who we are

The EMS Concrete Petrography Laboratory (EMS-CP) is the first concrete petrography laboratory in the Philippines. We focus on the assessment and evaluation of the quality of hardened concrete and raw materials used in its preparation. The team was established in 2017 and consists of professionals from different fields of expertise such as the natural sciences and engineering. 

We aim to introduce the use of concrete petrography as a tool to assess the quality of hardened concrete here in the Philippines, complementing existing physical testing methods for quality control and assurance of concrete such as strength tests. This is because while physical methods provide data on concrete strength, they cannot be used to obtain textural information, which can only be obtained with concrete petrography. Moreover, concrete petrography is one of the cheapest, fastest, and least invasive methods in concrete quality assessment.

The laboratory was certified last 2018, adhering to the ASTM-C856 standards. It is the standard for concrete petrography implemented in Europe, North America, and some countries in Southeast Asia. Concrete petrography requires field observations, along with the use of stereo, optical, and fluorescent settings in the petrographic microscope.

Since receiving its certification, the laboratory has been dedicated to analyzing various concrete structures across the country, from highways to essential infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, banks, and other institutions, all with the goal of enhancing public safety. As of the end of 2024, we have analyzed 1,750 concrete core samples and 3,500 thin sections. 

With the team being composed of technical and highly skilled individuals, we assure you the best services to cater your concrete assessment needs.

Projects