<div><p>MISTRAS Group, Inc. has teamed up with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in an effort to improve state and local bridges in Ohio. Selected steel bridges throughout the state will have critical gusset plate condition testing done with the Pocket UT(TM), the world's first hand-held, batterypowered, C-scan imaging system.</p><p>The Pocket U, when accompanied by an R-scan, uses ultrasonic testing techniques to gather thickness data faster and display a graphical image to show areas of corrosion. The system runs on Windows CE and Pocket UTWin for data acquisition, analysis, and archiving and has the capability to perform A, B, and C-scan imaging. The data, retrieved by the two-pound unit, is stored on a 1-GHz compact flash card that can be easily transferred to a laptop computer.</p><p>Home to more than 42,000 bridges, Ohio requires more inspections on bridges than any other state. Trained bridge inspectors currently use conventional thickness gages to take spot readings of aging and deterioration of key areas like gusset plates in steel bridges.</p><p>With the addition of the Pocket UT to ODOT's bridge inspection and preservation program, inspectors will be able to pinpoint divots and section loss in a fraction of the time taken with typical gages used for bridge inspection. This information is stored on the device as a permanent record for future reference and readings.</p><p>"The Pocket UT is a huge time saver, because not only will it limit the amount of time we have to inconvenience the public with the shutting down of bridges, but it allows us to receive better data, faster," said Michael Loeffler, an inspector for the Ohio DOT. "Also, the less time our inspectors have to spend on a bridge is a safety factor that cannot be measured.."</p><p>MISTRAS Group, Inc. provides nondestructive testing products and services under well-known industry-recognized brand names including CONAM Inspection and Engineering Services Inc., Physical Acoustics Corporation, and Vibra-Metrics as well as regional or product specific brand names.</p><p>Please visit www.mistrasgroup.com for more information on the Pocket UT and other products.</p><p>OUR AUTHORS</p><p>"Engineering and Administrative Noise Controls for the Mining Industry" was coauthored by John P. Seiler and Melinda Pon of the U.S. Department of Labor/Mine Safety and Health Administration.</p><p>With 37 years in the mining industry, Seiler is the chief of the Physical and Toxic Agents Division at MSHA's Safety and Health Technology Center, Pittsburgh, PA. As recognition for his contributions in the areas of health and safety, he received the Secretary of Labor's Distinguished Career Service Award, and other agency awards. In his capacity as the former chair of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Committee Sl, Acoustics, he has had an impact in the acoustical instrument standardization process - an achievement that was recognized when he was elected a fellow by the Acoustical Society of America. He earned his B. S. degree at the Pennsylvania State University and his M.S. degree at the University of Pittsburgh</p><p>Pon is currently special assistant to the coal administrator for MSHA serving as advisor for policy, planning and programs for coal mine safety and health. She joined MSHA in 2002 as chief of the Coal Health Division and has received multiple Secretary of Labor's Exceptional Achievement Awards in recognition of her contributions to agency efforts. Prior to joining MHSA, she also held management positions in occupational and environmental health and external affairs. She holds an M.S. degree in public health from the University of California, Berkeley and a B. S. degree in biological science from Holy Names College, Oakland, CA.</p><p>"Propagation Modeling Parameters for Wind Power Projects" was coauthored by Kenneth Kaliski and Eddie Duncan of Resource Systems Group, Inc., a consulting firm with headquarters in White River Junction, VT, and offices in Chicago, IL, Burlington, VT, and Nashua, NH.</p><p>Kaliski is board certified through the Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE), is a licensed professional engineer, and holds memberships in the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and the Institute of Professional Environmental Practice. He directs RSG's Environmental Services Division, where he works on projects involving noise control, transportation and air pollution. He holds a B. E. degree through Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering.</p><p>Duncan is an associate at RSG and has an engineering sciences degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. While at RPI, he focused his studies in acoustics. He has extensive experience in computer modeling of environmental noise and has conducted noise analysis for many different types of projects, some of which include highways, quarries, commercial developments, residences, and utilities.</p><p>© 2008 Acoustical Publications, Inc. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=41284899&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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