The Structural Materials Unit of the Construction & Materials Bureau supports VTrans projects, assuring that the structural concrete and concrete-related materials, reinforcing steel, structural fastener assemblies, and cementitious materials are in compliance with the required specifications. The Structural Materials Unit maintains three materials testing laboratories, all of which are accredited by the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials Accreditation Program (AAP).
Technical Services provided by the Structural Materials Unit include:
- Evaluation of material sources
- Review of products used in production and repair of structural concrete
- Technical advice and guidance on structural material sampling and testing
Laboratory Services provided by our accredited laboratories include:
- Physical testing of hardened concrete, reinforcing steel, structural fastener assemblies, and cementitious materials
- Forensic/Investigative testing of concrete sampled from in-service assets
- Fingerprinting of organic and inorganic materials using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
- Traditional wet-chemistry