals to determine if any areas are thinning or deteriorating.
- Schmidt Hammer Testing - (Rebound Hammer Testing) estimates the strength of concrete based on surface hardness and resistance to penetration.
- Infrared Thermography - measures differences in surface temperature at various coordinates on the structure to identify missing or damaged refractory holes, cracks, or leaks, along with failing expansion joints, gaskets or valves.
- Laser Surveys - measures the distance, angle, and physical characteristics of a structure to determine if any deviations have developed over the course of its operation. All measurements taken during the survey are then compared to the data from its original construction measurements.
- Hot Camera Inspections - allows technicians to view the inside of a chimney or stack while it is still online to identify and detect large deficiencies like damaged or missing brickwork and corroding or cracked liners.
Since non-destructive tests are comparatively inexpensive, efficient, and require little to no facility outages, they have become a popular choice for testing structural integrity.