A method for checking a connection seal between two elements of a part, includes dipping the part to be checked in a penetrant having a compound suitable for reacting to light excitation; cutting the part at the connection to be checked; and checking for the presence of penetrant under a light capable of exciting the penetrant.

A scour monitoring system may provide a housing that is separated into multiple segments that are fluidically isolated from each other. The scour monitoring system may be position adjacent to a structure to be monitored for bridge scouring. Each of the segments may provide a water-swellable material positioned near or in contact with a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) cable. If water penetrates a segment, the water-swellable material may expand to deform the FBG cable. The wavelength of the FBG cable may be monitored periodically for changes, thereby providing moisture detection when a change in wavelength is detected.

A method for checking a connection seal between two elements of a part, includes dipping the part to be checked in a penetrant having a compound suitable for reacting to light excitation; cutting the part at the connection to be checked; and checking for the presence of penetrant under a light capable of exciting the penetrant.

A scour monitoring system may provide a housing that is separated into multiple segments that are fluidically isolated from each other. The scour monitoring system may be position adjacent to a structure to be monitored for bridge scouring. Each of the segments may provide a water-swellable material positioned near or in contact with a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) cable. If water penetrates a segment, the water-swellable material may expand to deform the FBG cable. The wavelength of the FBG cable may be monitored periodically for changes, thereby providing moisture detection when a change in wavelength is detected.