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The Bulgarian NDT Society in front of its 40th Anniversary Skordev A., Mihovski M. Contact

The existence of modern equipment and technology during the second half of XX century in Bulgaria would be impossible without non-destructive testing. The discovery, development and the wide application of the methods and means for non-destructive testing (NDT) is one of the main features of the scientific and technical revolution that took place after World War II. NDT allowed checking the characteristics of each product at each stage of its creation and use, in real (on-line) or close to real time. As any other activity, NDT also needs the public (non-profit, non-governmental) activity of its experts.

The aim of the present work is to make a survey and analyze the 38 years of public activity of the Bulgarian Society for NDT, using the facts and data gathered in the Chronicles of the Bulgarian non-destructive testing.

Stages of Development

It would be appropriate to divide the public activity in the field of NDT into three stages: Beginning and first public events (1961-1964); Intensive development within centralized planned economy environment (1965-1990); Development within the new economical conditions (after 1990).

This division is relative and depends on the author's point of view. The public organization of the NDT experts in Bulgaria was known successively as Scientific NDT Section (1962-1964), NDT Section (1965-1970), National NDT Section (1970-1991) and Bulgarian Society for NDT (since 1991).

THE BEGINNING

The first applications of NDT, which was a new activity for the Bulgarian technology, started in the 50s. [1]. The main role in this field was played by the physicist and mechanical engineer Slavcho Popov (1920-1983), who was working at that time in the Central R&D Institute for Mechanical Engineering (ZNIITMASH)- the first institute for industrial science in Bulgaria. Slavcho Popov was a restless person, entirely dedicated to NDT. In [2] we could read his memories about the Beginning "...The idea for training courses was shaping up. I have been told these could be realized through the Scientific and Technical Union. I visited the Union in November (most probably in 1961 - author's remark) and we decided to organize a two-day course for the staff of the Welding Inspection Facility. We created a NDT group or unit in the Union and I remember that after my name I gave the names of Petrov and Nankov from the Inspection Welding Facility, Balashev and Bezlov from ZNIITMASH (who were the co-founders of the society - author's remark)... The transformation of the NDT group into a NDT Scientific Section happened later (in 1962 - author's remark) in the Scientific and Technical Union." In 1963 with the financial support of Scientific and Technical Union S. Popov attended a Conference in Kiev. After that the Union and the Committee for Mechanical Engineering headed by P. Karapantev decided to organize a NDT Conference in Plovdiv in 1964. In the organization of this Conference was involved another legendary person for the NDT experts - Dipl. Eng. Dobrin Boev (1926-1993)- one of the pioneers of NDT in Bulgaria.

The first major public event in the field of NDT in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula was the First National NDT Conference held on 15 and 16 September 1964 in Plovdiv. It was organized with the joint efforts of ZNIITMASH and the Scientific and Technical Union. According to [3] 120 delegates, including 5 foreign authors - Prof. M.Radvan (Poland), M.Dobrovolski (Poland), Dr.H.U.Richter (DDR), Dr.E.Becker (DDR) and Dr.R.Gerstner (Austria) were presented at the Conference. An inquiry about the state of NDT was made and its results were summarized, concluding, "NDT is not used to its full capacity yet in our enterprises". A practice was created, usual for the non-governmental organizations, to vote a resolution for the most urgent tasks to be assigned to various governmental bodies and organizations. The recommendations of the First Conference were about the membership in ICNT and the creation of coordination NDT center in the "Laboratory for NDT and Radioscopy" in ZNIITMASH. In the list of participants at this Conference were the names of Dr. Eng. V.Michev - Director of ZNIITMASH, Milcho Janbastiev (State Machinery Factory - Kolarovgard), captain Milushev (devision 1110 - Kremikovtzi), I.Jaglichev (Boiler Factory "G.Kirkov" - Sofia), A.Ivanova (State Machinery Factory - Pleven), Res. Assoc. Eng. D. Boev, Res. Assoc. Eng. D.Avramov (ZNIITMASH), etc. It was at this Conference that Prof. Radvan said, "As the use of soap is a sign of the state of nation's culture, the application of NDT is a sign of the state of country's technology". And this phrase became a motto for a whole generation of NDT experts.

YEARS OF INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT (1965-1990)

The most important events in the public life during this period were the National Conferences with international participation organized by the NDT Section of the Scientific and Technical Union. They are listed in Table 1.

The Conferences promoted the Bulgarian scientific and technical achievements and served as a basis for the international recognition of the Bulgarian NDT experts. At these Conferences were made fruitful contacts and the latest information about the foreign achievements was available. The meetings, the discussions, the cultural and social events created confidence and respect for all colleagues. The 6 NDT Conferences turned into 6 holidays for the Bulgarian NDT experts. The role and the significance of the Conferences were well assessed by the basic governmental institutions responsible for this area, acting as co-organizers. Their high executives participated during the opening and the plenary sessions and observed the realization of the recommendations and the resolutions.

no	Place	Year	Participants	Papers,total no	Papers from foreign authors
First	Plovdiv	1964	110	5	4
Second	Smoljan	1966	210	21	16
Third	Sunny Beach	1968	150	43	29
Fourth	Varna Druzhba	1972	248	53	36
Fifth	Varna Druzhba	1977	250	74	51
Sixth	Kazanlak	1984	304	90	39
International	Plovdiv	1989	349	157	98
Seventh	Varna Druzhba	1992	80	22	5
Eighth	Sofia	1993	118	47	2
Ninth	Sofia	1994	140	61	1
Tenth	Sozopol	1995	170	58	4
Eleventh	Sozopol	1996	192	93	5
Twelfth	Sozopol	1997	140	37	2
Thirteenth	Sozopol	1998	130	49	3
Fourteenth	Sozopol	1999	160	77	3
Total:	15		2751	887	298
Table 1 : NDT Conferences

As there is no record in the official statistics about the NDT activity, the plenary papers, the statements and the resolutions of the Conferences are a valuable source of information about NDT evolution in Bulgaria through the years. This precious data was gathered thanks to the efforts of the NDT Section.

The second important trend in the large-scale public activities were the public discussions on actual problems of the national NDT technology system at the seminars and meetings for active scientific and technology information listed in Table 2. Besides, the Section gave the opportunity to more than 10 foreign companies specialized in NDT equipment (Vitosonic UK, NUKEM, Heiling and Karl Deutsch from Germany, Agfa Gevert - Belgium, Sonotron - Israel, etc.) to present their products at company seminars and to try to develop their business in Bulgaria.

Year	Topic	Participants	Papers
1973	Radiation safety in NDT practice	103	3
1974	Unified price list and qualification directory for NDT experts	180	1
1977	Problems and achievements of the ultrasonic NDT	75	2
1977	Achievements and development perspectives of magnetic and electromagnetic methods	62	3
1978	10 years of NDT Training School	102	1
1978	50 years of ultrasonic NDT	90	3
1979	Reconstruction and modernization of NDT Laboratories	145	6
1982	20 years of National NDT Section and 20 years of National NDT Section in the Central Institute of Mechanical Engineering	187	14
1983	Neutron radiography	29	1
1983	Implementation of the new mechanism in the field of NDT of the quality	53	4
1984	Application of NDT to improve the quality of welded joints	48	2
1985	Automation of NDT systems and means	98	9
1985	The role of NDT in improvement of the quality of castings	62	2
1986	Modern tendencies in NDT and its metrological assurance	60	4
1986	Problems of the metrological assurance of the NDT of quality	50	6
1986	New NDT technologies and results of the scientific and technical Competition "Efficient NDT technologies during the 1981-1986 period"	110	6
1987	Development of the scientific services in the NDT area	31	1
1987	NDT of structure composition, physical and mechanical properties of materials	73	3
1987	Application of microprocessors to improve the NDT efficiency	82	3
1988	NDT normative and technical documentation	98	4
1989	New NDT instruments and machines	63	5
1990	ISO standards for NDT	35	1
1990	NDT in nuclear power industry and heavy machinery industry in USSR	35	4
1991	NDT methods for investigating the structure and the physical and mechanical properties of materials	66	32
1992	30 years of public NDT activity in Bulgaria	54	2
1994	NDT of elements operating at high parameters of power supply equipment	80	14
1994	Ray protection and normative documents for the radiation NDT	64	7
1998	Improvement of the reliability and efficiency of NDT of power plant equipment	53	15
1999	Problems and solutions of NDT in the aircraft	52	11
1999	Bulgarian-Israeli meeting "Achievements and cooperation in NDT"	30	5
2000	The European instruments (EN, certification, accreditation, etc.) in the NDT practice	53	17
2000	European requirements in the field of NDT (personnel certification, accreditation, standards and control qualification)	52	9
Total	32	2380	199
Table 2 : Seminars, discussions and meetings for information exchange on NDT, organized by the NDT Section (Society)

The resolutions of the Conferences, approved with consensus are a source of objective information about the development of NDT in Bulgaria. The following extracts prove that:
1968 - "The non-destructive methods of control are showing an increasing efficiency in all sectors of the national economy, resulting in considerably reduced and eliminated rejects, improved quality and cheaper production" (at that time the prevention of accidents was not even mentioned - author's remark).
1972 - "The available NDT equipment is not fully used. A part of it does not satisfy the modern technology requirements. The application of ultrasonic, penetrant and other methods of inspection in our country is still weak while the radiation method which rises the inspection costs is very common".
1977 - "NDT methods and means have wide application worldwide in all areas of science and industry to improve product quality and exploitation life. During the past period this tendency was evident in our country too, though not sufficient yet. The different activities in organizing and carrying out NDT are not rated, regulated and priced."
1982 - "For the past 20 years NDT has found its DESERVED WIDE APPLICATION in the national economy. Good technological and economic results were obtained through the use of NDT methods and means that gave BETTER QUALITY, RELIABILITY AND EFFICIENCY OF MATERIALS USE.
There are engineers and operators trained in the field of NDT. The use of post-graduate and professional training completed the education system for NDT personnel.
A state fund of standards, normatives and recommendations was created, placing our country AMONG THE LEADERS in this area within the Council for Economic Aid."
1987 - "The field of NDT is constantly developing new methods and means and its wide application in all fields of science and technology in Bulgaria make NDT A BASIC SUBSYSTEM OF THE TECHNICAL INSPECTION AND TESTING.
The Bulgarian production of NDT machines and instruments is successfully developing and new items are constantly included in the production lists.
The number of scientists and managers obtaining high qualification in the basic methods is increasing."
1989 - "NDT is undergoing a thorough and comprehensive development.
NDT as one of the BASIC TECHNOLOGIES has an important role in modern technology and equipment.
The harmonization of the training system for NDT personnel is successful.
The level of the reports of the Bulgarian scientists and experts corresponds to the high scientific and technology level of the Conference."

From all the above-mentioned we should pay particular attention to the evolution of the perception of NDT, from its comparison to soap (1964) to its recognition as one of the basic modern technologies (1989). I.e. for 25 years of NDT in Bulgaria the technical miracle turned into a large public practice.
One of the most important contributions were the results of the public Competition for efficient NDT technologies, implemented between 1981 and 1986. The 10 projects presented by 8 teams had real economic effect in the enterprises where they were applied and a benefit of more than 4 million BGL (which was an important sum at that time). Everyone was sharing the feeling that this Competition was particularly encouraging for the experts, members of the Section. During this period in the field of NDT in Bulgaria were presented 126 development projects, 68 new and improved products (11 of them in regular production), 33 new and improved technologies and 18 normative and technical regulations. NDT was applied in 61 enterprises and NDT machines and instruments for several million BGL were exported. The results of the Competition and the activity of different governmental organizations led to the recognition of NDT as one of the top 10 technologies for the technological development of Bulgaria up to year 2000. [5]
Among the large-scale events we would like to mention the ones developing principally new subjects, which widened the national NDT technology system introducing new norms and standards, metrological assurance and NDT structure investigation and testing of the physical and mechanical properties. In this way the Bulgarian NDT system became one of the most modern in Europe. Unfortunately this system was part of the non-efficient national economy and the capacities of NDT were not fully used.
One of the important achievements of the NDT Section were the presentations by outstanding foreign NDT experts and specialists like Prof. L.G.Merkulov, Prof. N.I.Ermolov, Prof. V.M.Baranov (USSR), Prof. Z.Pavlovski (Poland), Prof. H.U.Richter (DDR), Dr. E. Becker (DDR), Dr. Cizek (CSSR), Dr. E.Heiberg (USA), Eng. V.Mihnovski (Poland), Eng. D.Jurgenson (USSR), etc.
We are proud of the thousands of pages of publications: 5 volumes of Conference Proceedings, 3 scientific news journals, 4 volumes of ANTI(Meetings for active scientific and technology information) and about 250 papers registered in the Central Institute for Technology Information.
The national NDT Section also organized the participation of its members in international conferences. The Bulgarian science and technology was well presented (by 82 participants) at the 10^th NDT World Conference in Moscow in 1982. 13 papers were presented. After this impressive presentation experts from all over the world started to talk about their Bulgarian colleagues with interest and respect. The nomination of Bulgaria and its National NDT Section to host the 5^th European NDT Conference, discussed in 1987 by ECNDT in London is a proof of its international recognition. Unfortunately for us and the European NDT experts the European NDT Conference in 1990 was to be hosted by the Yugoslavian Society and Sarajevo (11 votes against our 7 and one abstained) and the Conference was spoiled by the war.
Bulgaria was well presented in ICNT by its public NDT organization (since 1973) and in ECNDT (since 1984). Our delegation, authorized by the Government was among the first delegations to ratify the documents of the ICNT about NDT personnel qualification levels and the minimum training programs.
At this time further to the continuous organization strengthening and democratic relationship between the members, the Society was striving to establish territorial sections because of the constantly increasing number of members and followers (from 30 members in 1975 to 600 in 1989). In [4] you could see that the number of registered NDT experts in 1989 was about 1000, compared to the 50 members in 1964. Regional sections were established in Haskovo, Russe, Lovech, Varna, Pleven, Pernik and Mihailovgrad (today - Montana). We have to mention the favorable influence and the strong organizational environment existing in the Scientific and Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering, as the National NDT Section was a part of it.
The huge dimensions of the activities described above (6 conferences with 1511 participants, 22 seminars with 1860 participants and a total of 524 papers) required many efforts and hard work from the active members of the Section and its executives. The members of the public NDT Section were motivated by the patriotic idea to develop the NDT scientific and technology system and thus obtain a better personal and professional realization.
During this period the Section was headed by Assoc. Prof. Eng. Slavcho Popov - Chairman until 1982 and honorary Chairman until 1983, Assoc. Prof. Dr. A.Skordev - Chairman from 1982, Eng. D.Boev - Secretary until 1985, physicist K.Shivarov - Secretary (1987-1989), Prof. Dr.Hab. M.Mihovski - Secretary (1985-1987) and Vice-Chairman from 1987, Eng. Jurist K.Panev - Deputy Chairman (1982-1987). At that time Board members and active section members were: Assoc. Prof. D.Avramov (CIME), Phys. K.Marinov (Machinery Production Factory "Fr. Engels"), Phys. Z.Pechenikova (Ministry of Health Care), Assoc. Prof. Eng. D.Tzvetkov (Higher Institute of Mechanical Engineering), Res. Assoc. Phys. A.Nikolova ("Heavy Machinery Factory"-Radomir), Phys. M.Geshev ("Kremikovtzi" Factory), Phys. G.Ivanov ("Energoremont"), Z.Vassilev (Bulgarian Army), Res. Assoc. Eng. I.Bachvarov (CIME), Assoc. Prof. Eng. M.Lozev (HIMMASH), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. B.Tabakova (Higher Institute of Mechanical Engineering), Eng. M.Denev ("Metalurgavtomatika"), Phys. B.Katzarski (Automated Equipment Production Factory), Hr.Chukachev ("Chemical Factories"-Devnja), Eng. A.Andreev (Heavy Machinery Factory-Russe), Phys. M.Zagorska ("Autotractor Factory"-Stara Zagora), Eng. I.Angelov ("Minstroy"), Phys. G.Asparouhov (Ministry of Health Care), Res. Assoc. Eng. Assen Petrov etc.
The history of the intensive NDT development in Bulgaria and its relations worldwide are still to be written. The 28 large-scale events with more than 1500 participants and over 524 papers, 14 published editions, 25 visits to foreign countries are a serious analysis base. Obviously the Bulgarian experts can be proud of such an important public activity. And they can compare their work to the past achievements and try to reach new highs in the future.

THE BULGARIAN SOCIETY FOR NDT AFTER 1990

The last period of the development of the public NDT activity began at the General Meeting of the NDT experts in Bulgaria held on 25.01.1990 in Sofia, with 120 participating experts. Conforming to the democratic changes taking place in Bulgaria and after serious discussions the Meeting approved the establishment of an independent, non-political organization of NDT experts. Along with the democratization came the economical crisis leading to serious difficulties for the Scientific and Technical Union activity. It was suffering from lack of resources to organize scientific and technical events and public activities. But the need of personal and professional contacts, the desire of democracy and the revival of the spirit and the practice of the societies of engineers and technicians led to the establishment of the Bulgarian Society for NDT on 14.01.1992. It was registered in Sofia City Court under N 8270/1995 as a non-profit organization accordingly to the "Law for the individuals and family".
The approved and registered Statute says that the organization is a "voluntary, independent, public professional organization of the experts and operators involved both professionally and creatively in the entire NDT activity in all fields of science, technology and culture". The Statute defines the Society as the successor of the National NDT Section and its membership in the Scientific and Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering.

The Society continued its routine - conferences, seminars and visits of its members in foreign countries. An editorial was established, headed by M.Mihovski starting to publish regularly the Society Bulletin. In order to provide resources for the Society's activity "Principles for reasonable commercialization" were accepted introducing higher membership and participation fees, advertising in the publications and finding sponsors. The Society was one of the founders of the Technical Standards Committee N 24 "Non-destructive Testing" established in 1992 on a voluntary stakeholder basis and a Certification Center (1996). The international contacts got wider by signing agreements and contracts for collaboration and professional contacts with similar societies: NAK NK of the Union of Democratic States (ex-URSS) (1992), BANKTD - Bjelorussia and the Israel Society (1993), AroENd - Romania (1994), HSNDT - Croatia and CSNDT - Canada (1996). In 1996 the National NDT Societies of Bulgaria and Israel signed an agreement for mutual recognition of the qualification of NDT experts. In 1998 we signed agreements for professional cooperation with ASNT (USA), USNDN (Ukraine), TNDT Committee (Turkey), RSNDT TD (Russia), ISNDTMD (Italy) and renewal of the agreement for corresponding membership with DGZfP (Germany). In 1998 BG S NDT became one of the founders of EFNDT and regularly pays the membership fee.
Another successful attempt was the establishment of a Society of private companies in the field of NDT in 1993. In 1992 the Executive Board of the Society took the initiative to propose amendments of the "Law for peaceful use of the atomic energy and permitted private property on radiation NDT means" (Article 2). [5]
The number of Society members is constantly increasing - from 24 founders in 1992 we had 176 individual and 16 group in the end of 1999. The general meeting of the Society is held regularly - every year.
The administration of the Society was based on democracy principles. Management Board, Executive Board and a Revision Committee were established. An award in the name of Slavcho Popov and a "honorary member" title was founded. The first seven experts of the Society were chosen.
In spite of the difficult situation we organized 8 national conferences with international participation with 1130 participants and 444 papers, as well as 9 seminars with 504 participants and 112 papers. Along with the conferences we are organizing youth schools for NDT structure investigation and testing of physical and mechanical properties. We have a permanent scientific seminar where our members report about their scientific work (doctorats). These events were not attended by so many people as it used to be in the past, but there were undoubted improvements in qualitative and quantitative aspects.
After the foundation of the Bulgarian Accreditation Body in 1998, a Personnel Certification Center for the NDT personnel at BG SNDT started to work. It is a fact now with the inestimable help of the honorary member of BG S NDT H. Wessel from DGZfP. The experts from BG S NDT supported the EFNDT's idea to amend the European Convention for transportation of dangerous freights. The idea of an agreement for regional professional cooperation came up. Its objective is to develop the non-governmental activity in the field of NDT in all the countries of the Balkan Peninsula and to prepare the membership of the rest of the Balkan countries (8 countries) still not members of ICNT.
During this period the Managing Board was headed by M.Mihovski, A.Skordev was the Chairman of the Society and K.Panev headed the Revision Committee. M.Kolarova (1990-1994), V.Boev (1990-1992) and P.Raikov (since 1994) were Secretaries.

CONCLUSION

The long years of public activity in the field of NDT in Bulgaria, makes us satisfied with the progress of this modern technology system and its role in preventing accidents and contributing to better product quality. A second generation of active members of the National Society for NDT has taken the responsibility for the NDT Society from the veterans of the Bulgarian NDT. They are making great efforts to keep the prestige of the profession and the positive gains of the Bulgarian NDT, even in the actual difficult situation of the country, in order to step with dignity into the 40^th anniversary of BG S NDT as an active member of EFNDT and ICNT.

1. Skordev Al., Facts and memoirs about the Bulgarian NDT , Bulletin of the National Society for NDT, 8/94, 7/94, 8/95, 10/96, 11/96.
2. Popov Sl., 20 years of National NDT Section, 1982, not published.
3. First National NDT Conference, Sofia, 1965, published by ZNIITMASH.
4. Skordev Al., Non-destructive control and examination, Sofia, 1987, published by ZNIITMASH.
5. Skordev Al., Bulgarian Society for NDT - 35 years. Non-destructive testing. An East-West European perspective, published by the British Institute of NDT, 1998, ISBN: 0 903 132 25 7.

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