Operation of the EPRI Nondestructive Evaluation Center. 1983 annual report

This report describes the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) funded nondestructive evaluation (NDE) project activities carried out by the J.A. Jones Applied Research Company. The primary support for this project is provided through Contract RP 1570-2 with supplementary funding provided by interested EPRI Owners' Groups. The purpose of the project is to design, construct, organize, staff, equip and operate a dedicated facility for providing improved and field qualified NDE equipment, procedures, and personnel training to the electric utility industry. The entire scope of this work is presented with major emphasis placed on the activities in 1983, the second full year of operation in the Nondestructive Evaluation Center facility. The NDE Center is providing a bridge to transfer useful research and development results to routine field application. This is being accomplished through qualification and refinement for field use of equipment and techniques developed in EPRI sponsored and other related projects, realistic training of utility designated personnel and organization of greater involvement of the academic community in NDE education. Significant assistance has been provided to the electric utility industry under this project in the form of improved, field ready NDE equipment and procedures; critically needed documentation on present inspection method capability; mechanismsmore » for demonstrating the effectivenesss of techniques being used; rapid response assistance for critical, short-term problems; and training for generic industry needs.« less