LABORATORY SERVICES

Materials laboratories are essential for advancements in engineering, construction, and manufacturing. CTLGroup’s labs gain a comprehensive understanding of structure, composition, properties, and processing of materials through material characterization, material synthesis, testing and performance evaluation, failure analysis, and material design and optimization.

Through the scientific technique of microscopy, our researchers can observe mineralogical and chemical characteristics of concrete and minerals. Tools such as optical microscopes and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)provide a detailed view of the microstructure of a material. Petrographic examination of concrete can provide descriptive information that includes the degree of cement hydration, estimation of water-cement ratio, the extent of paste carbonation, evidence of alkali-aggregate reaction, sulfate attack or other chemical attack and more.

The findings and insights derived from structural and transportation labs play a vital role in improving infrastructure design, construction techniques, and transportation planning. These labs support the innovation and research in earthquake engineering, bridge design, pavement analysis, and urban planning through structural testing, non-destructive testing, geotechnical testing, and transportation system analysis. These labs also perform railroad track and tie testing in accordance with AREMA Chapters 4 and 30.