Q: What metallurgical tests diagnose fatigue fractures?
A: Scanning electron microscopy of fracture surfaces. Electron backscatter diffraction for crystallography. Residual gas analysis for hydrogen embrittlement. Microhardness mapping of HAZ zones. Corrosion product spectroscopy.
Q: How is welding defect liability determined?
A: High-speed camera review of fabrication records. Chemical analysis of weld metal composition. Replication of procedures in controlled tests. Stress analysis of misaligned connections. Database cross-check of electrode certifications.
Q: What techniques identify corrosion mechanisms?
A: Potentiodynamic polarization testing. Microbial DNA analysis in rust samples. Coating adhesion strength measurement. Cross-sectional microscopy of pit propagation. Computational fluid dynamics of moisture traps.
Q: How is foundation settlement impact quantified?
A: Laser scanning of beam deflection profiles. Soil core analysis beneath footings. Finite element model correlation. Historical satellite InSAR data review. Acoustic emission monitoring during load tests.
Q: What instrumentation monitors real-time structural health?
A: Fiber Bragg grating sensors every 2m. Piezoelectric energy harvesting nodes. Wireless acoustic emission arrays. Corrosion rate monitoring probes. Digital image correlation systems.
