Overview keynote speakers
Session 2: The inspection and testing of existing foundations to assess their suitability for reuse
Dr. Ernst Niederleithinger
Head of Non-destructive Testing Methods for Civil Engineering at BAM
Dr. Ernst Niederleithinger got his Masters Degree in Geophysics in 1990 from TU Berlin, his PhD degree from University of Potsdam, and a habilitation degree from RWTH Aachen University.
After working for 11 years as a geophysical contractor he joined BAM, the German Federal Research Institute for Materials Research and Testing. Currently he serves as head of the division for NDT in civil engineering and coordinates BAM’s new competence center for data analytics.
His main research interests are ultrasonic imaging and monitoring, especially using geophysical techniques. In addition, he lectures at RWTH Aachen University. He is a member of various committees working on recommendations for NDT.
Dr. Niederleithinger will deliver the keynote address for session 2 at the conference, which focuses on the testing and evaluation of piles that are to be reused. As one of the principal investigators of the foundation re-use project REFUND (in Germany) and RUFUS (in the European Union) and co-author of various NDT and monitoring guidelines and standards, he will share his views on how the current condition and the remaining life of existing deep foundation elements can be assessed.