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DEVELOPING PROGRAM AND TRAINING MATERIALS FOR VISUAL

TESTING METHOD

Dang Thi Thu Hong, Dao Duy Dung, Le Tuan Anh, Le Duc Thinh, Nguyen The Man,
Nguyen Van Duy and Ha Thi Hong Thu
Center for Non-Destructive Evaluation, 140 Nguyen Tuan, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi

Project information:
- Code: CS/16/09-01
- Managerial Level: Institute
- Allocated Fund: 80,000,000 VND
- Implementation time: 12 months (Jan 2016- Dec 2016)
- Contact email: dangthuhong76@gmail.com, daotao.nde@gmail.com
- Paper published in related to the project: (None)

Abstract: Visual testing (VT) is recognized as the most common and effective method among
various non-destructive testing (NDT) ones. With the capability of detecting surface defects and
conditions, verifying the integrity of items in various materials, VT is widely used to examina the
quality of products, equipments in many industries. Through implement of the project, research group
have made recommended programs for personnel training on visual testing method. The program is
based on and complies with requirements of international standards such as IAEA Techdoc 628, ISO
9712, SNT-TC-1A. The program also includes a lot of training materials as the set of presentations,
the bank of questions and answers, the notesbook for student, criteria for grading qualification
examinations that focus on welding process. Project‘s results are demonstrated by effective
applications of the program for a nummber of manufacturers in industries such as Phu My Fertilizer,
Fomosa Steel Coperation, Peb Steel Company, etc.
Keywords: Visual testing (VT), NDT, training program, training materials.

1. INTRODUCTION
Visual testing (VT) is the most common and effective examination method that is employed
in many quality assurance programs in industry. Up to now in Vietnam, due to historical conditions,
there are still no standardized Vietnamese VT documents used for NDT quality assurance as well as
weld quality monitoring. Therefore, we are using most of foreign materials and most VT personnel
training and qualification are conducted by foreign organizations.
Moreover, Vietnamese candidates are often lack of adequate skill and experience for
qualification in according to international programs. Hence, establishing of training program and
training materials which is suitable for conditions in Vietnam and to meet international standards is
needful.
NDE Center is the organization in NDT technology transfer and NDT training consultation
with operation ranged over the country. By experiences, we recognize that it is essential to develop
and standardize a Personnel Training and Qualification Program that is suitable Vietnamese
candidates in VT method.
By the 2010’s years, the Center has conducted some training courses on Visual Testing of
Welds in accordance with international programs for industrial manufacturers in power generation,
shipbuilding, petroleum, such as UBI Tower Company, Tien Giang PV Steel Pipe Corporation,

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Dung Quat Shipyard. Beside active reflection from partners, Center has accumulated the initial
experiences.
Accordingly, the research group has submitted the proposal and obtained the approval to
implement the project "Developing the program and training materials for Visual Testing method”.
The project’s overarching goal is to build up a training program which unifies presentations,
references and criteria for evaluating candidates’ qualification, ensures integrating human
knowledge and the practical needs and requirements in Vietnam. Thus, the research findings are
expected to meet the demands of a large number of VT technicians in the various industries.
NDT applications in the world as well as in Vietnam show that VT is most commonly
employed, with full extent inspection on critical items in industries. It’s well known that, human
factors always play a essential role to control quality of any activity, especially in the NDT
inspection. Those who conduct VT inspection must be trained, qualified and certified according to
an appropriate program.

2. MAIN WORKS
The research group have systematically conducted the surveys and evaluation of the situation
and need on training and cetification of applicant for VT methods. The works are performed by
information collection and analysis from a number typical industrial facilities, such as Power
Generator Corporation EVNGENCO 3; AES Mong Duong 2 Power Company, Formosa Ha Tinh
Steel Company, Phu My Fertilizer Plant, PEB Steel Buildings Co.Ltd., IDICO Machinery Erection
Construction Investment JSC.
Various reputable sources of relevant programs and materials from IAEA, ISO, ASNT are
referenced to develop the VT training program, including topical outlines, presentations, the
question banks, criteria for grading examinations (level I and II).
The resulted program firstly is applied for the staff of NDE Centre and then for some
industrial facilities, such as Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Company, Phu My Fertilizer Plant, PEB Steel
Buildings Co.Ltd., Zamil Steel Buildings Vietnam Co., Ltd, IDICO Machinery Erection
Construction Investment JSC. The active reflection from the partners demontrates effectiveness and
reliability of the program.

3. RESULTS
3.1 Training programs for VT Level I & Level II
Table 1: Visual Testing Level I Topical Outline
Hours of training
Contents
Hours Note
1. General knowledge 4
2. Fundamentals 2
3. Visual perception 2
4. Equipments 8
5. Parameters and examination conditions 2
6. Image recording methods 2

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7. Codes, standards, procedures 1

8. Safety and health 1
9. Applications 4
Total 26

Table 2: Visual Testing Level II Topical Outline

Hours of training
Contents
Hours Note
10. General knowledge 8
11. Fundamentals 4
12. Visual perception 2
13. Equipments 12
14. Parameters and examination conditions 4
15. Image recording methods 5
16. Codes, standards, procedures 3
17. Safety and health 1
18. Applications 4
Total 43

3.2 Training Materials

- Visual Testing training notesbooks (presented by documents, including 9 chapters)

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- Visual Testing Method lectures (presented by slides, including 3 part: Part I – Introduction;
Part II – Equipments; Part III – Standards)

3.3 Review question bank and exams

- Question bank:
General: 200 questions
Specific: 262 questions according to ASME, AWS
D1.1...
- Exams: General (4); Specific (4)
- Practice sample (10 samples); exam sample (10)

3.4 Examinations
 Entry test is conducted as the pre-requisite before the beginning of the training
programmes for all participants.

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 Evaluation criteria are developed in compliance with the proficiency levels: Level I and
Level II, including three tests:
- General
- Specific
- Practical
Examinations administered by the employer for qualification should result in a passing
composite grade of at least 80 percent, with no individual examination having a passing grade less
than 70 percent.
3.5 Training courses

No. Organization Training Period

1. Formosa Hatinh Steel Corporation 1/2016
2. PEB Steel Building Co., Ltd 7-8/2016
3. Lama Idico 11/2016
4. Apave Da Nang 11/2016
5. NDE Center 8/2016

4. CONCLUSION
Throughout the implementation of the project, the research group has achieved certain
findings as follows:
1. Develop training programs and materials for VT technicians in accordance with the
requirements of Vietnam, IAEA and ASNT SNT-TC-1A
2. Develop criteria for evaluating the theory and practice of level I, II
3. Apply successfully the research products for the units in the industrial sector

Figure 1: Visual Testing Certificate

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With the results above, the project " DEVELOP PROGRAM & TRAINING MATERIALS
FOR VISUAL TESTING METHOD" has successfully obtained and experimental results are
encouraging. And with this idea, the researchers at the Center for Non-Destructive Evaluation NDE
will continue to improve to products could be applications into practical in highly efficient.
With the results above, the project " DEVELOP PROGRAM & TRAINING MATERIALS
FOR VISUAL TESTING METHOD" has successfully obtained and experimental results are
encouraging. And with this idea, the NDE Center‘s researchers will continue to improve products
so that they could be applied more effectively.

REFERENCES
[1] ISO 9712:2012 Non-destructive testing- Qualification and certification of NDT personnel -
General principles
[2] ISO TR 25107:2011 Non-destructive testing - Guidelines for NDT training syllabuses
[3] IAEA - Training Guidelines in Non-Destructive Testing Techniques: Manual for Visual
Testing at Level 2; Training Course Series No. 54, 2013 & Techdoc 628, 2013
[4] ASNT Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A, 2011 Personnel Qualification and
Certification in Nondestructive Testing
[5] ANSI/ASNT CP-105:2011 Training Outlines for Qualification of Nondestructive Personnel
[6] ANSI/ASNT CP-189:2011 Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive
Testing Personnel
[7] AWS QC-1:2007 Standard for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors
[8] TWI CSWIP: Certification Scheme for Welding & Inspection Personnel
[9] TCVN 5879:2009 (ISO 3058:1998)

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