www.CTLGroup.com

Hugh (Xiaoqiang) Hou Contact

Petrography 5400 Old Orchard Road

Skokie, Illinois 60077-1030

Phone: 847-***-****

Dr. Hou has extensive experience

Fax: 847-***-****

in petrographic and microscopical

Email: abqd1x@r.postjobfree.com

investigation of concrete, aggregate,

mineral admixtures, rocks for erosion

control (riprap), and other construction materials to evaluate their

Credentials

composition, quality, properties and projected performance, causes

of defects, deterioration and failures due to different mechanisms.

Ph.D. in Geochemistry/

He also evaluates their compliance with project specifications and

Mineralogy

standard requirements. He has performed hundreds of tests of

University of Illinois at Urbana-

concrete petrography (ASTM C856), aggregate petrography (ASTM

Champaign, 2001

C295), air-void system analysis (ASTM C457) and rocks used for

erosion control (Provision 10 in ASTM D4992 and ASTM C295). M.S. in Geology

China University of Mining and

Prior to joining CTLGroup, Dr. Hou conducted research on the Technology, 1989

mechanisms of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and the molecular-scale

B.S. in Geology

structure of ASR gel while he served as manager and research

Taiyuan University of

associate at the Center for Advanced Cement-Based Materials (ACBM).

Technology, 1986

Dr. Hou also has extensive experience in spectroscopy, as well

as wet-lab synthesis and characterization of cement paste model

compounds and geochemically important layer-structured materials.

Dr. Hou s early education and research focused on petrographic and

geochemical studies of coal and oil/gas source rocks.

Services

Materials Characterization Aggregate Petrography

Materials-Related Failure Riprap Petrography

Concrete Evaluation: Composition, Quality, Industrial Minerals

Deterioration, Fire Damage, Durability and

Coal and Oil/Gas Source-Rock Petrology

Condition

www.CTLGroup.com

Hugh (Xiaoqiang) Hou

Petrography

Experience

Concrete Evaluation: Composition, Quality, Material Characterization

Deterioration, Fire Damage, Durability and Conducted Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy

Condition Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and optical

Performed petrographic examination of samples of light microscopic studies of filtrant residues from an

cracked concrete from pavements and foundations explosive and identified important contaminants.

in Western Kentucky to document evidence of alkali-

Conducted SEM-EDX and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis

aggregate reaction.

of stains on surface of glazed bricks and concrete slabs,

Performed petrographic examination of concrete cores and identified causes of staining.

from a historic bridge and provided critical information

regarding the concrete quality and condition to help

Riprap Evaluation

determine the feasibility of reusing the bridge piers to

Conducted microscopical and XRD studies on bedrock

support a replacement superstructure.

samples from Alabama, Alaska and Tennessee, to

Performed detailed petrographic examination of fire-

evaluate their suitability for potential use as erosion

damaged concrete in a power plant and a fire-fight

control.

training facility and provided information regarding the

repair depth of the concrete.

Materials-Related Failure

Performed petrographic examination and air-void

Performed detailed petrographic examination of

analysis on hundreds of concrete samples to help

concrete cores from a municipal building. Conclusively

determine the cause of surface defects including

identified that thaumasite sulfate attack (TSA) in the

delamination, discoloration, scaling, efflorescence,

concrete was responsible for the concrete failure.

staining, cracking and floor tile debonding.

Performed petrographic examination of numerous

concrete samples and identified concrete failure or

Aggregate Petrography non-compliance with specifications, due to material-

Performed petrographic examinations of natural gravel, related reasons including alkali-aggregate reactions,

sand and various crushed rocks to evaluate their sulfate attack, excessively high air content, addition

suitability as aggregates in portland cement concrete. of excessive amounts of low-reactive fly ash, or

excessively high water-cement ratios.

Affiliations

American Ceramic Society ASTM International - Member

Technical Paper Reviewer for JACS

Mineralogical Society of America - Member

American Chemical Society

Technical Paper Reviewer for several of the society

journals

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