RAILWAY
INFRASTRUCTURE
MONITORING
Sercel and AP Sensing are pleased to
announce the launch of a joint innovative
solution for comprehensive railway infra-
structure monitoring. The below ballast
scan (BBS) solution is the result of joint
technical work combining AP Sensing’s
unique distributed acoustic sensing (DAS)
technology and Sercel’s comprehensive
geophysical solution for near-surface
evaluation using DAS data. The joint solu-
tion provides insights to help customers
understand the roadbed and underlying
geology to better manage their geotech-
nical risks.
The BBS monitoring solution provides
critical data needed for safe railway oper-
ations and is an important complement
to existing shallow near-surface inspec-
tion techniques and rail monitoring. The
use of already-existing fiber optic infra-
structure, together with extremely long-
range evaluation capability, makes the
joint solution cost-effective and nonin-
trusive. Assessment of rail track subsur-
face using DAS does not interfere with
traffic and allows monitoring changes in
real time for more predictive planning
of maintenance operations, especially in
areas with complex geological conditions
or high geotechnical risks.
SERCEL
SERCEL.COM
DIGITAL INTERFACE
NODE
Wireless monitoring technology devel-
oper Senceive has revealed the latest in
its range of IoT infrastructure condition
monitoring devices. The Digital Interface
Node allows users to integrate a wide
range of geotechnical, structural, and
environmental sensors into a Senceive
wireless communications platform in order
to benefit from automated data logging
and instant alerts. The new device adds
to the company’s range of rail monitoring
instruments, which detect movement
and changes in the condition of track,
earthworks, and structures. Using wireless
communications, it will help to reduce site
visits and enable continuous data acqui-
sition from places that are hard to reach,
such as bridge joints, slopes, and tunnels.
The device is IP67 rated and built for use
in challenging site conditions.
SENCEIVE
SENCEIVE.COM
UT RAIL FASTENER
HOUSING SOLUTION
Rail fastener housings are vital within
railway lines as they ensure the rail is
strongly secured in place along a route.
MTC developed an ultrasonic inspection
capability to effectively inspect RT60
fastener housings for internal cracking,
which has been validated both in the
laboratory and in on-site trials on live
assets. A custom probe holder was
designed and 3D printed to enable
repeatable and ergonomic access to the
critical areas of the fasteners to facilitate
easy in situ inspection in challenging
rail-side conditions. This cheap and fast
inspection solution has been adopted
by Network Rail and will be introduced
into their routine inspection activities.
Inspection performance established
in laboratory testing was validated via
multiple on-site trials on live Network Rail
assets. The ultrasonic inspection process
is fast and does not require further
specialist training for Network Rail’s
nondestructive testing engineers.
MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
THE-MTC.ORG
CORROSION APP
The Profometer app can now be
connected to two different sensors, and
its mission is simple. For PM8000 Pro and
PM8000: to scan reinforced concrete at
scale to provide a clear image of what
is inside the structure to assess quality
control, durability, and structural resis-
tance of concrete by mapping concrete
cover and rebar diameter. For PM8500:
to measure the corrosion potential using
half-cell technology, providing a clear
overview of the areas that have a high
probability of being corroded, for further
analysis and definition of a repair project.
The Profometer app is a software solu-
tion for inspection services, structural
and civil engineering firms, and contrac-
tors working on durability, corrosion,
and structural resistance assessment of
existing reinforced concrete structures,
or quality control for new constructions.
The seamless integrated workflows bring
productivity in the field and save count-
less office hours.
SCREENING EAGLE
SCREENINGEAGLE.COM
Show us your products! Newly released
equipment, instruments, software, and other
products designed for use in NDT work can
be submitted to press@asnt.org. Submissions
should include a writeup and high-res image.
NEWPRODUCTS
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STANDARDSUPDATE
API RP 572: INSPECTION PRACTICES FOR
PRESSURE VESSELS, 5TH EDITION
Pressure vessels are critical components
in various industries, including petro-
chemical, oil and gas, power gener-
ation, and manufacturing. Inspection
practices for pressure vessels are crucial
due to several reasons, including safety
assurance, compliance with regulations,
prevention of failures, and risk manage-
ment. In addition, proper inspection
and maintenance practices can signifi-
cantly extend the service life of pres-
sure vessels. Detecting and addressing
issues early on can prevent the need for
premature replacement, saving costs and
resources.
The American Petroleum Institute
(API) introduced the 5th edition of
Recommended Practice (RP) 572:
Inspection Practices for Pressure Vessels
on 9 November 2023. This latest edition
complements API 510: Pressure Vessel
Inspection Code, which covers in-service
inspection, rating, repair, and alteration.
RP 572 provides enhanced insights into
the inspection practices applicable to a
range of pressure vessels utilized in the
hydrocarbon and chemical industries.
Expanding upon the principles
outlined in API 510, the 5th edition of
RP 572 offers a comprehensive explora-
tion of pressure vessel design, construc-
tion, inspection planning, frequency,
assessment methods, repair procedures,
and record-keeping protocols. It
underscores the significance of safety
precautions and highlights the limita-
tions associated with various inspection
methods.
In addressing safety concerns, the
latest edition places emphasis on two
primary aspects:
Ñ Safety of personnel in prox-
imity to pressure vessels: Regular
inspections are vital for evaluating
the current state of a vessel and
ensuring ongoing safe operation.
This edition is geared toward mini-
mizing the potential for failures,
ultimately enhancing the safety of
employees.
Ñ Safety of pressure vessel inspec-
tors: Acknowledging the inherent
safety risks involved in the inspec-
tion process, the new edition of
RP 572 furnishes detailed guidance
to enhance inspectors’ exper-
tise and knowledge, with the
ultimate goal of improving their
safety throughout the inspection
procedures.
The 5th edition not only refreshes
fundamental content but also integrates
perspectives on emerging technologies
(for example, it revises annexes related to
exchangers and towers). Additionally, it
introduces new material and adjusts the
organization to be in harmony with other
API standards and recommended prac-
tices. The key focus areas include:
Ñ approaches for determining inspec-
tion frequency and conducting
inspections
Ñ assessment of inspection outcomes,
encompassing fitness-for-service
evaluations and subsequent actions
Ñ methods for repairs and the inspec-
tion of repaired components
Ñ procedures for pressure testing
Ultimately, the document provides
direction on analyzing integrity reports
and adjusts its structure for improved
coherence with RP 574: Inspection
Practices for Piping System Components.
The 5th edition of RP 572 serves as a
cornerstone reference for API’s Individual
Certifications Program (ICP) 510 and API’s
Process Safety Site Assessment Program
(PSSAP®) and constitutes an essential
component of the knowledge base
required by individuals pursuing API 510
certification, particularly those aspiring
to become certified Pressure Vessel
Inspectors.
STANDARDS EDITOR
Hossein Taheri, PhD: Georgia
Southern University, Statesboro, GA
htaheri@georgiasouthern.edu
IN DEVELOPMENT
The following section provides a summary of
new standards, drafts, and revisions that may
be of interest to the nondestructive testing and
evaluation (NDT/E) community. This summary is
provided in Materials Evaluation on a quarterly
basis in January, April, July, and October. For the
latest information, please visit the website of the
standards provider.
PROJECT INITIATION
ANSI procedures require notification by ANSI-
accredited standards developers of the initiation
and scope of activities expected to result in
new or revised American National Standards.
The following is a list of proposed actions and
new standards that have been received recently
from accredited standards developers. To view
information about additional standards for
which a project initiation notification has been
submitted, and to search approved American
National Standards, please visit ansi.org, which
is a database of standards information. Note that
this list is not exhaustive.
Ñ BSR/ASME A13.1-202x, Scheme for the
Identification of Piping Systems. This is a
revision of ANSI/ASME A13.1-2023. ASME
A13.1 establishes a common system to assist in
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