NDT Workshops

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NDT Workshops

Germann Instruments has helped organize many workshops worldwide on NDT and other advanced methods for evaluation of reinforced concrete. The content of these workshops has generally been divided into the following themes:

  • Methods to assess in-place strength
  • Stress-wave methods for flaw detection
  • Methods for assessment of reinforcement corrosion
  • Advanced testing methods

The workshops include presentations on the principles of the methods followed by demonstrations of the apparatus and procedures. For smaller workshops, participants have the opportunity for hands-on activities. Follow the links on the right to view photos of past workshops and an outline of the typical workshop content.

Germann Instruments is dedicated to providing basic knowledge on the principles and capabilities of the various test techniques. Follow-up training is essential for in-depth instructions on how to implement specific test systems and interpret test results.

Alternatively, Germann Instruments can come to your facility and provide training on specific practical applications for your firm, either on-site or in your laboratory. Don’t hesitate to contact us to find an alternative that suits the needs of your company.

About the Instructors

Mr. Claus Germann Petersen founded in 1974 the Germann Instruments companies, and has since been active in the development, marketing and implementation of GI’s test systems for concrete and reinforced concrete structures worldwide.

Andrzej Moczko germann instruments

Dr. Andrzej Moczko holds the title of Associate Professor at Wrocław University of Technology, Institute of Building Engineering. From 1991 to 1992 he was a research fellow of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands. 

Nicholas Carino germann instruments

Dr. Nicholas J. Carino retired from the U. S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2004, after 25 years of service as a research structural engineer. At NIST, his research involved in-place testing of concrete for strength, nondestructive methods for flaw detection in construction materials, and high-performance concrete. 

Typical Workshop Topics

Evaluation of In-Place Strength

  • Testing cores and interpreting results
  • Rebound hammer
  • Pullout test (LOK-TEST and CAPO-Test)
  • Case studies of in-place strength evaluation
  • Pull-off test (BOND TEST)
  • In-place strength demonstrations
  • Maturity method (COMA-Meter)

Stress-Wave Methods

  • Introduction to stress-waves and basic principles
  • Ultrasonic pulse-velocity method (PUNDIT)
  • Impact-echo method (DOC-ter)
  • Impulse-response method (s’MASH)
  • Ultrasonic-echo method (MIRA)
  • Demonstrations of stress-wave test systems
  • Case studies of impact-echo investigations

Reinforcement Location

  • Covermeters based on magnetic reluctance
  • Covermeters based on eddy currents
  • Ground penetrating radar

Evaluation of Reinforcement Corrosion

  • Principles of durable concrete
  • Water penetration (GWT)
  • Basics of reinforcement corrosion
  • Chloride content and carbonation (RCT)
  • Chloride profiles and service life estimation
  • Demonstrations (RCT, Profile Grinder)
  • Half-cell potential, resistivity, and corrosion rate
  • Rapid chloride penetration and conductivity tests
  • Demonstrations (PROOVE’it, Merlin, Galva Pulse)

Advanced Test Methods

  • Concrete rheology
  • Demonstration ICAR Rheometer
  • Air-void analysis (AVA)
  • Autogenous shrinkage (Auto-Shrink)
Highlights of Past Workshops

Concrete Science & Advanced Methods for Evaluation of Concrete -Emphasizing Bridges and Durability Athens, Greece, 2024

Educational Workshop 2024

The workshop focused on advanced test systems for evaluation of concrete structures, with emphasis on deteriorating bridges, and their scientific background.
Demonstrations of the operation of the test systems were carried out with the opportunity for hands-on exercises on a real-size mock-up with in-cast defects located next to the famous multi-span cable-stayed Rio–Antirrio Bridge in the Gulf of Corinth, where a technical visit also took place.

Workshop Topics:

  • Evaluation of in-place concrete strength
  • Flaw detection based on stress waves
  • Location of reinforcement
  • Evaluation of reinforcement corrosion
  • Advanced test methods

Athens, Greece, 2023

The workshop focused on advanced test systems for evaluation of concrete structures, with emphasis on deteriorating bridges, and their scientific background.
Demonstrations of the operation of the test systems were carried out with the opportunity for hands-on exercises on a real-size mock-up with in-cast defects located next to the famous multi-span cable-stayed Rio–Antirrio Bridge in the Gulf of Corinth, where a technical visit also took place.

Workshop Topics:

  • Evaluation of in-place concrete strength
  • Flaw detection based on stress waves
  • Location of reinforcement
  • Evaluation of reinforcement corrosion
  • Advanced test methods
Educational Workshop Germann Instruments

Athens, Greece, 2022
Read the Final Report

2nd International Educational Workshop on CONCRETE SCIENCE & ADVANCED METHODS FOR EVALUATION OF CONCRETE with emphasis on deteriorating bridges

Workshop Topics:

  • Evaluation of in-place concrete strength
  • Flaw detection based on stress waves
  • Location of reinforcement
  • Evaluation of reinforcement corrosion
  • Advanced test methods

Athens, Greece, 2019

This workshop was conducted at the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center organized by Germann Instruments A/S and Geotest SA in the stunning city of Athens, Greece. 35 attendants from 5 different countries were present during the two-day lectures and device demonstrations. The topics covered during the workshop were:

Workshop Topics:

  • Visual inspection using Drones
  • Bridges Inspection using impulse-response ultrasound, impact-echo methods. Special focus on corrosion of strands in cable ducts.
  • Evaluation of in-place concrete strength
  • Flaw detection based on stress waves
  • Location of reinforcement
  • Evaluation of reinforcement corrosion
  • Advanced test methods
Educational Workshop Germann Instruments
Educational Workshop Germann Instruments

Evanston, USA, 2018

This 3-day workshop is intended to enhance understanding of basic concrete science and traditional and advanced methods for evaluation of concrete and concrete structures. The workshop includes lectures and demonstrations covering the full range of systems used worldwide. 

Workshop Topics:

  • Evaluation of in-place concrete strength
  • Flaw detection based on stress waves
  • Location of reinforcement
  • Evaluation of reinforcement corrosion
  • Advanced test methods

Evanston, USA, 2016
Educational Workshop Germann Instruments
Educational Workshop Germann Instruments

Mexico City, 2014

New Delhi, India, 2012
Educational Workshop Germann Instruments
Stress Wave Methodsndt workshops

Copenhagen 2011

This 2-day workshop focused on stress-wave methods:

  • Ultrasonic pulse velocity 
  • Impact-echo (DOCter)
  • Impulse repsonse (s’MASH)
  • Ultrasonic-echo (MIRA Tomographer)

The workshop was held at the Germann Instruments facility in Copenhagen, and included presentations and hands-on demonstrations.

Workshop participants included engineers who were familiar with the stress-wave methods. The workshop presentations covered the underlying principles of the methods and provided guidance on testing procedures and interpretation of results.

Quito, Ecuador, 2011

First International Workshop in the High Andes.

This 3-day workshop was organized in cooperation with Universidad San Francisco de Quito. The first two days included presentations and the third-day was for hands-on demonstrations, which took place at the Germann Instruments Training Facility in nearby Amaguaña.

Over 100 engineers and students attended the first workshop of this kind in the high Andes.

Educational Workshop Germann Instruments
Techniques Evaluation Concrete Structures workshops

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 2011

Three-day workshops were held in Hanoi and in Ho Chi Minh City. The workshops were organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Construction and the Vietnam Concrete Association.

Past Workshops and Exhibitions
  • ACI Convention Fall 2020, Rosemont, IL USA, March 28 – April 1, 2020.
  • World Of Concrete 2020, Las Vegas, NV USA, February 4-7, 2020.
  • Concrete Science & Advanced Methods for Evaluation of Concrete Workshop, Athens, Greece, November 20-22, 2019.
  • 11th NDT Workshop, Germann Instruments, A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark, 6-7 November, 2013.
  • 10th NDT Workshop, Germann Instruments Inc., Chicago, USA,  August 7 to 9th, 2013.
  • 9th NDT Workshop, Germann Instruments Inc., Chicago, USA,  May 15 to 17th, 2013.
  • 8th NDT Workshop, Germann Instruments Inc., Chicago, USA, November 7th-9th, 2012.
  • 7th NDT Workshop, Germann Instruments Inc., Chicago, USA, August 23rd-25th, 2012.
  • 6th NDT Workshop, AE & C – Avantech Engineering Consortium Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India, February 2nd-4th, 2012.
  • 5th NDT Workshop, Germann Instruments A/S and The Danish Construction and Building Institute (DKBI A/S), Copenhagen, Denmark, November 9th-10th, 2011.
  • ACI – Fall 2011 – Bridging Theory and Practice, Millennium Hotel & Duke Energy Center, Cincinnati, OH, October 16th-20th, 2011.
  • American Concrete Institute (ACI), Spring Convention 2011, Mariott Tampa Waterside & Westin Harbour Island, Tampa, FL, USA, April 3rd-7th, 2011.
  • 4th NDT Workshop, American University in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 3rd – 5th, 2011.
  • 3rd NDT Workshop, Vietnam Concrete Association, Hanoi and HoChiMin City, Vietnam, April 18th-23rd, 2011.
  • 2nd NDT Workshop, Universidad San Fransisco, Quito, Ecuador, March 2nd-5th, 2011.
  • 1st NDT Workshop, Germann Instrumets A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark, February 16th-17th, 2011.
  • Transportation Research Board (TRB), 90th Annual Meeting, Mariott Wardman Park, Washington DC, USA, Januar 23rd-25th, 2011.
  • World of Concrete (WOC), Las Vegas Convention Centre, Las Vegas, USA, January 17th-21st, 2011.