99571 - ACOUSTICAL AND ELECTROMAGNETIC NDT METHODS FOR EXAMINING CULTURAL

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will acquire: - basic knowledge of mechanics of rock materials, of wave propagation in solids, of experimental techniques, instrumentation and procedures to apply on-site non destructive methods based on acoustic and electromagnetic waves such as sonics, ultrasound, GPR radar, Infrared Termography.

Course contents

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have an understanding of the approach for diagnose of cultural heritage. Starting with rudiments of visual inspection, following with application methods of portable tools for on-site non-invasive imaging diagnostics, the student will learn the potentialities of various testing methods through review of examples from acoustical and electromagnetic devices such as sonics, ultrasound, GPR radar and infrared thermography.

Please note: not-attending students are asked to contact the teacher via email, AT THE BEGINNING OF SEMESTER or PRIOR TO THE COURSE'S START.

The course delivers interdisciplinary information on the following topics:

- the multi-phase and multi-disciplinary approach and the knowledge acquisition process for a correct and thorough diagnostic evaluation of cultural heritage materials, objects and constructions;

- the advantages of image diagnostics and of combined methodologies;

- the rudiments of visual inspection;

- application methodology of portable non-invasive testing devices for on-site imaging diagnostics via a few acoustical and electromagnetic devices such as sonics, ultrasound, GPR radar and Infrared Thermography;

- review of investigation examples via the above-mentioned methods, at various scales, from natural or artificial heritage materials to construction elements of Cultural Heritage interest. Advantages and limitations of those methods.

Readings/Bibliography

Students' personal notes of lectures' contents will constitute study material. In advance to the course start, students are required to subscribe to the distribution list of the course by contacting the teacher. The distribution list is used by the teacher for communications and for sharing/distributing possible support material. Not-attending students are required to contact the teacher via email BEFORE THE START OF THE COURSE OR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER in order to agree on the study material.

- Giovanni Pascale, Diagnostica a ultrasuoni per l'edilizia: costruzioni civili, beni culturali, Ed. Flaccovio, 2008.

- V.M. Malhotra, N.J. Carino: “Handbook on Nondestructive Testing of Concrete”, CRC Press, USA, 2004.

- M.J. Sansalone, W.B. Street: “Impact-echo”, Bullbrier Press, Ithaca, N.Y., 1997.

Teaching methods

Teaching methods foresee frontal lectures with interactive discussions, support of blackboard as well as powerpoint projections.

It is normally included the handling or demonstration of Non-Destructive-Testing equipment in the classroom and hands-on experiments in small groups. Classroom lectures will be integrated with out-of-the-class study and observation walkabouts. During these visits, students will have the opportunity to use equipment on site. To aid with in-the-classroom activity, simple and quick homework or tutorials may be foreseen, too.

Assessment methods

There will be no interim assessment. The final assessment will be mainly through an oral examination, keeping into account participation and engagement during course activities. The aim of the evaluation is to assess the degree of contents' learning and understanding, the critical and methodological skills and the use of specific technical terminology, as well as clarity of language. Grades will be assigned out of 30thies.

While in-person attendance of lectures  and participation in the various activities is strongly encouraged because it is preparatory to classes and to exam preparation, attendance is not mandatory. However, not attending students are asked to contact the teacher before or at the very beginning of semester/course.

Teaching tools

All lectures will be delivered with the physical presence of the teacher and will be made through use of oral communications, blackboard, powerpoint presentations, videos, tutorials, out-of-the-class and/or in-the-class experimental activities and possible use or demonstration of materials and testing devices.

For the purposes of communications and for sharing possible course material, a distribution list will also be made available (before the start of lectures) to students having the course in their study plan.

Office hours

See the website of Camilla Colla