Here is an in-depth look at the core technologies that came to define welding inspection during this period.
While visual inspection is crucial, it only detects surface flaws. The 2020-2021 technological landscape was defined by the adoption of advanced NDT techniques to identify subsurface defects. A. Ultrasonic Testing (UT) & Phased Array (PAUT)
is the governing document for most steel structures and includes updated inspection criteria that went into effect during the 2020-2021 cycle. ISO 17637:2022 (Update to 2016) : For international projects, welding inspection technology 2020 pdf 2021
Even in 2026, these documents remain valuable for three reasons:
Software developers introduced AI algorithms capable of pre-screening radiographic and ultrasonic data. By training models on thousands of historical weld defect profiles, these systems flagged potential anomalies, reducing the cognitive fatigue of human inspectors. Here is an in-depth look at the core
Published on a biennial schedule, the 2021 ASME BPVC introduced updates for welding inspectors under Section V (Nondestructive Examination) and Section IX (Welding and Brazing Qualifications).
Uses flat-panel detectors to capture images instantly, displaying them directly on a technician’s monitor. By training models on thousands of historical weld
Automated crawlers equipped with PAUT probes or laser scanners were increasingly deployed on pipelines, storage tanks, and pressure vessels. These devices mapped weld profiles with millimeter precision, streaming data back to off-site engineers.
Released mid-2021, this standard harmonized acceptance levels across VT, PT, MT, UT, and RT. The key update was the alignment of UT acceptance criteria with RT (making PAUT a true substitute).
The 2020–2021 Regulatory Shift: AWS WIT-T and Structural Codes