TY - JOUR A1 - Lay, Vera A1 - Baensch, Franziska A1 - Skłodowska, Anna A1 - Fritsch, Tobias A1 - Stamm, Michael A1 - Prabhakara, Prathik A1 - Johann, Sergej A1 - Sturm, Patrick A1 - Kühne, Hans-Carsten A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Multi–sensory Monitoring and Non–destructive Testing of New Materials for Concrete Engineered Barrier Systems N2 - The crucial part of nuclear waste storage is the construction of sealing structures made of reliable, safe and well–understood materials. We present an extended analysis of long-term multi–sensory monitoring and non–destructive testing (NDT) inspection of two laboratory specimens aiming at potential materials for sealing structures for nuclear waste repositories. Specimens with a volume of 340 litres made from newly developed alkali–activated materials (AAM) and established salt concrete (SC) were analysed using embedded acoustic emission and wireless radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensors, ultrasonic echo imaging, active thermography, and X–ray computed tomography. The monitoring analysis showed lower heat of reaction and 50% less acoustic emission events in AAM compared to SC. However, due to the surface effects of the AAM material, the number of acoustic emission events increased significantly after approximately two months of monitoring. Subsequently performed NDT inspections reliably located embedded sensors and confirmed the absence of major cracks or impurities. The presented laboratory results show the feasibility and potential of comprehensive NDT monitoring and inspection to characterise cementitious and alternative materials as well as the need for multi–parameter long–term monitoring. Thus, our study demonstrates that tailored NDT investigations will help to develop safe sealing structures for nuclear waste repositories. KW - Radioactive waste KW - Barrier KW - Concrete KW - AAM KW - Non-destructive testing PY - 2024 DO - https://doi.org/10.3151/jact.22.516 SN - 1347-3913 VL - 22 IS - 9 SP - 516 EP - 529 PB - Japan Concrete Institute AN - OPUS4-61461 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Maack, Stefan A1 - Küttenbaum, Stefan A1 - Bühling, Benjamin A1 - Borchardt-Giers, Kerstin A1 - Aßmann, Norman A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Low frequency ultrasonic pulse-echo datasets for object detection and thickness measurement in concrete specimens as testing tasks in civil engineering N2 - The dataset contains raw data gathered with the ultrasonic pulse-echo method on concrete specimens. The surfaces of the measuring objects were automatically scanned point by point. Pulse-echo measurements were performed at each of these measuring points. The test specimens represent two typical testing tasks in construction industry: the detection of objects and the determination of dimensions to describe the geometry of components. By automating the measurement process, the different test scenarios are examined with a high repeatability, precision and measuring point density. Longitu- dinal and transversal waves were used and the geometrical aperture of the testing system was varied. The low-frequency probes operate in a range of up to approximately 150 kHz. In addition to the specification of the geometrical dimensions of the individual probes, the directivity pattern and the sound field characteristics are provided. The raw data are stored in a universally readable format. The length of each time signal (A-scan) is two milliseconds and the sampling rate is two mega-samples per second. The provided data can be used for comparative studies in signal analysis, imag- ing and interpretation as well as for evaluation pur- poses in different, practically relevant testing scenarios. KW - Validation KW - Puls-echo method KW - Ultrasonic KW - Non-destructive testing KW - SAFT KW - Reconstruction algorithm PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-575185 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2023.109233 SN - 2352-3409 VL - 48 SP - 1 EP - 16 PB - Elsevier Inc. AN - OPUS4-57518 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Azari, H. A1 - Shams, S. A1 - Köpp, Christian A1 - Timofeev, Juri A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Development of reference specimens for nondestructive evaluation of concrete bridge decks N2 - Decades of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) for the quality assurance of concrete bridges revealed the necessity of developing procedures for building reference specimens for different defects. External objects have been widely used in specimen construction to represent defects. However, embedded materials can alter the actual defect characteristics, interrupting the NDE responses. This study proposes new approaches to fabricating reference specimens for reinforced concrete that feature substantial defects, including cracks, delamination, honeycombing and rebar corrosion, without external objects. As a result, realistic responses can be acquired to identify promising NDE methods for characterising actual deteriorations. The procedures were produced with the intent of being reproducible in any laboratory. Destructive and non-destructive testing methods were performed to verify the effectiveness of the processes in creating defects. This study provides research laboratories with techniques for fabricating reference specimens for characterising defects and assessing the performance of NDE technologies. KW - Concrete structures KW - Reference KW - Specimen KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Laboratory tests PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.1680/jfoen.21.00030 SN - 2043-9911 SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - ICE Publishing AN - OPUS4-56957 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Maack, Stefan A1 - Küttenbaum, Stefan A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Practical procedure for the precise measurement of geometrical tendon positions in concrete with ultrasonic echo N2 - Existing concrete structures were usually designed for lifetimes of several decades. The current and urgently required efforts to increase sustainability and protect the environment will likely result in extended service lives up to 100 years. To achieve such objectives, it is required to assess structures over their entire lifecycles. Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods can reliably support the assessment of existing structures during the construction, operational, and decommissioning phases. One of the most important and safety-relevant components of a prestressed concrete structure are the tendons. NDT methods such as the ultrasonic echo method are suitable for both the detection and the localization of the tendons, i.e., the measurement of their geometrical position inside the component. The uniqueness of structures, concrete heterogeneity, and varying amounts of secondary components such as the reinforcement represent obstacles in the application of these methods in practice. The aim of this contribution is to demonstrate a practicable procedure, that can be used in the field to determine the parameters required for the measuring data analysis without extensive knowledge about the investigated components. For this purpose, a polyamide reference specimen is used to show which steps are required to obtain reliable imaging information on the position of tendons from the measurement data. The procedure is then demonstrated on a concrete test specimen that covers various relevant and practice-oriented test scenarios, such as varying tendon depths and component thicknesses. T2 - International Conference on Concrete Repair, Rehabilitation and Retrofitting (ICCRRR 2022) CY - Cape Town, South Africa DA - 03.10.2022 KW - Validation KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Ultrasonic KW - Reconstruction KW - Concrete KW - Tendon duct PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-559979 DO - https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202236403007 SN - 2261-263X SP - 1 EP - 8 AN - OPUS4-55997 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Maack, Stefan A1 - Küttenbaum, Stefan A1 - Bühling, Benjamin A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Low frequency ultrasonic dataset for pulse echo object detection in an isotropic homogeneous medium as reference for heterogeneous materials in civil engineering N2 - The dataset presented contains ultrasonic data recorded in pulse echo mode. The investigated specimen is made of the isotropic homogeneous material polyamide and has a drill hole of constant diameter running parallel to the surface, which was scanned in a point grid using an automatic scanner system. At each measuring position, a pitch-catch measurement was performed using a sampling rate of 2 MHz. The probes used are arrays consisting of a spatially separated receiving and in-phase transmitting unit. The transmitting and receiving sides each consist of 12 point-shaped single probes. These dry-point contact (DPC) probes operate according to the piezoelectric principle at nominal frequencies of 55 kHz (shear waves) and 100 kHz (longitudinal waves), respectively, and do not require a coupling medium. The measurements are performed with longitudinal (100 kHz) and transverse (55 kHz) waves with different geometric orientations of the probe on the measurement surface. The data presented in the article provide a valid source for evaluating reconstruction algorithms for imaging in the low-frequency ultrasound range. KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Ultrasound KW - Pulse-echo method KW - Reference material KW - Reconstruction algorithm KW - Validation PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-547326 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2022.108235 VL - 42 SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - Elsevier Inc. AN - OPUS4-54732 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fontoura Barroso, Daniel A1 - Epple, Niklas A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - A Portable Low-Cost Ultrasound Measurement Device for Concrete Monitoring N2 - This paper describes a new ultrasonic measuring device called “W-Box”. It was developed based on the requirements of the DFG Forschergruppe (research unit) CoDA for a portable device for monitoring of concrete specimens, models and actual structures using embedded ultrasonic transducers as well as temperature and humidity sensors. The W-Box can send ultrasonic pulses with a variable frequency of 50–100 kHz to one selectable transducer and records signals from up to 75 multiplexed channels with a sample rate of 1 MHz and a resolution of 14 bits. In addition, it measures temperature and humidity with high accuracy, adjustable amplification, restarts automatically after a power failure and can be fully controlled remotely. The measured data are automatically stored locally on-site data quality checks and transferred to remote servers. The comparison of the W-Box with a laboratory setup using commercial devices proves that it is equally reliable and precise, at much lower cost. The W-Box also shows that their measurement capacities, with the used embedded ultrasonic transducers, can reach above 6 m in concrete. KW - Low-cost KW - Coda wave interferometry KW - Ultrasound KW - IoT KW - Non-destructive testing PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-546756 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions6020036 SN - 2411-5134 VL - 6 IS - 2 SP - 1 EP - 17 PB - MDPI CY - Basel, Switzerland AN - OPUS4-54675 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Liao, Chun-Man A1 - Hille, Falk A1 - Fontoura Barroso, Daniel A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst ED - Papadrakakis, M. ED - Fragiadakis, M. T1 - Monitoring of a prestressed bridge model byultrasonic measurement and vibration recordings N2 - The aim of this work is to improve the current structural health monitoring (SHM) methods for civil structures. A field experiment was carried out on a two-span bridge with a built-in un-bonded prestressing system. The bridge is a 24-metre long concrete beam resting on three bear-ings. Cracks were formed subsequently when a prestressing force of 350 kN was changed to 200 kN, so that different structural states could be demonstrated. The structural assessment of this reference bridge was accomplished by the non-destructive testing using ultrasonic devices and vibration measurements. The ultrasonic velocity variations were investigated by using the coda wave interferometry method. The seismic interferometry technique was applied to the vi-bration recordings to reconstruct the wave propagation field in the bridge. This investigation shows that the wave velocity is sensitive to the current structural state and can be considered as the damage indicator. Overall, the implementation of coda cave interferometry and seismic interferometry technique facilitates structural health monitoring (SHM) in civil engineering. T2 - COMPDYN 2021 8th ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering CY - Online meeting DA - 28.06.2021 KW - Structural health monitoring KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Coda wave interferometry KW - Seismic interferometry KW - Ultrasonic measurement KW - Prestress PY - 2021 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - European Community on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences (ECCOMAS) AN - OPUS4-52957 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - News from NDT@BAM N2 - The presentation summarizes some recent research at BAM in the field of NDT in civil engineering. the firste xample decribes lab experiments on the degardation of concrete during tunnel fires. Radar measuremenst were sucessfully used to detect interior damage. The second example decribes the first ever experiment on using muon imaging to evaluate concrete constructions. T2 - TRB 100th Annual Meeting, Subcommittee AKB40(1) CY - Online meeting DA - 05.01.2021 KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Civil engineering KW - Tunnel fire KW - Radar KW - Muon imaging PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-52053 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - RPRT A1 - Wiggenhauser, Herbert A1 - Helmerich, Rosemarie A1 - Krause, Martin A1 - Mielentz, Frank A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Taffe, Alexander A1 - Wilsch, Gerd ED - Naus, D. T1 - Non-destructive Testing of Nuclear Power Plant Concrete Structures State of the Art Report N2 - Nuclear Power Plants have been in operation for ca. 50 years. Based on this experience, non-destructive testing tasks specific to thick and highly reinforced nuclear containment structures have materialized. The performance based Service life extension of existing NPPs also needs a measurement based decision to support continuing the service of the concrete part of the installations. By nature, concrete is a very durable material and any natural Deterioration processes may take a long time to become critical to the structure. The experience of more than 50 years of service limits the testing tasks to a few ones which are not yet solved. Research in NDT of concrete structures is performed by many research institutions all over the world with different technical and systematic approaches. Results are mainly obtained on laboratory specimens, sometimes additional field studies are reported. This research takes place independently without coordination and as a result, the outcomes mostly lack full comparability. Software for data analysis has become indispensable and very powerful. This part of testing needs more attention when it comes to evaluate test results. Validation of NDE solutions is becoming a critical part in concrete structure testing. Validation is by definition the proof that a customer´s requirements in the test are being met by the testing solution. This includes equipment, personnel qualification and data analysis. In the following tables, the research recommendation Validation is used in the sense, that proof of the performance of existing solutions needs to be adressed. In general, a validation methodology for NDE solutions for concrete testing in itself needs to be researched and established. Comparability of research also needs an accepted and easily accessible reference. From experience, it is almost impossible to manufacture exact copies of test specimens at different locations. Round Robin tests are therefore needed to evaluate the performance of a test. Data evaluation is generally done using dedicated software, sometimes Hardware dependant and not interchangeable between systems. Software is ever more increasingly becoming more powerful and sophisticated. An in-depth evaluation needs to address the comparability and validation of Software used for data analysis and evaluation. The vision of a unified software pool for NDE investigations would undoubtedly support research tremendously. Quantitative NDE is mostly recommended to assess the condition of a structure. However, qualitative data can be very useful, especially for processes which change the material properties or deteriorate the structure (e.g. corrosion of reinforcement). The need for reliable baseline data is a key factor for such monitoring tasks. KW - Nuclear structures KW - Non-destructive testing KW - State of the art KW - Research needs PY - 2013 SP - 1 EP - 120 PB - BAM CY - Berlin AN - OPUS4-51049 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Abraham, O. A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Chapeleau, X. A1 - Klikowicz, P. A1 - Brühwiler, E. A1 - Bassil, A. A1 - Wang, Xin A1 - Chakraborty, J. A1 - Bayane, I. A1 - Leduc, D. A1 - Salamak, M. A1 - Katunin, A. A1 - Sørensen, J.D. T1 - Addressing the need to monitor concrete fatigue with nondestructive testing: Results of infrastar European project N2 - Fatigue is one of the most prevalent issues, which directly influences the service life expectancy of concrete structures. Fatigue has been investigated for years for steel structures. However, recent findings suggest that concrete structures may also be significantly subjected to fatigue phenomena that could lead to premature failure of certain structural elements. To date, fatigue of reinforced concrete has been given little focus. Knowledge on the influence factors and durability/capacity effects on this material should be improved. Current technological means to measure fatigue in civil structures like bridges and wind turbines (both onshore and offshore) are outdated, imprecise and inappropriate. Meanwhile, this topic has got much more attention as time-variant loading on concrete structures plays an increasing role, e.g. in bridges with increasing traffic and heavier trucks, and for wind turbines for renewable energy production, e.g. for offshore wind turbine support structures affected by wind and waves. The European Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions project INFRASTAR (Innovation and Networking for Fatigue and Reliability Analysis of Structures - Training for Assessment of Risk) provides research training for 12 PhD students. The project aims to improve knowledge for optimizing the design of new structures as well as for more realistic verification of structural safety and more accurate prediction of the remaining fatigue lifetime of existing concrete structures. First, the INFRASTAR research framework is detailed. Then it will be exemplified through the presentation of the major results of the four PhD students involved in the work package dealing with auscultation and monitoring. This includes the development and improvement of Fiber Optics (FO) and Coda Wave Interferometry (CWI) for crack sizing and imagery, new sensor technologies and integration, information management, monitoring strategy for fatigue damage investigation and lifetime prediction. T2 - SMT and NDT-CE 2018 CY - New Brunswick, NJ, USA DA - 27.08.2018 KW - Concrete KW - Fatigue KW - Crack KW - Monitoring KW - Non-destructive testing PY - 2019 UR - https://asnt.org/smt18papers SN - 978-1-57117-456-7 VL - 11/19 SP - 2 EP - 13 PB - The American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Inc. CY - Columbus, OH, USA AN - OPUS4-47237 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Abraham, O. A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Addressing the need to monitor concrete fatigue with non destructive testing: preliminary results of infrastar European project N2 - Fatigue is one of the most prevalent issues, which directly influences the service life expectancy of concrete structures. Fatigue has been investigated for years for steel structures. However, recent findings suggest that concrete structures may also be significantly subjected to the fatigue phenomena that could lead to premature failure of certainfatigue prone structural elements. To date, fatigue of reinforced concrete has been given little focus. and Kknowledge on the influence factors and durability/capacity effects on this material should be improved. Current technological means to measure fatigue in civil structures like bridges and wind turbines (both onshore and offshore) are outdated, imprecise and inappropriate. Meanwhile, this topic has got much more attention as dynamic loading on concrete structures plays an increasing role, e.g. in bridges with increasing traffic and heavier trucks, in wind energy production due to inherent vibrations e.g. in offshore wind turbine support structures affected by wind and waves. The European Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions project INFRASTAR (Innovation and Networking for Fatigue and Reliability Analysis of Structures - Training for Assessment of Risk) provides research training for 12 PhD students. The project aims to improve knowledge for optimizing the design of new structures as well as for more realistic verification of structural safety and more accurate prediction of the remaining fatigue lifetime of existing structures. First, the INFRASTAR research framework is detailed. Then it will be exemplified through the presentation of the major results of the four PhD students involved in the work package dealing with auscultation and monitoring. This includes the development and improvement of Fiber Optics (FO) and Coda Wave Interferometry (CWI) for crack sizing and imagery, new sensor technologies and integration, information management, monitoring strategy for fatigue damage investigation and lifetime prediction. T2 - ASNT SMT/NDT-CE 2018 CY - New Brunswick, NJ, USA DA - 27.8.2018 KW - Concrete KW - Fatigue KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Reliabiilty PY - 2018 AN - OPUS4-45862 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Progress in using geophysical methods for foundation quality assurance and inspection N2 - Modern geophysical methods might be either directly applied to foundations or integrated into existing testing schemes to assist in quality assurance and inspections. This paper gives an overview on available ideas and some more detailed examples from the author `s work including: - Vibrator technologies to improve pile integrity testing. - Ideas from vertical seismic profiling used in multichannel pile inspection - Cross- and downhole seismics to check the diameter of jet grouting columns - Improving the parallel seismic methods for precise length measurement of piles and foundation walls  Seismic migration methods to improve ultrasonic imaging of foundation slabs  Seismological tools to monitor subtle changes in concrete constructions The author strongly believes that the cooperation between geophysics and civil engineering, which is obviously becoming stronger and stronger, will lead to a large number of innovative approaches for investigations tasks currently still unresolved. A lot of challenges and chances for science and technology are right here. T2 - SAGEEP 2016 CY - Denver, CO, USA DA - 20.03.2016 KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Piles, foundations KW - Slabs KW - Parallel seismic KW - Vibrator KW - Integrity PY - 2016 AN - OPUS4-35706 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - Progress in using geophysical methods in foundation quality assurance and inspection N2 - Modern geophysical methods might be either directly applied to foundations or integrated into existing testing schemes to assist in quality assurance and inspections. This paper gives an overview on available ideas and some more detailed examples from the author `s work including: - Vibrator technologies to improve pile integrity testing. - Ideas from vertical seismic profiling used in multichannel pile inspection - Cross- and downhole seismics to check the diameter of jet grouting columns - Improving the parallel seismic methods for precise length measurement of piles and foundation walls - Seismic migration methods to improve ultrasonic imaging of foundation slabs - Seismological tools to monitor subtle changes in concrete constructions The author strongly believes that the cooperation between geophysics and civil engineering, which is obviously becoming stronger and stronger, will lead to a large number of innovative approaches for investigations tasks currently still unresolved. A lot of challenges and chances for science and technology are right here. T2 - SAGEEP CY - Denver, CO, USA DA - 20.03.2016 KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Piles KW - Foundations KW - Slabs KW - Parallel seismic KW - Vibrator KW - Integrity PY - 2016 SP - paper 45, 1 EP - 7 AN - OPUS4-35704 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wiggenhauser, Herbert A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst T1 - NDT-CE 2015: International symposium non-nestructive testing in civil engineering N2 - The legend continued: The International Symposium NonDestructive Testing in Civil Engineering (NDT-CE) had returned to Berlin. The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) and the Technical University of Berlin (TUB) hosted this prestigious event in the industrial landmark building Peter-Behrens-Halle and the Test Site Technical Safety (TTS) in Horstwalde in September 2015. Almost 300 participants from more than 35 countries gathered to present recent research, exchange knowledge and to lest the newest equipment in NDT-CE. This symposium, held regularly in various locations all over the world, was organized for the third time in Berlin and is by far the largest of its kind. KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Civil engineering KW - Conference PY - 2015 SN - 0934-6554 IS - 3 SP - 53 EP - 54 PB - Deutsche Geophysikalische Gesellschaft CY - Münster AN - OPUS4-35097 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Cotic, Patricia A1 - Jaglicic, Z. A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Stoppel, Markus A1 - Bosiljkov, V. T1 - Image fusion for improved detection of near-surface defects in NDT-CE using unsupervised clustering methods N2 - The capabilities of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods for defect detection in civil engineering are characterized by their different penetration depth, resolution and sensitivity to material properties. Therefore, in many cases multi-sensor NDT has to be performed, producing large data sets that require an efficient data evaluation framework. In this work an image fusion methodology is proposed based on unsupervised clustering methods. Their performance is evaluated on ground penetrating radar and infrared thermography data from laboratory concrete specimens with different simulated near-surface defects. It is shown that clustering could effectively partition the data for further feature level-based data fusion by improving the detectability of defects simulating delamination, voids and localized water. A comparison with supervised symbol level fusion shows that clustering-based fusion outperforms this, especially in situations with very limited knowledge about the material properties and depths of the defects. Additionally, clustering is successfully applied in a case study where a multi-sensor NDT data set was automatically collected by a self-navigating mobile robot system. KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Concrete KW - Defect detection KW - Data fusion KW - Cluster analysis KW - Image fusion KW - Thermography KW - Radar KW - Ultrasonics KW - Defects PY - 2014 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10921-014-0232-1 SN - 0195-9298 SN - 1573-4862 VL - 33 IS - 3 SP - 384 EP - 397 PB - Plenum Press CY - New York, NY AN - OPUS4-33831 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Helmerich, Rosemarie A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Trela, Christiane A1 - Bien, J. A1 - Kaminski, T. A1 - Bernardini´, G. T1 - Multi-tool inspection and numerical of an old masonry arch bridge N2 - Complex special inspection of an old masonry arch bridge according to the Guideline on Inspection and Condition Assessment of Railway Bridges and numerical analysis of the structure are presented. The guideline summarises recommendations for the step-by-step investigation of railway bridges applying enhanced methods developed during the EU-funded project Sustainable Bridges. For the investigation of the arch barrel, the ballast parameters and the inner structure of the backfill behind the arch barrel a number of various advanced non-destructive and minor-destructive testing methods were applied. Deformation of the structure during load tests was measured using three independent measuring systems: laser vibrometer, LVDT and microwave radar. Results of calculations performed with 2D and 3D models based on FEM are compared with the field load tests. Sensitivity of the ultimate load of the structure to investigated parameters is studied in FE model. Some general conclusions according to methods of testing and modelling of masonry arch bridges are presented and discussed. KW - Masonry bridges KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Bridge inspection KW - Finite element method PY - 2012 DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/15732471003645666 SN - 1573-2479 VL - 8 IS - 1 SP - 27 EP - 39 PB - Taylor & Francis CY - London [u.a.] AN - OPUS4-27425 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Helmerich, Rosemarie A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Trela, Christiane A1 - Bien, J. A1 - Kaminski, T. A1 - Bernardini, G. T1 - Multi-tool inspection and numerical analysis of an old masonry arch bridge N2 - Complex special inspection of an old masonry arch bridge according to the Guideline on Inspection and Condition Assessment of Railway Bridges and numerical analysis of the structure are presented. The guideline summarises recommendations for the step-by-step investigation of railway bridges applying enhanced methods developed during the EU-funded project Sustainable Bridges. For the investigation of the arch barrel, the ballast parameters and the inner structure of the backfill behind the arch barrel a number of various advanced non-destructive and minor-destructive testing methods were applied. Deformation of the structure during load tests was measured using three independent measuring systems: laser vibrometer, LVDT and microwave radar. Results of calculations performed with 2D and 3D models based on FEM are compared with the field load tests. Sensitivity of the ultimate load of the structure to investigated parameters is studied in FE model. Some general conclusions according to methods of testing and modelling of masonry arch bridges are presented and discussed. KW - Masonry bridges KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Bridge inspection KW - Finite element method PY - 2010 DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/15732471003645666 SN - 1573-2479 SN - 1744-8980 IS - NSIE_A_465075 SP - 1 EP - 13 PB - Taylor & Francis CY - London AN - OPUS4-22838 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kruschwitz, Sabine A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Trela, Christiane A1 - Wöstmann, Jens T1 - Complex resistivity and radar investigation of building material: First results of field scale measurements N2 - Moisture ingress is one of major damaging factors for masonry buildings. As the complex resistivity (CR) is sensitive to textural properties as well as to the pore fluid chemistry of wet porous media, its non-destructive application can provide helpful information for conservators. In a comprehensive laboratory study it has been shown that CR might even be able to distinguish between salt content and saturation degree in only one measurement. The combined use of electrical and electromagnetic measurement techniques in two field-scale flooding experiments has shown some unexpected differences. Possible reasons are discussed and it is shown that bringing together the information of both methods leads to a clearer picture. KW - Complex resistivity KW - Ground penetrating radar KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Masonry KW - Salt and moisture damage PY - 2010 DO - https://doi.org/10.2478/s11600-009-0019-4 SN - 1895-6572 SN - 1895-7455 VL - 58 IS - 1 SP - 96 EP - 113 PB - Springer CY - Warsaw AN - OPUS4-20575 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Meggyes, Tamás A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Witt, K. J. A1 - Csövári, M. A1 - Kreft-Burman, K. A1 - Engels, J. A1 - McDonald, C. A1 - Roehl, K.E. T1 - Enhancing the safety of tailings management facilities N2 - Unsafe tailings management facilities (TMFs) have caused serious accidents in Europe (e.g., Baia Mare, Romania, in 2000, Aznalcóllar, Spain, in 1998, and Stava, Italy, in 1985), threatening human health/life and the environment. While advanced design, construction and management procedures are available, their implementation requires greater emphasis. An integrated research project funded by the European Union was carried out between 2002 and 2005 with the overall goal of improving the safety of TMFs (Sustainable Improvement in Safety of Tailings Facilities-TAILSAFE, http://www.tailsafe.com/). The objective of TAILSAFE was to develop and apply methods of parameter evaluation and measurement for the assessment and improvement of the safety state of tailings facilities, with particular attention to the stability of tailings dams and slurries, the special risks inherent when such materials include toxic or hazardous wastes, and authorization and management procedures for tailings facilities. Aspects of tailings facilities design, water management and slurry transport, non-destructive and minimally intrusive testing methods, monitoring and the application of sensors, intervention and remediation options were considered in TAILSAFE. A risk reduction framework (the TAILSAFE Parameter Framework) was established to contribute to the avoidance of catastrophic accidents and hazards from tailings facilities. Tailings from the mining and primary processing of metals, minerals and coal were included within the scope of TAILSAFE. The project focused on the avoidance of hazards by developing procedures and methods for investigating and improving the stability of tailings dams and tailings bodies. KW - Mining KW - Extractive industry KW - Tailings KW - Tailings management facility KW - Tailings pond KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Site-investigation KW - Neutron logging KW - Parameter framework PY - 2008 DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/15320380802143922 SN - 1532-0383 SN - 1549-7887 VL - 17 IS - 4 SP - 323 EP - 345 PB - Taylor & Francis CY - Philadelphia, Pa. AN - OPUS4-17918 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - GEN A1 - Kruschwitz, Sabine A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Trela, Christiane A1 - Wöstmann, Jens T1 - Complex resistivity (CR) behavior of building material - first results of field scale measurements T2 - Near Surface 2008 - 14th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics (EAGE) CY - Kraków, Poland DA - 2008-09-15 KW - Building materials KW - Damage KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Complex resistivity PY - 2008 SN - 978-90-73781-56-6 SP - 1 EP - 4 AN - OPUS4-17908 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Helmerich, Rosemarie A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Wiggenhauser, Herbert T1 - Toolbox with Nondestructive Testing Methods for Condition Assessment of Railway Bridges KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Automated scanning KW - Condition assessment KW - Bridge assessment KW - Ultrasonicecho KW - Impulse radar KW - Impact echo PY - 2006 SN - 0361-1981 IS - 1943 SP - 65 EP - 73 PB - National Research Council CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-14293 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Taffe, Alexander T1 - Early stage elastic wave velocity of concrete piles N2 - The low-strain pile integrity testing method is used for quality control of new piles as well as length and integrity check for old piles. If no other methods for calibration are available, the accuracy and reliability of the techniques depend on a good estimation of the elastic wave velocity. In practice it is assumed that piles can be tested 7 days after casting and that the velocity is almost constant in all piles of one kind in a construction project. Recent measurements at the BAM test site in Horstwalde, Germany, showed that the 7 day criterion is not generally applicable. KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Concrete piles KW - Pile integrity testing KW - Foundation PY - 2006 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2006.02.013 SN - 0958-9465 SN - 1873-393X VL - 28 IS - 4 SP - 317 EP - 320 PB - Elsevier CY - Barking, Essex AN - OPUS4-14039 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - GEN A1 - Niederleithinger, Ernst A1 - Helmerich, Rosemarie A1 - Streicher, Doreen ED - Vincentsen, L. T1 - NDT Methods for Condition Assessment of Railway Bridges T2 - International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) Conference on Operation, Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Large Infrastructure Projects, Bridges and Tunnels CY - Copenhagen, Denmark DA - 2006-05-15 KW - Condition assessment KW - Non-destructive testing KW - Automation KW - Method combination PY - 2006 SN - 87-91044-03-0 SP - 1(?) PB - IABSE CY - Zürich AN - OPUS4-14038 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -