Recent trends in nondestructive inspections in state highway agencies: can engineering education respond?

Kevin L. Rens; David J. Transue; Albert Knott

doi:10.1117/12.300077

31 March 1998 Recent trends in nondestructive inspections in state highway agencies: can engineering education respond?

Kevin L. Rens, David J. Transue, Albert Knott

Proceedings Volume 3400, Structural Materials Technology III: An NDT Conference; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.300077
Event: Non-Destructive Evaluation Techniques for Aging Infrastructure and Manufacturing, 1998, San Antonio, TX, United States

Abstract

This paper presents how one university is addressing the problems of our deteriorating and failing infrastructure. Results of two recent questionnaires reveal that State Highway Agencies are beginning to shift their priorities to emphasize inspection and rating of infrastructure. While both public and private practices are responding, education as a whole tends to remain fixed to traditional analysis and design courses. While traditional courses are essential, new trends must be periodically injected into the curriculum. This paper will show the efforts of the Denver campus of the University of Colorado to educate both undergraduate and graduate engineers in these non-traditional aspects of Civil Engineering. The 3- credit course titled Condition Assessment and Failure Analysis of Civil/Mechanical Infrastructure included such topics as nondestructive evaluation (NDE), lock and dam inspections, bridge maintenance and inspection, structural failure analysis, vehicle accident reconstruction, engineering ethics, and the law. The design of new structures is being overshadowed by the need to maintain and rehabilitate existing structures. In addition, valuable educational material is found in our record of past engineering failures. It is hoped that by publishing information on this course other higher learning institutions will be encouraged to educate students as to the trends that are occurring in practice.

Citation Download Citation

Kevin L. Rens, David J. Transue, and Albert Knott "Recent trends in nondestructive inspections in state highway agencies: can engineering education respond?", Proc. SPIE 3400, Structural Materials Technology III: An NDT Conference, (31 March 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.300077

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available