Non-Destructive Testing (M.Sc.)

The micro- and meso-structures of metallic, polymer and composite materials are explained, and the related properties are described. The course delivers a general understanding of metallic, polymeric, and composite materials and the interaction of elastic or electromagnetic waves considered in NDT with the different kinds of materials structure.

The module covers the physical and electrical basics of different measurement technology, techniques and instruments, and the principles of their operation and application. The second part of the module deals with the statistical treatments of measuring results, measuring error, error propagation and reliability.

The module addresses the general understanding of mechanical phenomena to be considered in NDT. This mainly includes the physics of waves in general, sound and vibration based on mechanical waves in the terms of vibration modes, guided waves and acoustic bulk waves as well as the determination of stresses and strains, fatigue and fracture in materials and components. Topics such as damage tolerance design, fatigue, fracture, notches, linear elastic and elastic-plastic material behavior, load sequence analysis and generation, damage accumulation, fatigue life evaluation, crack propagation analysis, multi-axial stress –strain behavior, and much more will be addressed. Hardware aspects will be referred to as well. Students will be able to understand fatigue analysis and evaluation to a level that they are ready to use it along their daily work. It is attempted to generate a broad basic knowledge of the physical fundamentals of the acoustic and electromagnetic methods to be taught in Term 2

The course objective is to repeat the fundamentals and to strengthen the skills in the numerical mathematics as well as to develop fundamental knowledge in signal processing.

The module covers an overview of the different NDT techniques being applied and gives an insight into standardization and certification as well as quality management. The student will understand the fundamentals of the different NDT techniques considered and the role of and need for standardization, certification and quality management processes being involved in NDT as well as the quality management process in general.

The scope of the lectures is to impart complex knowledge about Non Destructive Testing (NDT) of construction elements and materials with the aid of acoustic methods. This also includes to learn, understand and apply advanced methods in ultrasonic testing with special emphasis on phased array and imaging techniques. The lecture contents include ultrasonic excitation, wave propagation in solids, beam focusing and directional intromission of ultrasound and deals with typical principles of ultrasonic transducers and measurement methods. It further includes phased array monitoring techniques including sampling phased array, air coupled ultrasonics, laser ultrasonics, guided waves and various methods of sensor signal imaging. The students are taught to select appropriate measurement methods for practical inspection tasks and design, modify and test adequate measurement set-ups.

The module covers the physical and electrical engineering basics of magnetic, electro magnetic, eddy current and microwave magnetic test methods, including hardware and applications. Structure and mode of action of the different micro-magnetic test systems and their application are covered. After participating in this module, students will be in the position to understand the possible applications of electromagnetic test methods and use those for flaw detection and material characterization.

•  Radiological Basics
• Tomography & Imaging

The module is targeted at the fundamentals of optics and optoelectronics from a theoretical, numerical and experimental point of view. A major focus will be on applications in electronics. Hardware aspects will also be of significance. Students will be able to understand optoelectronics to a level that they are ready to use it along their daily work.

• Thermography
• Microscopy

•  BC-Course 

• Research internship

The module consists of scientific work to be performed at the student’s originating university or upon request by a major research institution such as BAM, Fraunhofer or any others through the lecturers of the course who performed qualified scientific and engineering work with R&D needs in the field of NDT. The topic to be worked on is proposed by the hosting institution and must be approved by the DIU scientific director of the program and must clearly address a scientific challenge in NDT. The topic must be described regarding the title, contents and outcome on no more than two pages clearly addressing the objectives. Results of the master thesis must be summarized in a research report and must be presented in front of an auditorium and an assessment committee at the end of the semester.