At the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Materials and Testing Division, a dedicated team performs crucial tests to ensure that all roadway materials, including concrete and asphalt, adhere to stringent standards.
"The test procedure is basically the recipe for how to bake a cake, except here we are running a test," explained Ryan Barborak, director of TxDOT’s Materials and Testing Division.
Consistency in testing across all TxDOT labs statewide is essential for maintaining high-quality results. One of the key services provided by these labs is petrographic analysis. This advanced method helps identify reasons why certain materials do not meet industry standards.