Non-destructive testing is of great value in cases where a structure's future is investigated to find out what the best measure is. It is not always the best solution to demolish and build new. Many structures can be repaired and function several more years. In this thesis the main goal is to investigate some different non-destructive techniques and learn more about difficulties and strengths. The test subjects will be a cast T-beam in a laboratory environment as well as a case study of a railway bridge in Abisko.   The different testing equipment being used in this thesis is a covermeter, a rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity. For both the T-beam and the bridge the results are overall very good. The covermeter is proven to be both easy to use and very reliable and the ultrasonic pulse velocity was more to learn about and more difficult but is giving very good results as well.   Conclusions after the thesis project is that it requires a lot of experience of the user and time to make non-destructive testing useful and competitive in the society. Getting all the pieces together it is a powerful tool that hopefully is a sustainable asset in the future, regarding both economic and environmental issues.

This master thesis project has been carried out in cooperation with the Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG in Switzerland. The project was part of a bigger predevelopment project for a vortex flow meter in the research and development department of Endress+Hauser. Prowirl (vortex) flow meters are often used for measuring the volume flow in steam applications. This measurement method is based on the phenomena of vortices occurring behind obstacles in a stream which are registered by a sensor. Aim of the project was to develop and test a new vortex flow transducer concept for highest pressure applications (line pressure of 250 bars). Endress+Hauser already had a sensor for such applications which was outdated and not compatible to the newer generation of sensors. Two concepts with and without a temperature sensor option have been generated. The concepts have been modeled and verified via FE-analysis and analytical calculations according to the relevant standards (ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and EN 13445). After the calculations prototypes have been manufactured and tested. The conducted tests matched the simulations well and proved that the concept worked. More detailed tests after this thesis project are necessary to transfer the concept into a final product. However, it has been shown that the new concept has significant advantages over the existing highest pressure sensor. These are a bigger pressure range, the option of integrating a temperature sensor and a cost reduction for the flow meters compared to the existing design. Keywords: Vortex, Flow meter, Sensor, Water hammer / Detta examensprojekt har utförts i samarbete med Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG i Schweiz. Projektet har varit en del av ett större inledande projekt kring en virvelflödesmätare under avdelningen för forskning och utveckling hos Endress+Hauser. Prowirl(virvel)flödesmätare används ofta för mätning av volymflöde i ångapplikationer och tekniken bygger på sensorregistrering av fenomenet virvelbildning som uppstår nedströms hinder i ett flöde. Målet med projektet var att utveckla och testa en ny virvelflödesmätare för högtrycksapplikationer (ledningstryck upp till 250 bar). Sensorn som Endress+Hauser redan hade för sådan applikation var föråldrad och inte kompatibel med nyare generationer av sensorer. Två koncept har tagits fram, ett med och ett utan temperatursensor. Koncepten har modellerats och verifierats genom FEM och analytiska beräkningar enligt relevanta standarder (ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code och EN 13445), efter vilket prototyperna tillverkats och testats. De utförda testerna överensstämde väl med simulationerna och bevisade att koncepten fungerade. Mer utförliga tester efter detta examensprojekt är nödvändigt för att med koncepten som utgångspunkt skapa en klar produkt. Men det har visats att dessa koncept har väsentliga fördelar över den befintliga högtryckssensorn. Bland dem kostnadsreducering, möjlighet för integrering av temperatursensor och breddat tryckspann jämfört mot den existerande designen. Nyckelord: Virvel, Flödesmätare, Sensorer, Vattenslag

Snow is a complex material that is difficult to characterize especially due to its high compressibility and temperature-sensitive nonlinear viscoelasticity. Snow mechanics has been intensively investigated by avalanche and army researchers for decades. However, fewer research studies have been published for compacted snow, commonly defined as snow with a density in the range of 370-560 kg/m3. From a mobility perspective, the tires are the primary point of force and motion generation and their interaction with the terrain causes an increased reliance on the skill of the driver for safer mobility. Thus, standards like ASTM F1805 are implemented for the evaluation of winter tires which can be used in harsh conditions like ice and snow. This work focuses on evaluating the prior efforts performed for the measurement of snow properties. In addition, analysis using regression models and principal component analysis is performed to understand the extent to which specific measurements related to snow affect the traction of the tire. It was found that the compressive and shear properties of snow contribute more than 90% to the variation in the traction coefficient of a tire when evaluated on a compacted snow domain per ASTM F1805. Identification of this phenomenon allowed the enhancement of an existing device that can be used for measuring the compaction and shear properties of snow. The device hence conceptualized was manufactured in-house and tested at the Smithers Winter Test Center to benchmark against existing devices available commercially. Further, a more analytical method for evaluating the resistive pressure for the penetration of the device was formulated. Based on this, a possible framework for the determination of the bevameter parameters using measurements of the new device has been proposed which needs to be validated experimentally and computationally. / Doctor of Philosophy / Winter tires sold in North America require prior evaluation according to a standard namely the ASTM F1805 to bear the 'mountain-snowflake symbol' for severe snow usage. The standard specifies the conditions for evaluating a prototype winter tire and the necessary track preparation methodologies. However, the computational model of a track used for such a certification is not found in the literature causing the manufacturing of such winter tires to be more of a 'trial-and-error' process. The main objective of this investigation is to assess earlier studies of snow characteristics. Additionally, analysis employing regression models and principal component analysis was conducted to comprehend the extent to which particular measurements connected to snow affect the traction of the tire. When tested using an ASTM F1805-compliant compacted snow domain, it was discovered that the compressive and shear properties of snow account for more than 90% of the variation in the traction coefficient of a tire. The discovery of this phenomenon made it possible to improve a tool for assessing the compaction and shear characteristics of snow. The device that was conceptualized was manufactured internally and put to the test at Smithers Winter Test Center to compare it to other devices that were already on the market. Further, a new analytical method for evaluation of the resistive pressure to the device was developed. Using measurements from the new device, a method to utilize the devised output parameters as inputs and for the validation of a computational snow model is proposed.

No description available.

Worldwide water distribution infrastructure system is old and deteriorating. A water system with its myriad appurtenances (including pumps and valves and tanks) is susceptible to hydraulic transients resulting in high and low pressure waves alternatively passing through the network. While both low and high pressure events structurally tax the already weak system, there is copious evidence indicating intrusion of contaminants into the drinking water pipes from the pipe's exterior environment due to low pressure events associated with water hammer phenomenon. These contaminants enter into the drinking water as the home plumbing system is a passive recipient from the water main. While the major (municipal) system is readily recognized as a vast infrastructure system of nearly 1,409,800 km of piping within the United States, the minor (plumbing) system that is at least 5 to 10 times larger is generally not well analyzed. In this study, an experimental plumbing rig was designed and implemented that replicates the range of pressures encountered in actual minor water distribution systems. This research addresses how a pressure transient triggered within a house and from municipal systems can impact the service line with a possible suction effect. Experimental results on low pressure events and the accompanying numerical modeling showed good agreement. The experiment also enabled visualization of the various pressure transient phenomena. It is demonstrated that hydraulic transients triggered from water mains result in low pressures events (up to -10 psig) in service lines which can allow possible intrusion of microbial and chemical contaminants at the service line. Structural integrity of service line and hydraulic integrity at water mains should be maintained to minimize any public health risks. In the USA, about 90% of residential drinking water plumbing systems use copper pipes. Pinhole leaks in copper plumbing pipes have become a nationwide concern because these leaks cause property damage, lower property values, and result in possibility of adversely affecting homeowners' insurance coverage. In addition, resulting mold damage may cause health concerns. This research also addresses the concerns of the affected homeowners by enabling them to decide on whether to continue to repair or replace their plumbing system, the factors to be considered in a replacement decision, and the type of material to use for replacement. Plastic pipes such as PEX (cross-linked polyethylene), CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride), and copper are considered in present analysis. Other alternatives include an epoxy coating technique on the existing piping systems, without the need to tear into walls. Multiple attributes of a plumbing system including cost (material plus labor charges), taste and odor impacts, potential for corrosion, longevity of the pipe system, fire retardance, convenience of installation or replacement, plumber or general contractor's opinions or expertise, and proven record in the market are considered. Attributes and material rankings are formalized within the framework of the preference elicitation tools namely AHP (Analytical Hierarchical Process). Surveys are conducted with selected homeowners in pinhole leak prone area in Southeastern US Community to observe their revealed and stated preferences. Participants' overall preference tradeoffs are reported in addition to comparing their revealed and stated preferences. Health effects, taste and odor of water turned out to be the most important factors from the survey. In real life, however, homeowners were not well aware of these safety issues related with plumbing materials. It is recommended that water professionals should work on bridging the gap between public perception and research results related to major and minor systems. / Ph. D.

Power failure of pumps, sudden valve actions, and the operation of automatic control systems are all capable of generating high pressure waves in domestic water supply systems. These transient conditions resulting in high pressures can cause pipe failures by damaging valves and fittings. In this study, basic equations for solving transient analysis problems are derived using method of characteristics. Two example problems are presented. One, a single pipe system which is solved by developing an excel spreadsheet. Second, a pipe network problem is solved using transient analysis program called TRANSNET. A transient analysis program is developed in Java. This program can handle suddenly-closing valves, gradually-closing valves, pump power failures and sudden demand changes at junctions. A maximum of four pipes can be present at a junction. A pipe network problem is solved using this java program and the results were found to be similar to that obtained from TRANSNET program. The code can be further extended, for example by developing java applets and graphical user interphase to make it more user friendly. A two dimensional (2D) numerical model is developed using MATLAB to analyze gaseous cavitation in a single pipe system. The model is based on mathematical formulations proposed by Cannizzaro and Pezzinga (2005) and Pezzinga (2003). The model considers gaseous cavitation due to both thermic exhange between gas bubbles and surrounding liquid and during the process of gas release. The results from the model show that during transients, there is significant increase in fluid temperature along with high pressures. In literature pipe failures and noise problems in premise plumbing are atributed to gaseous cavitation. / Master of Science

Hand transmitted vibration (HTV) is one of the most common hazards faced by workers in the construction industry. A major source of HTV is hand held percussion tools, such as pneumatically driven chipping hammers and rock drills. This thesis presents a new approach to measuring the vibration from these tools using an experimental hand arm model to which the tools are attached. The experimental hand-arm model has been designed to have similar dynamic characteristics to that of a human hand-arm system. This approach addresses the issue of repeatability as HTV measurements suffer from variability between cases. The measured acceleration of the hand-arm system is in range or close to range of the measured accelerations of the test subjects with superior repeatability. Further, the thesis presents a nonlinear numerical model of a pneumatic impact hammer. Fundamentally, the numerical model was made up of two different sub-models, 1) a fluid flow model and 2) a structural dynamic model. The fluid flow model was based on the equations for mass flow rate of air though a bleed orifice assuming an isentropic process. The second sub-model deals with modeling the structural components of the impact hammer consisting of the major hammer like the center body, handle, piston and chisel as well as the human hand and the ground. Time domain simulations of the hammer were carried out by using a state space formulation to get displacements, velocities and accelerations of the each component as well as the exhaust jet velocities. Experiments were carried out to measure the handle response and exhaust jet velocities as well as pressure profiles. The results obtained from the numerical model were then validated using these experimental results. Finally, a parametric study using the numerical model was carried out to explore different vibration control techniques. / Master of Science

Pneumatic percussion tools are extensively used in the construction industry. They are one of the noisiest machines in the construction industry generating noise levels above 110 dBA which are well beyond the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 85 dBA. This work presents a comprehensive methodology for the acoustic characterization and noise source identification of these percussion tools. The methodology is applied to a representative pneumatic tool and the characterization results are described in detail. A mechanical analysis was performed on a chipping hammer finding mode shapes and natural frequencies of individual components. The mechanical analysis included modal hammer measurements and creating FE models. Fluid measurements were performed on the chipping hammer to find the velocity of the exhaust and pressure in the upper and lower chambers. The fluid tests found that the velocity of the exhaust is approximately Mach 1.0 or greater. Noise measurements were carried out on the chipping hammer to determine the spectral characteristics, overall sound power level, and spatial source strength maps of the tool. A spherical array of microphones was used to obtain an accurate estimate of the overall sound power levels and the directivity. The overall sound power radiation was found to be in the range of 110-115dBA. An advanced 63 microphone phased array was used to successfully locate and identify the major sources of noise from this tool via the use of beam-forming maps. This thesis also presents a preliminary noise control method employing commercial-off-the-shelf pneumatic silencers. The outcome of the tests is illustrated in detail in this thesis. / Master of Science

A theoretical analysis was made of the reflected and transmitted waves which were produced when a water-hammer pressure wave encountered a tee in the pipeline. The analysis included the fact that a hydraulic loss existed across the tee. Relationships were developed for determining the magnitude of the reflected and the transmitted waves. However, these relationships were only suitable for the case of instantaneous valve closure, due to the relative magnitudes of the terms involved. An experimental analysis was made in order to verify the theoretical relationships. However, due to malfunctions of the equipment and the ill designed pipeline configuration, very little of the information that was desired could be obtained. Hence, the theoretical analysis could not be verified. / Master of Science

Studiens syfte är att identifiera en robust ingenjörsmetodik för approximation av sannolikhet och konsekvens (risken) vid vätskeslag i ett specifikt rörsystem. Arbetet har utförts i form av kvalitativa studier med verifierande experiment av analytiska beräkningsresultat.  Studiens resultat, vilka presenteras och diskuteras i slutsatskapitlet, visar på att vätskeslag kan predikteras och därigenom förebyggas med Joukowskys ekvation, vilken formulerades av Johannes von Kries 1883.  I de flesta fall kan ett rörsystems konstruktion optimeras mot oönskade tryckslags-konsekvenser genom omsorgsfullt val av lämpliga rörsystemskomponenter, såsom rördimensioner, ventiler, rörkrökningsradier och rörstödskonstruktioner. / This study’s objective has been to identify and evaluate a robust engineering method for the purpose of approximation and evaluation of a water hammer event in a specific pipe system design.  The study has been conducted in the form of qualitative studies with verifying experiments of the results from various analytical calculations.  The results presented and discussed in the last chapter of the essay, indicates that water hammer can be predicted and prevented by using Joukowsky's equation, formulated Johannes von Kries 1883.  In the most circumstances, pipe systems can be optimized to prevent water hammer consequences by selection of suitable components. Such as tube dimensions, valves, tube bending radius and the tube support design.