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INSTRUCTOR:  Brian K. Brashaw, Ph.D.

Purpose and Background

This seminar is an intensive overview of wood material evaluation practices and procedures used for assessing the structural condition of existing structures and covers as many aspects of evaluating structures and structural material conditions 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 wood, 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 assessing in-place the structural condition and the presence of deterioration in wood and timber structures.

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

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this seminar, participants will be able to:

• Plan and implement an effective structural evaluation program
• Use Guidelines for Structural Condition Assessment of Existing Buildings, SEI/ASCE 11-99
• Examine the latest destructive and nondestructive investigation techniques for evaluating wood and timber members
• 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
• Interpret and use destructive and nondestructive tests results
• Identify quick and simple evaluation techniques

This seminar will also help you to:

• Plan and conduct a condition survey for wood structures
• Develop a condition survey inspection checklist
• 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
• Assess various types of wood structures including heavy timber, timber bridges, log cabins and other structure types

Day one covers structural condition assessment procedures and evaluation, conducting a survey, wood considerations, including destructive and nondestructive testing, and interpreting test results. Included are video equipment demonstrations and guidelines, and participants will have an opportunity to operate various NDT equipment. Day two focuses on a complete set of wood structure assessment and inspection case studies from a range of structure types. Case studies will provide valuable information on evaluation, inspection, NDT, defects/damage, and best practices.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Attainment of the learning outcomes will be addressed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).

Who Should Attend

This course is for all building industry professionals involved in evaluating wood destructive and nondestructive testing; inspecting; conducting structural condition assessment; repair; and restoration of existing structures. Engineers, architects, designers, contractors, developers, inspectors and other building professionals in both private and public practice will benefit.

Outline

Day 1

• Wood as an Engineering Material
• Wood Inspection Visual and Mechanical Inspections Techniques
• Stress Wave Assessment and Resistance Microdrilling Techniques
• Interpreting and Using Destructive and Nondestructive Test Results
• Wood NDE Equipment Vendors

Day 2

• Planning the Evaluation
• Case Studies including Use and Interpretation of NDT Results
• Heavy Timber Buildings, Bridges, Log Cabins, and Historic Structures
• Decay, fire, and flood damage examples

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs

This online seminar is worth .4 CEUs/4 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test with a passing score of 70% or higher within 30 days of the online seminar.