Laboratory Services / Petrographic Laboratory Analysis (ASTM C856, C294/C295, C457, & More)

Petrographic Laboratory Analysis (ASTM C856, C294/C295, C457, & More)

One of the most effective methods used to evaluate building materials quality, diagnose causes of deterioration, and determine extent of damage is petrographic examination.

It is applicable to aggregates, concrete, mortar, grout, plaster, stucco, terrazzo, building stone, and similar materials. Petrographic methods combine unaided visual inspection and examination using stereo, petrographic & metallographic microscopes, and scanning electron microscopes. CTLGroup’s expert interpretation of findings helps develop practical solutions to our clients’ problems.

Petrographic examination is often supplemented with chemical analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Physical tests develop data on compressive strength, volume change, air content of hardened concrete, freeze-thaw durability, and rapid chloride permeability.

Petrographic examination of concrete can provide descriptive information that includes:

  • Degree of cement hydration
  • Estimation of water-cement ratio
  • Extent of paste carbonation
  • Presence and amount of fly ash
  • Extent of corrosion of reinforcing steel
  • Evidence of alkali-aggregate reaction, sulfate attack or other chemical attack
  • Presence of potentially reactive aggregates
  • Evidence of improper finishing
  • Estimation of air content
  • Evidence of early freezing
  • Causes of cracking

CTLGroup regularly performs a variety of laboratory analyses for our clients. Below is a list of our most frequent tests related to Petrography. Please keep in mind that we cater our testing to each client’s specific needs. If a test you need is not on this list, please contact us to discuss in depth.

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Frequently Performed Petrographic Analysis

Test # Name
ASTM C856Standard Practice for Petrographic Examination of Hardened Concrete
ASTM C457Microscopical Determination of Parameters of the Air-Void System in Hardened Concrete, Procedure A (Linear Traverse Method) and Procedure B (Modified Point-Count Method)
ASTM C295Petrographic Examination of Aggregates for Concrete
ASTM C 1324Examination and Analysis of Hardened Masonry Mortar
ASTM C 856Petrographic Examination of Stucco
ASTM C 1324Standard Test Method for Examination and Analysis of Hardened Masonry Mortar (Petrographic Examination only)
COE CRD C130Scratch Hardness of Coarse Aggregate Particles
Color Determination by Spectrophotometer
Microscopical Examination of Clinker and Cement
Microscopical Examination of Cement and Clinker ONO Method
Scanning Electron Microscopy - Backscattered Electron Imaging (SEM-BSE) / X-Ray Elemental Analysis (EDX)
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