Introduction

Ensuring the long-term safety, integrity, and performance of critical infrastructure is a paramount concern for engineers and asset managers globally, particularly as structures age and face increasing demands from environmental factors and usage. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) represent the cutting-edge methodologies for assessing the condition of materials and structures without causing damage, enabling proactive maintenance, preventing catastrophic failures, and optimizing service life. This training course is meticulously designed to equip civil, mechanical, aerospace, and materials engineers, structural inspectors, quality control professionals, and asset managers with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in understanding various NDT techniques, mastering SHM systems design and implementation, leveraging sensor technologies and data analytics for condition assessment, interpreting inspection data for informed decision-making, and applying these advanced methods for the diagnosis and prognosis of structural health across diverse applications, from bridges and buildings to pipelines and aircraft. Participants will gain a deep understanding of how to apply SHM and NDT to enhance safety, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the lifespan of valuable assets.

Target Audience

• Civil Engineers (Structural, Bridge, Materials)
• Mechanical Engineers
• Aerospace Engineers
• Structural Inspectors & Assessors
• Quality Control / Quality Assurance Professionals
• Asset Managers & Owners
• Maintenance Engineers
• Researchers in Structural Engineering and Materials Science
• Technicians involved in NDT and SHM

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles and applications of various Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods.
• Master the design, implementation, and operation of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems.
• Learn about different sensor technologies and data acquisition systems for SHM.
• Develop proficiency in analyzing and interpreting NDT and SHM data for structural condition assessment.
• Understand the correlation between material properties, defects, and structural performance.
• Explore advanced data processing techniques, including signal processing and machine learning for SHM.
• Learn about the regulatory frameworks, codes, and standards for NDT and SHM.
• Develop skills in assessing remaining useful life and performing prognostics for structures.
• Understand the economic benefits and challenges of implementing SHM and NDT.
• Formulate comprehensive inspection and monitoring plans for diverse structural assets.
• Gain hands-on experience with NDT equipment and SHM software.

Course Content

Module 1. Introduction to Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)

• Defining SHM: Purpose, goals, and benefits for infrastructure management
• Comparison with traditional inspection methods
• SHM System Components: Sensors, data acquisition, data processing, communication, decision-making
• Types of SHM: Global vs. local, continuous vs. periodic
• Applications of SHM across various industries (civil, aerospace, mechanical)

Module 2. Fundamentals of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

• Principles of NDT: Principles, advantages, and limitations
• Classification of NDT methods
• Overview of common NDT techniques and their applications
• NDT vs. Destructive Testing
• Importance of NDT in quality control and asset integrity management

Module 3. Visual Inspection (VT) and Remote Visual Inspection (RVI)

• Principles of VT: Direct and indirect visual inspection
• Tools and equipment for VT (borescopes, videoscopes, drones)
• Remote Visual Inspection (RVI): Use of robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
• Documenting and reporting visual inspection findings
• Safety considerations during visual inspections

Module 4. Ultrasonic Testing (UT)

• Principles of UT: Sound wave propagation, reflection, and transmission
• Types of UT: Pulse-echo, through-transmission, phased array UT
• Equipment: Transducers, couplants, flaw detectors
• Defect detection and characterization using UT
• Applications: Welds, castings, composites, thickness measurement

Module 5. Radiographic Testing (RT)

• Principles of RT: X-ray and gamma ray radiation
• Radiation sources, film radiography, computed radiography, digital radiography
• Safety and shielding requirements for RT
• Defect detection and interpretation in welds, castings, and assemblies
• Limitations and advantages of RT

Module 6. Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) and Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT)

• Principles of MT: Magnetization, magnetic flux leakage, particle application
• Detecting surface and shallow subsurface defects in ferromagnetic materials
• Principles of PT: Penetrant application, dwell time, excess penetrant removal, developer application
• Detecting surface-breaking defects in non-porous materials
• Applications and limitations of MT and PT

Module 7. Eddy Current Testing (ET) and Acoustic Emission (AE) Testing

• Principles of ET: Electromagnetic induction, eddy current generation
• Detecting surface and near-surface defects, conductivity measurement, thickness measurement
• Principles of AE: Transient elastic waves from localized sources (e.g., crack growth, corrosion)
• Passive monitoring for active damage mechanisms
• Applications of ET and AE

Module 8. Thermography and Infrared Testing

• Principles of Thermography: Infrared radiation, heat transfer mechanisms
• Active vs. Passive Thermography
• Detecting delaminations, voids, moisture ingress, and thermal anomalies
• Equipment: Infrared cameras and software
• Applications in concrete, composites, and electrical systems

Module 9. Advanced NDT Methods and Techniques

• Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers (EMAT): Non-contact UT
• Guided Wave Testing (GWT): Long-range inspection of pipelines, rails
• Laser Shearography and Speckle Interferometry: Full-field strain measurement
• Digital Image Correlation (DIC) for surface deformation
• Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for concrete and subsurface imaging

Module 10. Sensor Technologies for SHM

• Strain Sensors: Strain gauges (electrical, fiber optic), FBG sensors
• Displacement and Tilt Sensors: LVDT, inclinometers, GPS
• Acceleration Sensors: Accelerometers for vibration and seismic monitoring
• Temperature and Humidity Sensors
• Wireless sensor networks (WSN) for SHM

Module 11. Data Acquisition, Transmission, and Management in SHM

• Data Acquisition Systems (DAS): Analog-to-digital conversion, sampling rates
• Data Transmission: Wired, wireless, cellular, satellite communication
• Data Storage and Management: Databases, cloud platforms
• Sensor Calibration and Synchronization
• Power management for SHM systems

Module 12. Data Processing and Analysis for SHM

• Signal Processing: Filtering, denoising, spectral analysis (FFT)
• Statistical Process Control: Monitoring deviations from normal behavior
• Damage Detection Algorithms: Vibration-based methods, impedance methods
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for anomaly detection and prognostics
• Visualization tools for SHM data

Module 13. Prognostics and Health Management (PHM)

• Defining PHM: Predicting remaining useful life (RUL) of structures
• Degradation Modeling: Physics-based, data-driven, hybrid models
• Predictive Maintenance: Scheduling maintenance based on predicted degradation
• Cost-benefit analysis of PHM implementation
• Decision-making for maintenance and repair based on PHM output

Module 14. Regulatory Frameworks, Standards, and Certification

• International Standards: ISO, ASTM, EN standards for NDT and SHM
• Certification programs for NDT personnel (e.g., ASNT, PCN)
• Building codes and bridge design specifications incorporating SHM/NDT
• Quality assurance and quality control in NDT and SHM implementation
• Legal and liability aspects of structural integrity assessment

Module 15. Case Studies and Future Trends in SHM/NDT

• Real-world Applications: Bridges, buildings, aerospace components, wind turbines, pipelines
• Lessons learned from successful SHM/NDT projects
• Emerging Technologies: Nanotechnology for sensors, drone-based inspection, robotic NDT
• Digital Twins and their integration with SHM data
• Future of autonomous inspection and self-healing materials.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.