Our Start
CTLGroup originated over a century ago as the cement and concrete technology research and development arm of the Portland Cement Association (PCA) in 1916. Our original role was focused on developing the then-fledgling U.S. cement industry.
How We’ve Grown
In some ways we’ve changed over the past century, and in many others we have not. We are still the concrete industry’s thought leaders and problem solvers. But evermore, we are a multi-disciplined team of engineers, architects, scientists, and consultants. We continue to evolve and seek new solutions as the world around us changes. and our clients face new challenges.
Years in Business
Timeline
1916
Our Beginning
CTLGroup originated a century ago as the cement and concrete technology Research and Development Laboratories of Portland Cement Association (PCA) in 1916.
1960
CTLGroup begins providing consulting services
In the 1960s, present-day CTLGroup began providing consulting services for applied research projects, continuing to expand its engineering consulting services through the 1980s.
1970
Reducing Concrete’s Carbon Footprint
CTLGroup begins the first of decades of research and project work on using fly ash and other supplementary cementitious materials in concrete. This work is now gaining even more momentum due to its potential for reducing the carbon footprint of concrete.
1985
Lunar Soil
CTLGroup gains national attention when NASA provides one of the largest samples of lunar soil it has allocated for investigative research. Test results verify that lunar material is an excellent aggregate for making concrete.
1987
Branching Out
CTLGroup, which began as the research and development arm of the Portland Cement Association (PCA), starts serving outside clients as an independent PCA subsidiary. The firm expands its scope of service beyond concrete and modifies a structures lab to incorporate the testing of steel structures, which includes rail and rail rolling stock components.
1990
Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial
CTLGroup performs an evaluation of deterioration in monument structures which included the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.
1992
Chicago Public Library
The goal of CTLGroup’s first project in sustainability is to determine the embodied energy of concrete and steel. This project takes place before ISO standards for life cycle inventory (LCI) and life cycle assessment (LCA) are established.
1995
Oklahoma City Bombing
Senior Vice President Dr. W. Gene Corley headed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) investigation of the bombing and structural response which caused the collapse of the Murrah Federal Building.
1996
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Washington, D.C. National Park Service requested CTLGroup to investigate and determine the causes of granite panel cracking.
1997
Nondestructive Testing (NDT)
CTLGroup leads the industry with services that include almost all aspects and methods of concrete NDT. We began in 1997, when NDT expert Allen Davis led the development and promotion of the Impulse Response (IR) technique. Today, CTLGroup offers full services in concrete NDT, and remains at the forefront utilizing the latest technologies.
1999
Branch Davidian Trial
Senior Vice President Dr. W. Gene Corley worked with the U.S. Justice Dept. to counter claims by the Branch Davidians that the FBI used unreasonable force and trapped people in the building during the Waco, TX showdown. Corley’s team’s investigation of the building proved that this was false.
2000
Safeco Field
CTLGroup performed a long term performance monitoring of the retractable roof viscous-damper system movement at Safeco Field in Seattle, WA.
2001
The World Trade Center Collapse
Senior Vice President Dr. W. Gene Corley oversees the initial report to FEMA and testifies in front of Congressional Committee. His team finds that lack of fire-proofing of the building led to much of the severity of the destruction. Recommendations on structural fireproofing arising from Corley’s report are gradually implemented throughout the industry.
2003
Unity Temple Restoration
CTLGroup proudly completes an award-winning design-build concrete restoration project for a historic Frank Lloyd Wright landmark located in Oak Park, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago.
2007
Big Dig Tunnel Collapse
CTLGroup is involved in the analysis and determination of the cause of the collapse in the ceiling in Boston, MA.
2009
Standard Reference Material Contributions
CTLGroup completes its most recent set of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, formerly the U.S. National Bureau of Standards). For 40 years, CTLGroup has been involved with the selection, packaging and certifying of SRMs used throughout the world, including some of the biggest selling at NIST.
2010
Burj Khalifa
Using its world-class laboratory, CTLGroup conducted creep and shrinkage testing for the structural analysis of the building. Additional consulting services included construction materials optimization, construction methods consulting and construction process review, and specialized concrete mixture development.
2011
I-35W Investigation and Expert Report
CTLGroup completed its role providing expert opinion as to the cause of the collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis, MN.
2013
CTLGroup Celebrates the Life of Dr. W. Gene Corley
CTLGroup celebrates the life and professional achievements of Dr. W. Gene Corley who passed away at age 77. Gene was a life-long member of the PCA/CTLGroup organization. He was one of the world’s experts on structures damaged by natural and manmade disasters.
2014
Wilshire Grand Tower Foundation
Dubbed “The Grand Pour” the Wilshire Grand Tower was the site of the world’s largest continuous concrete placement. CTLGroup engineered a cooling pipe system that internally cooled the foundation.
2015
Jet Propulsion Laboratory Deep Space Antenna
CTLGroup performed a comprehensive field investigation and installed a structural health monitoring system for the Deep Space Network 34-Meter Antenna, DSS-54, located at the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex near Madrid, Spain.
2016
Celebrating 100 Years
CTLGroup’s legacy began in 1916 as the R&D labs of the Portland Cement Association (PCA). We were proud to be celebrating this important milestone with PCA.
2019
CTLGroup is Acquired
CTLGroup is acquired by Barco Investment Group.
2020
CTLGroup’s Website Launch
CTLGroup launches a brand new and interactive website.
2021
New York City Office
To meet the service demands of our clients in the New York City metropolitan area, CTLGroup expands with a new office. This team primarily supports the property asset management needs of public and private building owners.
2021
Frank Lloyd Wright Unity Temple UNESCO World Heritage Site Plaque Unveiling
As part of CTLGroup’s continued support of the Frank Lloyd Wright Unity Temple in Oak Park, IL, CTLGroup was proud to sponsor the building’s UNESCO World Heritage Site plaque unveiling.
