Nondestructive Evaluation Methods for Historic Structures

Overview

APT and NCPTT partnered to present nondestructive evaluation methods for historic structures. The workshop provided guidance for professionals and students in the use of diagnostic nondestructive testing for historic structures. It was
intended for technically oriented graduate and practicing engineers, architects, preservation consultants, and contractors who are not familiar with this subject area.

Content

The first day dealt with the concepts, theory and approaches to diagnosis in historic structures, using nondestructive testing methods. It included an overview of applicable technical standards and guidelines relating to diagnosis and testing of historic structures, and discussed applicability and the appropriateness of existing standards, and the role of engineering judgment.

The second day consisted of field sessions demonstrating diagnostic test methods on actual structures. The test methods included ground-penetrating radar, in-place tests of masonry, infrared thermography, resistance drilling of timber and digital radioscopy. Simpler diagnostic tools were also available, such as moisture meters and rebound hammers. Stations were set-up for hands-on application at selected buildings. The field sessions were set up to allow groups of attendees to rotate between stations. The attendees were encouraged to make observations and discuss the condition of the buildings, alternative diagnoses, and the meaning of the test results.

Instructors

Ronald Anthony, Anthony & Associates, Inc., Fort Collins, Colorado
Mr. Ron Anthony is Wood Scientist for Anthony & Associates, Inc. His consulting activities focus on application of innovative inspection technologies for assessment of timber structures and forensic investigations on wood-related failures. Mr. Anthony is the 2002 recipient of the James Marston Fitch Foundation Grant for his approach to evaluating wood in historic buildings.

Patrick Sparks, P.E., Sparks Engineering, Inc., Austin, Texas
Mr. Sparks is a consulting engineer specializing in the investigation and repair of existing structures. Mr. Sparks is a regular guest lecturer in preservation technology at Texas A&M University, and he has served on the board of directors of the Association for Preservation Technology.

Johnathan Spodek, AIA, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
Mr. Spodek is an architect and a faculty member at the College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University and a member of the NCPTT Preservation Technology and Training Board. His teaching and research specialty areas are preservation technology and building assessment. Mr. Spodek also maintains a limited architectural practice focusing on building evaluation and restoration.

David B. Woodham, P.E., Atkinson-Noland & Associates, Inc., Boulder, Colorado
Mr. Woodham is a consulting engineer and vice-president of Atkinson-Noland & Associates. He has published more than 40 papers related to evaluation of masonry structures, the instrumentatoin, structural behavior, and corrosion detection. David specializes in the applicatoin of nondestructive evaluation of structures and the use of NDE techniques in historic buildings.

APT is an accredited AIA education provider and attendance at APT workshops can fulfill professional education requirements for architects, engineers, and preservation trades people. APT workshops will provide 1 hour of continuing education or professional development credit for each hour of the workshop.