Instructors

Larry D. Olson, P.E.
He is President of Olson Engineering. He has a broad range of expertise in the areas of geotechnical and materials engineering with specialization in nondestructive testing and evaluation of buildings and infrastructure. Since cofounding Olson Engineering, Inc. in April 1985, he has been actively involved in the management and performance of nondestructive testing and evaluation, forensic, vibration and geophysical engineering, and applied research and development projects.

 Mr. Olson has conducted investigations to determine the conditions of such concrete-based facilities as bridges, slabs and pavements, nuclear reactors, buildings, deep foundations, dams and tunnels. He has also performed nondestructive testing of wood and steel pile foundations, masonry structures and steel columns for integrity evaluations. He is active in ACI Committees and is the Chairman of the Evaluation committee of International Concrete Repair Institute. Mr.Olson has over 30 technical publications and has been the Principal Investigator on a number of research projects involving nondestructive testing of infrastructure.

Zhiyon Cai, Ph.D.,P.E.,
Dr. Cai is a Materials Research Engineer in the research unit of Engineering Wood Composite at USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI. Prior to this, he was an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University, teaching Wood Structural Design and Application of Wood Product. His research interests are mainly in the area of performance and improvement of building wood products. Dr. Cai has also worked on various projects related to nondestructive evaluation of wood products and wood structures since 1990. He has published numerous research papers, directly related to NDE of wood products and wood structures.

Gregory Fehr, P.E., S
Mr. Fehr, Principal Engineer at Parsons, Las Vegas, NV is a metallurgical and mechanical engineer with training in nondestructive testing and structural steel welded and bolted connections. For over 30 years, he has performed failure analyses and metallurgical testing on structures, pipes, valves, pumps, and fittings. As a certified NACE Corrosion Technologist and Cathodic Protection Specialist, Mr. Fehr has extensive experience in corrosion analysis and mitigation. Mr. Fehr is also a NAARSO Certified Amusement Ride Inspector. He has participated in Task Groups for ASTM, ASNT, API, EPRI, NACE, has been published in Electrical World, ASME Proceedings, and others, and has been a Level III trainer for NDT courses.

Robert J. Ross, Ph.D.
He is the Project Leader of the Wood Engineering and Drying Systems research efforts at USDA Forest Service Products Laboratory (FPL), Madison, WI. He has served as head of FPL Physical and Mechanical Testing Unit overseeing mechanical testing programs for wood-based materials and structural components. Currently, his research focuses on the development and use of nondestructive evaluation technologies for various wood products and structures. Dr. Ross has worked on various NDE related projects including the in-place assessment of members on the USS Constitution. He has written or co-authored over 100 technical reports/articles about nondestructive testing, and jointly holds 12 patents in the nondestructive testing area.

Brian K. Brashaw
He is a Director of the Wood Materials and Engineering Program with the University of Minnesota Duluth, Natural Resources Research Institute. He is a Project Leader of the NDE research efforts at the Natural Resources Research Institute and is a coordinator of the NRRI Physical and Mechanical Testing Laboratory. He has developed and conducted projects with wood materials emphasizing applied product development and technology transfer.

Mr. Brashaw also has performed nondestructive evaluation and destructive testing of composite materials and structural components for building code approval, and analyzed experimental results. His current NDE research focus areas include: NDE technology assessment and implementation for logs, lumber, panel and end products; development of hardwood structural products (l-joists and trusses and performance testing); participation in ASTM D-7 Wood standards development for NDE of wood products; and technical assistance for all wood products manufacturing.

Xiping Wang, PH.D.
He is a research scientist of the Structural Condition Assessment and Rehabilitation Research Unit at USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin and a research associate of the NDE research efforts at the University of Minnesota Duluth Natural Resources Research Institute. His research activities focus on nondestructive evaluation of wood and wood-based materials, NDE of wood structural members/systems. He has worked on various structure inspection projects including in-place assessment of the key structural members on the National Historic Landmark C.A. Thayer. He is the author and co-author of more than 40 refereed scientific articles and is a reviewer of manuscripts for publication in several peer reviewed journals

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Course Description

This seminar is an intensive overview of material evaluation practices and procedures used for assessing the structural condition of existing structures and covers as many aspects of evaluating structures as possible. State-of-the-art information on visual inspections, destructive and nondestructive testing (NDT), and the hands-on experience provided in this seminar, are essential for those involved in evaluating concrete, masonry, wood, and metal structures.

After a brief review of structural condition assessment procedures and guidelines, the seminar will cover condition surveys, planning a materials evaluation, destructive and nondestructive testing, limitations of NDT testing, statistical evaluation of test data, and interpretation and use of test results. Nondestructive testing techniques for establishing in-place material properties for concrete, masonry, wood, and metals are a primary focus.

The hands-on workshop and case studies will enhance understanding of condition survey and inspection procedures, and destructive and nondestructive testing techniques.

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Seminar Benefits

• Learn how to plan and implement an effective structural evaluation program
• Learn how to use Guidelines for Structural Condition Assessment of Existing Buildings, SEI/ASCE 11-99
• Examine the latest destructive and nondestructive investigation techniques for evaluating concrete, masonry, wood, and metals
• Identify the pros and cons of common destructive and nondestructive testing techniques and find out how to select the best techniques to suit your projects
• Understand how to interpret and use destructive and nondestructive tests results
• Get quick and simple evaluation techniques

This seminar will help you to:

• Plan and conduct a condition survey for concrete, masonry, wood, and metal structures
• Develop a condition survey inspection checklist
• Design a materials evaluation program for your structural condition assessment projects
• Select the best destructive and nondestructive testing techniques for your projects
• Identify the limitations of various nondestructive testing techniques
• Diagnose problems and assess strengths and weaknesses of structural materials
• Evaluate test data statistically

Day one covers structural condition assessment procedures and evaluation, conducting a survey, concrete and masonry considerations, including destructive and nondestructive testing, corrosion, and interpreting test results. Included are hands-on NDT workshops, and participants will have an opportunity to operate various NDT equipment. Day two focuses on wood and metal structures with regard to evaluation, inspection, NDT, defects/damage, connections, and includes case studies.

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Special Features

Each participant will receive:

• Guidelines for Structural Condition Assessment of Existing Buildings, SEI/ASCE 11-99
• Workbook with course notes and carefully selected references addressing many aspects of structural condition assessments
• Each participant will have an opportunity to operate various NDT equipment in the hands-on NDT workshops for concrete

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Who Should Attend

This seminar is intended for:

• All building industry professionals involved in
• Evaluating concrete
• Masonry
• Wood and steel
• Destructive and nondestructive testing
• Inspecting
• Conducting structural condition assessment
• Repair
• Restoration of existing structures
• Engineers
• Architects
• Designers
• Contractors
• Developers
• Inspectors and other building professionals in both private and public practice

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Summary Outline

Day One

• Structural Condition Assessment Procedure
• Conducting a Condition Survey
• Planning the Evaluation
• Statistical Procedures
• Destructive and Nondestructive Testing for Concrete and Masonry
• Pros and Cons of Nondestructive Testing
• Establishing Strength and Quality of In-Place Concrete and Masonry
• Evaluating Cracks in Concrete and Masonry
• Analyzing Wet Masonry Walls
• Evaluating Corrosion
• Interpreting and Using Destructive and Nondestructive Test Results

Day Two

• Conducting Condition Surveys of Wood and Metal Structures
• In-Place Evaluation of Wood-Based Materials and Metals
• Planning the Evaluation
• Inspection Procedures
• Destructive and Nondestructive Testing of Wood-Based Materials and Metals
• Establishing In-Place Strengths for Wood and Metals
• Understanding the Limitations of Nondestructive Testing
• Investigating Defects and Damage
• Evaluating Wood and Steel Connections
• Case Studies
• Interpretation and Use of NDT Results
• Wood NDE Equipment Vendors

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Attendees’ Comments

“The seminar provided good coverage of topics interspersed with real world examples.”
-Ronald Fiore, Metcalf & Eddy, Inc., Wakefield, MA

“Great presentation and excellent reference material provided.”
-Thomas Vaughan, GSC Engineering, Stoughton, MA

"The level of complexity was just right for both engineers who had prior knowledge & experience and those who are recently introduced to the subject matter."
Edward Barbiero, New York Power Authority, Lewiston, NY

“Instructors demonstrated total mastery over the subject and ability to convey their knowledge. Clear and tightly organized presentation infused with just the right amount of humor. Very educational and entertaining presentation.”
-William F. Phaup, Designer, Keymark Enterprises, Boulder, CO

"The speakers were excellent. The case study they presented made the material very clear and easy to understand."
Ashley T. Sears, AFJMC, Shreveport, LA

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