Petrographic Analysis

Service Overview

Petrographic analysis can be applied to the concrete industry in numerous ways and thus helps to unlock the microscopic secrets of concrete’s big-picture ideas. By utilizing polarizing light microscopy, GeoStructures petrographers characterize concrete samples based on the characteristics detailed below.

Our petrographers tailor their approach to fit client needs, thus providing insight into potential failure mechanisms, corrosion, weathering/leaching, fire damage, sulfate attack, freeze/thaw durability, and more!

Service Offerings

Composition of Aggregates (ASTM C295)

Characterize the mineralogical composition and quality of aggregates used in concrete to ensure optimal performance.

Quality of Cement Paste (ASTM C856)

Analyze the quality and condition of the cement paste to detect potential issues like degradation or improper curing.

Water/Cement Ratio

Determine the water-to-cement ratio to ensure proper mix design and strength of concrete.

Air Void Percentages (ASTM C457)

Measure the volume and distribution of air voids in hardened concrete to assess its durability and freeze-thaw resistance.

Depth of Carbonation

Evaluate the depth of carbonation in concrete to understand its susceptibility to carbonation-induced corrosion.

Evidence of Alkali-Silica Reactions (ASTM C856)

Identify and analyze signs of alkali-silica reactions to prevent expansive cracking and structural damage.

Monroe County, Pennsylvania

Lake Akiba Dam

Built in 1926, the Lake Akiba Dam was constructed to provide recreational activities to Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Over time, however, dam deterioration became evident. To…

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Turnpike Open-End Geotechnical Investigations

GeoStructures has served numerous open-end geotechnical service contracts for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Three notable services involve finite element method (FEM) analysis, lime stabilization, and…

Southwestern Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Turnpike Southern Beltway

Since 2013, GeoStructures has teamed with the Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania office of Stantec to provide geotechnical design services for a new 3-mile section of the $700-million,…

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Turnpike Bridge No. NB-391

Not long after completion, the abutments of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Bridge no. NB-391 began to exhibit signs of instability. Differential settlement and outward rotation of…

Wilmington, Delaware

Interstate-95 Reconstruction

I-95 through Wilmington, Delaware is part of the heavily traveled mid-Atlantic corridor which connects New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. A 2.7-mile segment of I-95…

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Solomon Solis-Cohen Elementary School

Surface cracking was observed on recently poured slab-on-deck concrete at the Solomon Solis-Cohen Elementary School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. GeoStructures performed petrographic laboratory analysis to characterize…

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Bryn Mawr College Library

Deterioration was observed on the exterior stairs of the Bryn Mawr College Thomas Library in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. To investigate whether the deterioration has subsided…

Monroe County, Pennsylvania

Lake Akiba Dam

Built in 1926, the Lake Akiba Dam was constructed to provide recreational activities to Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Over time, however, dam deterioration became evident. To…

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Turnpike Open-End Geotechnical Investigations

GeoStructures has served numerous open-end geotechnical service contracts for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Three notable services involve finite element method (FEM) analysis, lime stabilization, and…

Southwestern Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Turnpike Southern Beltway

Since 2013, GeoStructures has teamed with the Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania office of Stantec to provide geotechnical design services for a new 3-mile section of the $700-million,…

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Turnpike Bridge No. NB-391

Not long after completion, the abutments of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Bridge no. NB-391 began to exhibit signs of instability. Differential settlement and outward rotation of…

Wilmington, Delaware

Interstate-95 Reconstruction

I-95 through Wilmington, Delaware is part of the heavily traveled mid-Atlantic corridor which connects New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. A 2.7-mile segment of I-95…

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Solomon Solis-Cohen Elementary School

Surface cracking was observed on recently poured slab-on-deck concrete at the Solomon Solis-Cohen Elementary School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. GeoStructures performed petrographic laboratory analysis to characterize…

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Bryn Mawr College Library

Deterioration was observed on the exterior stairs of the Bryn Mawr College Thomas Library in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. To investigate whether the deterioration has subsided…

Jianchao Li, P.E.

CO-FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL ENGINEER