Lab Live: Coatings
IN THIS SESSION
Coatings play a crucial role in protecting building materials from environmental damage, enhancing their aesthetic appeal, and extending their lifespan. Properly applied coatings can prevent corrosion, mechanical damage, and UV degradation, maintaining a structure’s integrity and durability. Understanding the science behind coatings and their evaluation techniques can significantly improve material performance over its lifespan. In this “Lab Live” session, we will explore coatings for metals and concrete, sharing common destructive and non-destructive assessment approaches. Through a series of discussions and demonstrations, we will present lessons learned from failure investigations and best practices for enhancing functionality and durability.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand the fundamental properties of metal and concrete coatings.
- Recognize pull-testing techniques for coating failure investigations.
- Observe testing approaches for the integrity of coatings using stereo microscopy.
- Discuss colorimetry testing approaches for coating aesthetics and durability.
ABOUT THE “LAB LIVE” SERIES
To understand material performance in the field or determine the causes of underlying building conditions, engineers and material scientists often look to applied science and research methods to improve design and construction processes and probe known issues or problems. By combining technical knowledge with expertise in testing and materials science, these teams can help solve their clients’ most challenging problems by understanding why they occurred in the first place. In Simpson Gumpertz & Heger’s (SGH) virtual “Lab Live” series, we will demonstrate these testing and discovery methods in real time in our Applied Science & Research Center to focus on common and challenging material problems. In these dynamic sessions, we hope to spark discussions that lead to creative ideas and improved collaboration.
Participants will earn 1 AIA CES Learning Unit (LU/HSW) for attending the live webinar. Registration is free. Please note that space is limited – email events@sgh.com to join our waitlist if the session is closed when you register.
About the Speaker
Alan Humphreys is a metallurgical engineer specializing in failure analysis and structural assessment for degraded materials systems caused by corrosion, fracture and fatigue, or wear. His technical background includes laboratory testing and analysis to ASTM International, NACE International, and American Petroleum Institute standards, as well as the design of fitness-for-purpose experimentation. Alan works on a range of projects involving structures, petrochemical, transportation, and materials processing.
Melissa specializes in chemical engineering and materials science, bringing a diverse skill set to SGH’s Applied Science & Research Center, where she manages operations, coordinates projects, and ensures compliance with ISO 17025, AASHTO, and QANF accreditation standards. Her technical proficiency spans physical testing, chemical analysis, and other laboratory skills.
Kyle Schusler is a geologist who petrographically examines various construction materials to determine their composition and potential cause for distress. He has worked on a variety of concrete analysis projects, including alkali-aggregate reactions, surface scaling, fire distress, low-strength investigations, spalling, freeze-thaw distress, chemical attack, internal and external sulfate attack, flatwork finishing defects, and historic condition assessments.
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