ADVANCING MATERIALS SCIENCE
THROUGH INTEGRATED LABORATORY TESTING
The Concrete and Materials Branch (CMB), located within ERDC’s Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) in Vicksburg, Mississippi, is a nationally recognized leader in construction materials testing, evaluation, and research. The CMB operates more than 90,000 square feet of specialized laboratory space dedicated to aggregates, soils, asphalt, cement and pozzolans, and concrete.
These laboratories support a comprehensive range of capabilities, from standard American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) testing and routine construction materials evaluation to advanced research in chemical characterization, microscopy, forensic investigations, and full-scale performance testing.
By combining specialized expertise and extensive testing infrastructure under one roof, the CMB enables researchers and partners to assess material behavior across multiple scales—from microscopic properties to full-scale structural behavior—while providing the flexibility to move seamlessly between basic testing and complex research efforts.
The CMB is also home to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Materials Testing Center (MTC) providing world-wide laboratory validation services in accordance with USACE engineering regulations.
Capabilities & Services
Cementitious & Concrete Mixture Design
Development, optimization, and testing of cementitious materials and concrete mixtures to meet specific performance and durability requirements
Chemical & Physical Materials Analysis
Analysis of chemical composition and material properties including particle size, mineralogy, thermal behavior, electrical characteristics, magnetic properties, and reactivity
Concrete Coring, Forensics & Petrography
Investigation of existing concrete structures through coring, petrographic examination, and forensic analysis to assess quality and identify deterioration mechanisms and performance issues
Extreme Exposure Materials Testing
Evaluation of long-term material durability and performance under harsh environmental conditions including freeze-thaw cycling, tidal exposure, and marine environments
Geomaterials Characterization & Evaluation
Testing and evaluation of soils, aggregates, and other geomaterials to determine engineering properties, performance, and suitability for construction applications
High-Strain Rate & Mechanical Testing
Assessment of material behavior under static, cyclic, impact, and high-strain-rate loading conditions to support structural and protective design applications
Microscopy & Microstructural Evaluation
Advanced imaging and microstructural characterization using optical and X-ray-based techniques to evaluate material composition and internal features
Waterstop Testing
Testing of PVC and rubber waterstops for tensile strength, elongation, hardness, alkali resistance, flexibility, low-temperature performance, and splice integrity
Facilities & Equipment
Located in the Bay of Fundy near Eastport, Maine, Treat Island provides one of the most severe natural weathering environments available for evaluating concrete, masonry, and aggregate durability. The site experiences approximately 150 freeze-thaw cycles annually and a 22-foot tidal range that creates two daily wet-dry exposure cycles. Since 1936, Treat Island has supported landmark research programs involving concrete durability, corrosion resistance, air entrainment, roller-compacted concrete, fiber-reinforced concrete, and other advanced materials.
Treat Island Extreme Exposure Station
Partnership & Collaboration
Inquiries from interested parties will be received directly by the ERDCWERX team. Following initial discussions, ERDC will determine which agreement mechanism is the most appropriate.
Potential Partnership Pathways
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)-
Testing Service Agreement (TSA)
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Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) (Government)
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Interagency Agreement (IAA) (Government)
Learn more about the available pathways to work with ERDC.
Request Information Form
Organizations interested in funding reimbursable services may submit the form below to inquire about collaboration opportunities. Parties interested in submitting solutions for potential funding consideration may visit ERDCWERX.org.
