Theodora Onwunyiri
Construction Materials Testing (CMT) Lab Manager 

Q: Theodora, you play a critical role in the day-to-day activities at one of Atlas’ laboratories. How did you become interested in materials testing or what inspired you to pursue a career in this field?

What sparked my interest in materials testing was the realization that every test I conduct has a profound impact on the safety and durability of the structures all around us. I’m inspired to know that my meticulous attention to detail plays an important role in making sure buildings, bridges and vital infrastructure are built to last and that they protect the communities they serve. There’s a deep sense of pride and responsibility that comes from knowing the work I do contributes directly to the foundation of our everyday lives.

Q: Atlas’ New Jersey lab handles significant cylinder break volume, as well as aggregate/concrete and soils testing. What does a typical day in the lab look like for you?

For me, a typical day involves making sure all laboratory activities are performed according to strict standards and safety protocols. I focus heavily on accuracy and timeliness —making certain that test reports are correct, equipment is well maintained and the lab environment is functioning at peak performance. This work is essential because the quality and reliability of these tests directly impact the safety and longevity of the structures built with the materials we examine. By upholding rigorous testing practices and upholding compliance standards, I help prevent costly construction errors, support the integrity of critical infrastructure and ultimately protect the communities who depend on these projects every day.  

Q: What kind of material testing do you perform, and what aspect of your job do you enjoy best? How does your role directly support major infrastructure projects?

I work frequently with concrete, masonry materials (mortar and grout) and soil samples collected from construction sites. I enjoy testing these materials because each sample tells a story about the project’s requirements. Comparing the test results to specifications helps confirm whether a structure is built to last.

Good quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) practices help make sure the materials used in construction meet design expectations. My work supports the safety, reliability and long‑term performance of finished structures. It’s a critical component of delivering value for our clients, while also protecting the communities who benefit from the built infrastructure.

For example, my lab worked on a renewable energy project that supports an offshore wind energy generation hub. Serving as the Special Inspection agency, Atlas provided QA/QC services to evaluate the construction processes and activities and make sure they are performed in accordance with the approved construction documents and/or design. I take significant pride knowing my work supports quality assurance and is making an impact on the world.

Q: Is there anything about your job that might surprise people?

Many people may not realize how essential materials testing is to overall construction quality. It’s not just a behind-the-scenes function; it’s a cornerstone of safe and successful construction. In fact, every test conducted plays a direct role in determining whether the structures we depend on — such as buildings, bridges and roads — are built to withstand the demands of everyday use and environmental challenges. Materials testing ensures that components like concrete, masonry and soils meet stringent quality and safety standards before they become part of a finished project. By identifying potential weaknesses, verifying compliance with design specifications and catching issues early, this process helps prevent costly errors, structural failures and safety hazards. Ultimately, materials testing supports the reliability, durability and longevity of infrastructure, providing confidence not only to clients but also to the communities that rely on these structures for their safety and well-being.

Q: What does WIC Week mean to you? How has being a woman in this field shaped your experience?

WIC Week was established to help break the misconception that construction is strictly a man’s field. By highlighting the achievements of women in the industry, WIC Week inspires young women to pursue their dreams and explore construction‑related careers.

Working in a construction materials testing lab has reinforced what my parents always taught me — that gender should not limit our goals or our ability to achieve anything we set our minds to. My work experience has strengthened my confidence and resilience.

Q: What advice would you offer young women interested in construction or materials testing?

See construction as a viable career option without limitations. It’s your interest, dedication and expertise that matter.

I would also remind young women that you can have a career and fulfill traditional female roles, including being a mother. I am a mother to a lovely son, and he is an important part of my life that brings me great joy.

Q: What do you hope to see for the future of women in construction, especially in technical or lab roles?

I hope to see more women managing CMT laboratories. Increasing female leadership in technical areas will continue to open doors for the next generation.

The Association of Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), a leading global corrosion and coatings community, recently assembled a group of experts to revamp the internationally recognized Basic Coating Inspector and Certified Coating Inspector requirements.

AMPP gathered nine forward-thinking professionals — with strong backgrounds in coating inspection, coating systems specification, and failure analysis — to design two new course curriculums and exam questions.

One of the invitees was Principal Engineer, Jay Dorst.

“We reviewed and developed the blueprint for the material that will be included in the certification exams for candidates wishing to obtain certification as coating inspectors,” Jay said.

But they first had to weigh what factors were more important than others. That is, what exactly are the differences between level-one basic and level-two certified?

“Our goal was to categorize and determine the areas of emphasis that a coating inspector, at various certification levels, should be able to answer. The scope of knowledge and the level of expertise of a Basic Coating Inspector and a Certified Coating Inspector was established during our workshop.”

It was a four-day affair, and Jay’s seat on the panel means Atlas currently represents 10% of the global experts who set the industry standard.

Well done, Jay.

The City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering’s $588 million Sixth Street Viaduct replacement project in Los Angeles will join the L.A. Arts District to Boyle Heights. The new bridge, to open later in 2022, replaces a 1932 structure that was retired due to seismic vulnerability and a rare chemical reaction in the cement supports. It is funded by the Federal Highway Transportation Administration and the California Dept. of Transportation, as well as city funds.

The new bridge, dubbed The Ribbon of Light, will include a 2,864‐ft‐long tied‐arch continuous concrete viaduct structure and a 193‐ft-long post‐tensioned, cast‐in‐place, reinforced concrete box girder structure at the west approach. Design was completed by HNTB and Los Angeles architect Michael Maltzan. Construction is led by contractors Skanska Stacy and Witbeck.

Atlas, through its acquired company Alta Vista Solutions, is providing quality management services, engineering assessment and evaluation for quality assurance and verification, materials engineering and investigations, structural steel inspection, testing and analysis, and source inspections.

“The project challenges have been significant,” says Bahjat Dagher, Project Manager with Atlas. Downtown traffic, dealing with Los Angeles River challenges, working over and under active rail lines operated by five agencies, and managing identified and unidentified utility conflicts top the list. Alta Vista Solutions, an Atlas company, has provided continuous support to the City of Los Angeles since 2017 dealing with typical and atypical construction, fabrication, and erection adversity. “We are grateful for the opportunity to provide our services that contribute to this first-class, high-quality structure that we can be proud of for generations to come” says Mr. Dagher.

“We have traveled to remote areas in California, as well as to states like Arizona, Utah, Ohio, Oregon, Missouri, and even Canada to perform source inspection and ensure the high standards of quality are met during fabrication. Our team of specialists help ensure that fabrication processes, welding, coating, material documentation, nondestructive testing and personnel certifications comply with contract requirements. Additionally, the team performs oversight assessment and verification of in-process quality control (QC) testing,” says Mr. Dagher. In addition, Atlas, through Alta Vista Solutions, provided batch plant inspections, field inspections and materials testing for the structural concrete which included the helical ramp and the ten pairs of unique arches. These remarkable features are what will make the Sixth Street Viaduct an iconic piece of the LA skyline.

Published by Engineering News-Record (ENR)
On July 18, 2022

Bridges are an essential part of our nation’s infrastructure. The safe passage of fellow citizens and the efficient delivery of goods and services depends on reliable bridges.  As a trained engineer, my fascination with bridges began very early. I am also painfully aware of the important role bridges play in our daily lives and how much we take them for granted.

Here are some statistics* about US bridges that I found staggering:

• There are more than 617,000 bridges across the US
• 42% of all bridges are at least 50 years old, with the average age being 44 years
• 46,154 are in “poor” condition

Given these alarming facts, I often ask, are we paying enough attention to America’s bridges?

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 178 million daily trips are taken across bridges that are classified in “poor” condition. The cumulative result of this neglect is $125 billion of backlog in bridges requiring repair.

As the nation’s bridges continue to age, each of us is aware of the imminent need to build new and maintain existing bridges. New technologies, more modern materials, innovative evaluation techniques, and pioneering construction methods have provided advances in recent years to meet this challenge.

The new administration’s American Rescue Plan to rebuild our country’s infrastructure includes $631 billion that will fix the most economically significant large bridges in the country. This investment will also repair 10,000 smaller bridges, including those that provide critical connections to rural and tribal communities.

Atlas plays an important role in improving our nation’s bridges and infrastructure. In Georgia, Atlas is replacing a 66-year-old fracture critical steel truss bridge on the State Route 53 at Lake Lanier design build project. Our team developed an innovative design for the replacement bridge that saved $3 million dollars in construction cost. Additionally, we are inspecting and designing structural repairs on significant bridges such as the New York’s Verrazano-Narrows, California’s Golden Gate and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay bridges, helping to extend the lives of these iconic American structures.

Not only are we focused on building and repairing bridges, but Atlas is working to make them more “shovel worthy” – providing much-needed access and mobility for ambulances, fire trucks or school buses. We have teamed with partners to replace posted and deficient bridges across the country with the goal of ensuring safe passage and enabling the economy to thrive. In Texas, Atlas is working on the replacement of the US 181 Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi. The new bridge will accommodate larger ships, be the longest cable-stay bridge in the U.S. and Canada, and the tallest structure in South Texas, when completed. Most recently, we developed plans to replace a bridge posted for weight limitations in Newton County, Georgia over the Yellow River with construction planned for September 2021.

Infrastructure Week is an ideal time to refocus our attention on America’s aging infrastructure and vigorously address this daunting challenge.

I, the Atlas team, our partners, and our entire industry believe NOW is the time to cross this bridge because we’ve come to it!

*ASCE Data

Author:

L. Joe Boyer | CEO of Atlas Technical Consultants