Methods of nondestructive testing (NDT) are currently being investigated to help safely extend the life and
operation of hydraulic steel structures (HSS). As part of this effort, the ERDC requires experiments using methods
of ultrasonic testing to detect, size, and characterize flaws in welded steel specimens. The information acquired
through these experiments will inform how ultrasonic testing is applied in the future to periodically inspect HSS to
determine their condition and fitness for continued service. These specimens have been fabricated to represent an
array of joints commonly encountered in HSS and contain 15.1 linear feet of weld. Each contains flaws that are also
typical of those that might be found in HSS, including cracks, lack of fusion, incomplete penetration, slag
inclusions, porosity, and laminations. NDT technicians will locate, size, and characterize the flaws in these
specimens.

Contractor shall supply eight (8) Level II nondestructive testing (NDT) technicians to conduct ultrasonic testing of
weld specimens for research purposes. Each technician shall test 21 welds totaling 15.1 linear feet. These welds are
distributed among 20 specimens representing a variety of butt joints, t-joints, and corner joints found in existing
HSS (Exhibit A). Testing will take place at the US Army Corps of Engineers Regional Rivers Repair Fleet (LR3F)
Facility, 2605 Shippingport Drive, Louisville, KY. Testing will take place during business hours (8:00 AM – 5:00
PM) and during consecutive weekdays (Monday – Friday) anytime from Tuesday, January 21, 2025 through Friday,
February 14, 2025. The contractor shall select appropriate dates during this window of time when all eight
technicians can be present at the facility at the same time.

Each Level II NDT technician shall be certified in accordance with either American Society of Nondestructive
Testing (ASNT) Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A or ANSI/ASNT CP-189. Each technician shall possess
verifiable experience conducting ultrasonic NDT of USACE HSS on multiple prior occasions. Each technician shall
provide an ultrasonic testing instrument and shall be fully capable of calibrating and operating that instrument.
During testing, technicians may not share or exchange ultrasonic testing instruments. Each technician shall supply
all other equipment or materials that may be required for ultrasonic testing such as consumables (gel, rags, etc.).

Testing will take place outdoors, on barges, and around water. Contractor shall ensure that each NDT technician is
equipped with the appropriate Occupational and Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved personal
protective equipment (PPE) that is required at marine construction sites, including hard hat, steel-toed boots, a high
visibility safety vest, and eye protection.

To maintain statistical independence of the experimental observations, it is critical that each technician work
independently. Therefore, technicians may not discuss the results of their inspections with one another or otherwise
share information about the specimens during or after the experiment. ERDC will supervise testing of the specimens
to ensure technicians do not share information with one another. Upon the conclusion of each inspection, ERDC will
collect all written notes.

ERDC will stage the 20 steel specimens at twelve or more stations throughout the testing facility. When a technician
completes a station, ERDC will review each technician’s report and resolve any questions or discrepancies with the
technician before the technician will be permitted to move to the next station. ERDC will direct the order in which
each technician tests the specimens.

Technicians who participate in this study will not be associated with individual test results. Results will be reported
in ways that do not reveal the identity of the technician. However, technicians may be identified as study
participants in project reports and other documents.

The contractor shall supply a representative from its organization to be on site at the testing facility. The
representative shall be present for the duration of testing and shall have an appropriate level of authority and
experience to oversee and direct the Level II NDT technicians who are employed by or contracted to their
organization.

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