Laboratory and Field Testing of Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) Systems for Steel Highway Bridges

9902682522005Washer, GlennPDFTech ReportFHWA\u2013HRT\u201304\u2013124HRDI-10/04-05(WEB)EDTFH61\u201302\u2013C\u201300045Nondestructive testsUltrasonic testsSteel bridgesButt jointsButt weldsUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Infrastructure Research and DevelopmentRezaizadeh, AliMoore, Mark D.Green, TravisWasher, Glenn A.Wiss, Janney, Elstner, and AssociatesUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Infrastructure Research and DevelopmentTurner-Fairbank Highway Research CenterFederal Highway AdministrationFabrication inspection of welds is necessary to ensure the quality of workmanship during the fabrication process. The implementation of automated ultrasonic testing (AUT) methods for inspecting butt welds in steel bridge fabrication is the subject of this report. The primary goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of AUT as a replacement for radiographic testing (RT) for fabrication inspection of welds in steel highway bridges. The AUT results will be compared to RT results. The advantages of implementing AUT as compared to RT for inspecting butt welds in fabrication plants will be addressed. The study consists of laboratory testing to assess the viability of the AUT system under a controlled laboratory environment and field testing at fabrication plants, during the routine fabrication process, to assess the performance and practicality of the AUT technique and system for use in the fabrication shop environment. AUT, manual ultrasonic testing (UT), and RT systems are employed side by side for fabrication inspection of welds during field testing