Dept. of Civil Engineering
Mail: 416 Yates Street
Deliveries: Nedderman Hall 417, 416 Yates Street
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX 76019-0308
Smart Infrastructure and Testing Laboratory
The Smart Infrastructure and Testing Laboratory (SITL) is a multidisciplinary research facility located in the Department of Civil Engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington. The laboratory focuses on sustainable urban infrastructure, structural health monitoring (SHM), and non-destructive testing (NDT) to bridge the gap between theoretical science and practical applications. Research conducted at SITL aids in the development of enhanced methods to effectively identify defects, monitor structural conditions, and characterize materials for critical infrastructure such as bridges, nuclear power plants, and rail structures. The lab is equipped with advanced sensing technology, automated scanning systems, and high-speed data acquisition tools.
Laboratory Head: Suyun Paul Ham, Ph.D.
Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) & Structural Imaging
GSSI BridgeScan™
The GSSI BridgeScan™ is a complete, cart-based Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system designed as a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) tool primarily for assessing the condition and health of concrete bridge decks and other reinforced concrete structures like parking garages and balconies. The system utilizes a SIR 4000 control unit paired with a 1.6 GHz antenna on a survey cart and uses the specialized RADAN® processing software with the BridgeScan module to analyze data. It is used to identify deterioration (based on changes in GPR signal amplitude and depth, which are related to moisture content and conductivity), measure concrete cover depth (for QA on new decks), locate rebar and voids, and determine concrete thickness. The entire process allows users to generate an easily digestible map of deteriorated bridge deck portions.
GSSI SIR-30
The GSSI SIR-30 (Subsurface Interface Radar) is a high-speed, multi-channel Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data acquisition system designed for advanced GPR surveys. It functions as a Windows-based PC and can operate either directly with an external monitor/keyboard or remotely controlled by a separate laptop connected via Ethernet. A key feature is its multi-channel capability, allowing it to simultaneously collect and process data from up to four antennas (or up to eight when two units are synchronized) at a high Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) of up to 800 KHz without a reduction in speed, which enables faster data collection. Data is recorded in a raw, 32-bit format for superior dynamic range and is later processed using the companion RADAN™ 7 software. The SIR-30 supports various collection modes including Time, Distance (using a survey wheel/DMI), and Point mode, and is compatible with GSSI's entire line of GPR antennas.
A1040 MIRA Classic
The A1040 MIRA is a low-frequency ultrasonic tomograph designed for non-destructive inspection of structures made from concrete, reinforced concrete, and stone with one-sided access. It uses a matrix antenna array of 48 low-frequency broadband transducers with dry point contact to create a visual image (tomogram) of the object's cross-section, allowing for the detection of flaws such as cavities, delaminations, cracks, and foreign inclusions. The device has a maximum view depth of 2,500 mm in concrete and 800 mm in reinforced concrete and can estimate the thickness of the concrete cover and the depth of reinforcement layers. The portable, battery-powered unit offers multiple operating modes (REVIEW, MAP, and SETTING) and transfers collected data to an external PC for advanced processing and 3D reconstruction.
A1020 MIRA Lite
The A1020 MIRA Lite Low-Frequency Ultrasonic Tomograph is a portable device designed for the NDT and evaluation of structures made from concrete, reinforced concrete, and stone, where access is limited to one side. This device is intended to rapidly and efficiently survey objects for cavities, channels, reinforcement, laminations, and cracks, as well as perform thickness measurements2. It uses a matrix antenna array of 32 low-frequency broadband transversal transducers that utilize a dry point contact method, meaning no coupling liquid is required for testing. The device is user-friendly, supporting Local (spot check) and Continuous (full area scan for modeling) inspection modes, and displays results as a B-Scan (cross-sectional image) that is generated and processed in real-time by the internal computer using a synthesizing focused aperture procedure. The maximum specified viewing and thickness measurement depth is 800 mm.
Profoscope
The Proceq Profoscope is a handheld, NDT instrument used for locating steel reinforcement bars (rebars) in concrete and accurately measuring the concrete cover depth and estimating the rebar diameter. It operates on the electromagnetic pulse induction principle, generating a magnetic field whose changes due to eddy currents in conductive materials (rebars) are measured to determine location and depth. The device features a Rifle Scope display for precise rebar location and orientation and offers a Neighboring Bar Compensation setting to improve accuracy in congested areas
Ultrasonic and Wave Propagation Testing
45MG Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
45MG Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge is a handheld NDT instrument designed for various thickness-measurement applications on industrial and commercial materials, requiring access to only one side of a part. It operates with both dual element transducers (standard) and optionally single element transducers, capable of measuring material thicknesses from 0.08 mm to 635.0 mm (0.003 in. to 25.0 in.). The 45MG features various measurement modes including Standard, optional Echo-to-Echo (to ignore coatings), and THRU-COAT (to measure both metal and coating thickness) , and can be enhanced with optional software for Waveform (A-scan) display and a Datalogger to store up to 475,000 thickness measurements. The rugged device is designed to meet the IP67 rating and features simple calibration procedures to ensure accurate measurements by adjusting for material sound velocity and transducer zero.
Epoch 600 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector
The EPOCH 600 Ultrasonic Flaw Detector is a portable, digital NDT instrument used for detecting flaws and characterizing discontinuities in industrial materials, such as in welds and pipes. It offers advanced ultrasonic performance with a large 100 dB digital dynamic range and a full VGA transflective color display, capable of high-speed flaw detection with a maximum Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) of 2,000 Hz. The EPOCH 600 includes the Dynamic DAC/TCG software feature as standard, with optional features like DGS/AVG and AWS D1.1/D1.5 available for standardized flaw sizing and evaluation. It includes a data logger capable of storing up to 100,000 IDs and associated waveforms on a microSD card, and is built to be rugged, meeting the IP66 or IP67 environmental rating. It supports connections for transducers, USB, and external display via VGA output.
Pundit Lab
The Pundit Lab is a portable, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) instrument used for non-destructive evaluation of materials like concrete, stone, and rock, complying with several international standards. It operates by measuring the transit time of an ultrasonic pulse between two transducers placed on the surface of a material to calculate the pulse velocity. The instrument supports multiple measurement configurations, including direct, semi-direct, and indirect (surface) arrangements, and is used for various applications such as uniformity assessment, crack depth measurement (using the compound measurement method), and estimating the dynamic elastic modulus. The unit features an OLED display, selectable transducer frequencies (24 kHz to 500 kHz), and connects to a PC via USB for advanced data analysis and waveform viewing using the PunditLink software.
Ultrasonic Preamplifier/Pulse-Receiver
The Panametrics-NDT Ultrasonic Preamplifiers are AC coupled, low-noise units designed to enhance ultrasonic signals for a range of applications, including flaw detection, thickness gauging, and acoustic emission testing. These preamplifiers offer high gain and broad bandwidth (ranging from 500 Hz to greater than 40 MHz) to compensate for the high signal attenuation found in materials like nodular cast iron, thick steel sections, and reinforced composites, or to amplify low-amplitude signals from remotely located sensors.
5077PR Square Wave Pulser/Receiver
Model 5077PR is a laboratory-grade ultrasonic square wave pulser/receiver unit designed to provide versatile, low-cost ultrasonic measurement capabilities when combined with an oscilloscope and appropriate transducers. This compact instrument is a fundamental component for advanced applications such as flaw detection, thickness gauging, sound velocity measurements (for elastic constant computation), and transducer characterization. The pulser generates a high-voltage, adjustable square wave pulse, while the receiver amplifies the returning RF (Radio Frequency) signal, which is then outputted for external display or further processing. It supports pulse-echo (single transducer) and through-transmission (separate transmit/receive transducers) testing modes and features precise control over pulse repetition frequency (PRF), pulser voltage, gain/attenuation (up to 108dB adjustment range), and switchable low/high pass filtering.
Concrete and Material Durability Testing
Schmidt Rebound Hammer
The Schmidt Rebound Hammer is a mechanical NDT device used to quickly ascertain the surface hardness and estimate the compressive strength of materials, primarily concrete, based on the rebound value (R). It operates by deploying an impact plunger against the test surface and measuring the resulting rebound. Testing requires performing multiple impacts (≥ 8), spaced at least 20 mm apart, and the resulting R-values must be converted to an estimated compressive strength using charts and correction factors that account for variables like impact direction, sample shape/size, and carbonation depth.
ai-NDT Auto Impact Hammer
The ai-NDT Auto Impact Hammer is a miniaturized, lightweight, NDT device specifically engineered for use in acoustic resonance testing (ART) and automated total inspection systems. This instrument functions as an automated impact source, allowing researchers to maximize user convenience and significantly improve efficiency by eliminating manual striking procedures during inspection. The auto hammer is an essential component for automated NDT setups, with various models available to match the specific stroke requirements of different materials and experimental methodologies.
WindsoR® Probe Test System
The WindsoR® Probe Test System is an advanced, NDT instrument used for quickly and accurately determining the in-place compressive strength of concrete, including normal and high-performance mixes up to 17,000 psi (110 MPa). It functions by propelling a specially heat-treated steel alloy probe into the concrete using an exactly measured explosive charge, with the resulting penetration depth directly correlating to the concrete's resistance and strength. The system features a new electronic measuring unit (Model NOT WP-725) that automatically averages the three required tests, applies correction factors based on aggregate Moh's hardness, and stores the time-stamped results for PC upload.
Proceq Resipod Concrete Resistivity Meter
The Proceq Resipod Concrete Resistivity Meter is a fully integrated, handheld, NDT instrument designed to accurately measure the electrical surface resistivity (ρ) of concrete, which is crucial for assessing its durability and predicting the likelihood and rate of reinforcing steel corrosion. Operating on the 4-point Wenner probe principle, the device applies current to the outer probes and measures the potential difference between the inner probes to calculate resistivity. The device offers a wide measuring range (0.1 to approx. 1000 kΩcm), rapid results, and is packaged in a robust, IP67-rated waterproof housing suitable for demanding field and laboratory use. It is available with probe spacings such as 38 mm (conforming to the AASHTO T 358 standard for chloride penetration estimation) or 50 mm. The Resipod stores up to 500 measurements in non-volatile memory and uses ResipodLink PC software for data download, analysis, and application of geometric and user-defined correction factors.
Chloride Ion Penetration Meter
The Chloride Ion Penetration Meter is a specialized instrument conforming to standards like ASTM C1202 and AASHTO T277, used to rapidly evaluate the chloride permeability characteristics of concrete. The test involves monitoring the total amount of electrical current passing through concrete core or cylinder specimens over time while a fixed 60 V DC potential difference is maintained across the ends. The total charge passed, measured in Coulombs, is directly related to the concrete's resistance to chloride ion penetration. The unit utilizes an embedded computer for automatic control, data analysis, and report generation, facilitating field detection and achieving high accuracy.
Concrete Freeze-Thaw Chamber
The concrete freeze-thaw chamber is designed to determine the resistance of concrete specimens to repeated cycles of freezing and thawing using the rapid freezing and thawing in water method, conforming to the ASTM C666 Standard. This chamber is highly precise, utilizing both a compressor and a heating device to control the center temperature of the specimen between a high-temperature range of 5 to 18 ± 2 °C and a low-temperature range of – 18 to – 23 °C. The entire freeze-thaw cycle typically lasts between 2.5 to 4 hours, with the thawing time being no less than 1/4 of the freeze-thaw cycle. The apparatus ensures quality control by maintaining a small temperature difference (not exceeding ± 1 °C) across the cabinet, can test specimen sizes of 100 × 100 × 400 mm and digitally displays data curves in real-time, automatically storing test data.
Data Acquisition and High-Speed Signal Processing
PXI Express (PXIe) DAQ System
The NI/Emerson PXI Express (PXIe) System is 24-channel Data Acquisition (DAQ) platform engineered for high-fidelity and synchronized measurement. This modular architecture is managed by the powerful NI PXIe-8821 Embedded Controller, providing integrated computing resources and essential I/O ports for data management. The system achieves its high channel density and performance by integrating three synchronized NI PXIe-5105 modules, each functioning as an 8-channel, 12-bit oscilloscope/digitizer with a 60 MHz bandwidth per channel.
USB-6366 DAQ
The NI USB-6366 is a high-performance, portable Multifunction I/O Device designed for advanced data acquisition tasks. This device connects to a computer via USB for high-throughput data transfer. It features eight differential analog input channels for high-accuracy measurement (16-bit resolution, 2.00 MS/s sampling rate) and 24 digital I/O lines for logic control and triggering applications. The unit also includes two 16-bit analog output channels and four 32-bit counter/timers, all synchronized using NI-STC3 timing technology.
Piezotron Coupler (Type 5114)
The Piezotron Coupler (Type 5114) is a single-channel signal conditioner and power supply essential for interfacing voltage mode piezoelectric sensors, often known as IEPE (Integrated Electronics Piezo-Electric) or Piezotron sensors, with laboratory measuring instruments. The device's core function is to provide the constant current excitation required to power the built-in electronics of these low-impedance sensors and subsequently decouple the DC bias voltage from the resulting low-impedance output signal.
Kistler Piezotron® Coupler Type 5134B
The Kistler Piezotron® Coupler Type 5134B is a high-performance, 4-Channel PiezoSmart® Power Supply/Signal Conditioner that serves as a critical interface for dynamic measurement systems. As a microprocessor-controlled, IEEE 1451.4 (TEDS) compliant device, it reliably provides DC power and signal processing for four channels of Integrated Electronics Piezoelectric (IEPE) sensors. Researchers utilize its flexible features, which include an adjustable gain of 0.5 to 150 and four selectable 4-pole low-pass filters, to precisely condition sensor signals. Furthermore, the unit features excellent - 90 dB channel crosstalk for minimal interference and integrates seamlessly into automated setups via its USB 2.0 interface for remote control and monitoring.
F10A Single Channel High Voltage Linear Amplifier
The F10A Single Channel High Voltage Linear Amplifier is a general-purpose broadband amplifier. This instrument provides ultra-linear amplification with flexible bipolar or unipolar output, achieving up to 1600 Vp-p output voltage. It is capable of a high output current (up to 2 A), high Slew rate (up to 500 V/µs), and a wide Bandwidth (up to 5 MHz).
Tektronix AFG3021B Arbitrary Function Generator
Tektronix AFG3021B Arbitrary/Function Generator (AFG) is a high-performance, single-channel unit capable of producing both standard waveforms (including sine, square, pulse, and noise) and highly complex, user-defined arbitrary waveforms. It offers a 25 MHz sine wave frequency range and a high 250 MS/s arbitrary waveform sample rate with 14-bit vertical resolution for superior signal fidelity. It provides an amplitude output of up to 10 Vp-p into a 50 Ω load, capable of generating a wide library of standard waveforms, plus complex, user-defined arbitrary waveforms. The AFG supports extensive features like Sweep, Burst, and modulation types (AM, FM, PM, FSK, PWM), and includes USB, GPIB, and LAN connectivity.
Utilities, Power, and Environmental Monitoring
Giatec iCOR® Wireless NDT Corrosion Detection
The Giatec iCOR™ is an advanced, connectionless measurement device explicitly designed for the non-destructive assessment of corrosion in reinforced concrete structures. This instrument provides a multi-parameter analysis by simultaneously measuring the corrosion rate (Polarization Resistance of Rebar, Rp), the electrical resistivity of the concrete, and the half-cell potential.
Concrete Vacuum Saturation Machine
The Intelligent Concrete Vacuum Saturation Machine is essential equipment for concrete durability laboratories, primarily used for saturation treatment of concrete test blocks to prepare them for experiments like the chloride ion electric flux and diffusion coefficient tests. Designed with a total stainless-steel cabinet for strong corrosion resistance, the equipment integrates a microprocessor to enable automatic control of the entire saturation process, although it can also be manually set and operated for greater flexibility. The unit can saturate up to 12 test blocks in a single test.
Administration
Melanie Sattler, PhD, PE
Dr. Syed Qasim Endowed Professor and Chair
NH 406
Shih-Ho Chao, PhD, PE
ACPA Tom Wheelan Endowed Professor and Associate Chair for Research and Graduate Studies
NH 407
Arpita Bhatt, PhD
Associate Professor of Instruction, Associate Chair for Student Success
NH 336