The project will develop new techniques for inspecting Europe's engineering assets (Pipelines, Rails, Offshore platforms, Cable stayed/suspension bridges and Sheet piled coastal defences, etc.), which are degrading, thus posing risk of failure.

Long Range Ultrasonic Testing (LRUT) is a technology that has been developed in Europe over the past decade and is finding new potential applications throughout the energy, process plant, transport and engineering industries. The objectives of the LRUCM project are to make a number of technological advances that will take the LRUT technology into a new era, whereby the technique will have an increased functional capability in terms of range of test, defect detection capability, defect positioning & sizing capability and a new range of industrial applications.

LRUT in recent developments has used guided ultrasound with ranges of 10m or more. LRUT can solve the otherwise intractable problem of inspecting engineering assets. It has the advantage of full volume coverage and the ability to test long lengths of structure from one point. Inaccessible regions can also be inspected from an accessible location. Potentially defective areas are located accurately in terms of distance from the inspection tool.

Furthermore, the increased technological capabilities of LRUT resulting from this project will provide enhanced opportunities for European SME service NDT and Inspection companies to access this rapidly growing market throughout Europe and the rest of the world. An important part of the project is the development of a training programme for personnel applying the long range ultrasonic tests in the field. This will be delivered to European SME inspection companies through a network of national NDT societies. Further certification, examination and competence criteria will be developed. These measures will quickly enhance the rate of uptake of this testing by owners and operators of structures and plant for the benefit of European industry.