Historical buildings or structures are precious to cities and neighborhoods. They are often the reason many people flock to particular areas and enhance the unique vibe of a geographical area. However, these one-of-a-kind structures are often ignored for too long to be properly repaired due to a lack of insight into what repairs the building needs.
Beloved architecture must be preserved, but there is no way to realistically house a bridge or archway within a building. Most typical methods for preserving newly built assets simply won’t work for historical architecture.
But our nation’s most beloved pieces of architecture are certainly not without hope. Like many aspects of the world’s infrastructure, architecture can maintain its structural integrity and artistic beauty through a method of nondestructive testing called ultrasonic nondestructive testing.
Ultrasonic testing is a common method of nondestructive testing that uses ultrasound technology. During the ultrasonic test, ultrasonic waves travel through the asset under inspection to detect a flaw. If the sound waves strike material with a different acoustical impedance, this reflects back at the nondestructive testing technician, indicating the flaw in the component. In addition to the ultrasonic testing report identifying that a flaw is present, it can also provide the necessary information to determine the size, depth, and even the location of the flaw.
Ultrasonic testing is often chosen because it is a precise and consistent method of NDT. Nondestructive testing technicians opt for this particular method because it can reliably yield detailed results upon every inspection.
Ultrasonic testing for architecture can be used for a number of things. Nondestructive testing methods primarily serve to detect flaws and prevent dangerous damage, but when it comes to historic structures, NDT can be even more valuable.
Nondestructive testing methods can be used to determine structural stability, material characterization, and architectural archaeology. Testing for flaws is certainly important; it is our one line of defense against the permanent loss of valuable historical structures, but it is not the only method that can be helpful for preservation.
It is also incredibly valuable to use nondestructive testing methods to determine the history and makeup of historic structures. If a structure has been built within the last century, a skilled technician can easily determine what materials it is made of and the best ways to preserve the structure. In some other cases, however, it takes extensive inspection to determine the architecture’s history and understand the best ways to care for it.
Without this deep understanding of the asset’s composition, you may be at risk for mishandling the piece of architecture and further contributing to its degradation.
In many cases, beloved architecture is a critical component of a local economy as a tourist attraction, as well as a cherished feature of a town’s identity.
Damage or destruction of these vital assets can devastate a community, both economically and in morale. To maintain the strength of your community, it is critical to use the best method for preservation: ultrasonic testing.
Considering the critical importance placed on preserving historical architecture, it is imperative that the technician performing nondestructive testing on the asset is knowledgeable and experienced.
Whether you are looking to hire nondestructive testing services to protect your assets or become a technician through NDT technician training, it is crucial to choose the right company to meet your NDT needs.
TXNDT is a cut above the rest with superior NDT courses, knowledgeable instructors, and hands-on coursework to prepare all prospective technicians for the field. When lives are on the line, choose the best people for the job. Check us out online, or give us a call today at 281-231-0001 to see how TXNDT can work for you!