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Dr. S. Expert is a construction materials researcher with a highly successful track record in breakthrough developments in low-porosity, high-strength concrete and subterranean cement grouts using fly ash. He is adept at problem analysis, practical applications development, staff and methods management, conducting technical seminars, and acting as a liaison between end users and research scientists.

Expert has developed new cementing products using Class C fly ash and is the co-author of two patents covering oil well cementing technology. He has identified a process to make usable limestone deposits previously considered unsuitable for cement production. Expert has conducted cement clinker research on the effect reducing atmosphere has on the cement clinker characteristics of color, hardness, chemical composition, and strengths of mortars prepared from the resulting cement. He uses analytical methods, such as X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, petrographic analysis, and scanning electron microscopy in the analysis of cement and cement clinker and concrete. He has evaluated and analyzed limestone, clay, shale, iron ore, and gypsum for cement production.

Expert'Expertexperience with concrete includes formulating fire-resistant, lightweight concrete for supporting air conditioner units, investigating the cause of failure of a concrete silo at an industrial plant, and providing expert witness services for litigation involving asphalt concrete pavement failure, concrete structures, and other concrete problems. He has evaluated the durability and performance of concrete, including carbonation, efflorescence, scaling, spalling, cracking, metal corrosion, and fire damage. Expert performs forensic analysis as well as routine testing of concretes.

Expert has evaluated mortars and mortar mixtures, bricks, tile, and stones using ASTM performance tests. He employs SEM, TGA, DTA, petrographic analysis, and acid digestion testing methods. He served as an expert witness in the identification of the cause of mortar deterioration.

Familiar with the use of lime products (including limestone) in industrial applications, Expert was a chemist and technical sales manager for a lime plant in Ghana (1994-96), where he was responsible for quality control of products and sales support to the gold mining industry. He also supported sales in water treatment, soil stabilization, and other related areas.

Expert has performed condition surveys on concrete structures at refineries and on dams. He has authored written reports in order to document the extent of damage and then recommended suitable material for repair. He drafted specifications, selected a contractor, and supervised the repair work.


The concrete sleeve in the 90-year old mine shaft at the Hutchinson Salt Mine in Hutchinson, Kansas had experienced severe scaling, cracks, delaminations and corrosion of embedded rebars. With the assistance of a field technician, Expert and his team carried out an inspection of a 150 feet concrete section of the 650 feet mine. Corrosion mapping was performed on areas adjacent to heavily corroded areas to determine full extent of corrosion. Samples were also cored and tested in the laboratory to determine strength and general quality of concrete.The concrete foundation and pedestals on which heavy turbines were to be rested on at a new power plant in Cuiaba, Brazil had developed cracks and honeycombs. Expert’Expertclient, Enron Engineers and Constructors, requested that he perform an evaluation to determine the extent of damage and make recommendations. He used a pulse echo method to determine the soundness of several sections of the concrete - to identify honeycombs. He documented the cracks, performed on-site strength tests and tested some cored samples in the laboratory in Houston. He then wrote specification for the repair of cracks and honeycombs.The concrete floor of a nuclear fuel manufacturing plant had been severely damaged by acids and other proprietary chemicals. This had occurred on sporadic sections of the four floors of the plant'Expertseparation tower. Expert performed an inspection of the facility and cored samples for testing in the laboratory. He then performed compressive strength tests, petrographic analysis, scanning electron microscopy evaluation on samples and recommended materials for the repair of damaged sections.A coker unit at a refinery in Louisiana had experienced severe cracks, delaminations and scaling of concrete in addition to corrosion and exposure of rebars.
With assistance of field technicians Expert and his team documented the extent of damage, carried out several measurements including corrosion mapping. Samples were cored and tested in the laboratory for strength and durability using petrographic analysis and scanning electron microscopy. He recommended materials for the repair of the damaged structure.
Expert performed a condition survey on a condominium on the Gulf Coast- several feet from the coast. The 2 year old building had developed corrosion of embedded rebars and extensive cracks. He evaluated the cause of the cracks and premature corrosion. He also recommended materials for the repair of cracks and installed cathodic protection system to arrest the corrosion.