Since 1912, Chicago Testing Laboratory has been recognized as the premier resource for testing and inspection of asphalt materials, liquids, aggregates, concrete and soils

Delivering expertise and accuracy for over a century

Chicago Testing Laboratory (CTL) is Chicagoland’s premier resource for the testing and inspection of construction materials, including: asphalt and asphalt materials, liquids, aggregates, concrete and soils. In addition, CTL provides consulting services in the fields of geotechnical engineering, construction inspection and other specialty areas.

We are a full-service provider that can offer you a complete range of testing, inspection, training, consulting and research capabilities in an expanded service area.

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Slab samples
 
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CTL auto extractor asphalt

New investments in the latest technology to ensure efficiency and a quick turnaround

CTL is dedicated to meeting your needs with highly qualified laboratory and field personnel. We offer hundreds of years of combined expertise along with an unparalleled depth of professional experience.

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Our values: leadership, integrity, vision and expertise

Organizations nationwide turn to our CTL staff for the quality control and quality assurance of asphalt and asphalt materials, liquids, aggregates, concrete and soils. We offer a best-in-class resource for testing, inspection, training, consulting and research. Our senior staff averages over 25 years of construction materials industry expertise, totaling hundreds of years of combined experience.

We are proud to have a rich history contributing to the success of the construction materials industry here in the Midwest and nationwide. CTL history includes over a century of expertise and experience in construction materials.

Training Classroom
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A rich heritage that spans over a century

1912

Founded as the Chicago Paving Laboratory by Lester Kirschbraun, a noted asphalt technologist and holder of many patents on asphaltic products.

1930

Our name was changed to Chicago Testing Laboratory, Inc., and Gene Abson became owner. Mr. Abson was a charter member, one of the founders, and President of the AAPT. He was also the creator of the Abson recovery test, which is still prominent in the industry and is recognized by ASTM as Standard D1856.

1959

Chicago Paper Testing was added as a division of Chicago Testing Lab to support the growing demand for testing paper and paper-related products.

1997

In conjunction with Lake Land College, JFG Technical Center became the northern training facility for the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Quality Control/Quality Assurance certification program.

2000

JFG Technical Center merged with CTL. CTL's expertise in asphalt materials, including liquids testing and HMA mixture designs, is expanded.

2001

CTL opened an office and operations in Indianapolis, Indiana, known as Indianapolis Testing Laboratory.

2004

CTL purchased Schleede-Hampton and Associates of Illinois and incorporated their staff and facilities into the CTL family of companies. CTL expertise in soils, geotechnical, construction materials testing and inspection is expanded. CTL operations are expanded into McHenry and Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

2010

CTL opened its current central laboratory in Warrenville, Illinois, which consists of nearly 7,500 square feet of laboratory and office space, capable of testing: soils, liquid asphalt, hot mix asphalt, Portland cement concrete, aggregates and various other materials. This is an AMRL, CCRL and IDOT accredited facility.

2011-Present

CTL invested in cutting-edge material testing equipment including the Hamburg Wheel, I-FIT, Micro Deval, autoextractor and automated compressive strength testers.

2012

CTL celebrated 100 years in business.

2015-16

CTL played an active role in the development and implementation of the Illinois Flexibility Index Test method (I-FIT). Working closely with academia and industry, CTL staff members presented at conferences and hosted workshops and industry training sessions.

2016

CTL obtained U.S. Army Corps of Engineers validation, officially becoming a commercial laboratory qualified to conduct material tests for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This validation covers various scopes including aggregates, bituminous, concrete and soil.