Scott C Nichols Consulting Group Opens in Tucson

Independent, international consulting firm to provide construction materials services to major dam projects in U.S. and globally

TUCSON, Ariz. (September 5, 2012) – Scott C Nichols Consulting Group, LLC, an international consulting firm providing construction materials testing and inspection services to major dam projects in the U.S. and around the globe, has opened in Tucson, Ariz.

The firm was launched by Senior Project Manager Scott Nichols, a Tucson native and former president and co-founder of Tucson-based Fall Line Testing & Inspection. His new independent firm specializes in consulting in mass concrete, Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) and other concrete mix designs used in embankment dams, providing construction materials testing and inspection in the field or lab. Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) work also will be supplied.

“The dam building community and water resources markets are a small but well recognized group of highly talented and motivated men and women from all over the world,” Nichols said. “We look forward to having these people as clients and becoming involved in many of their world-class projects.”

Nichols was instrumental in his former company, Fall Line Testing, gaining its ongoing contract to provide construction material services to the contractor performing work related to the Panama Canal Third Set of Locks Project – the world’s largest civil works project with major international implications to the shipping industry. The first major expansion of the landmark ship canal will create a new 10-mile lane of traffic, double the canal's capacity and allow the transit of longer and wider ships.

Nichols departed Fall Line Testing in June to form his new independent consulting firm. He is planning to hire a staff of highly skilled and certified technicians, including former employees of Fall Line Testing, he said. The firm is presently submitting bids on several projects across the U.S., added Nichols.

“With this new venture we are positioned as a truly independent firm that can interact with clients and take differing approaches to technical problems,” Nichols said. “Our business model will focus less on physical construction materials testing on-site in Tucson but rather in seeking other qualified, cost effective and certified labs to partner with and perform these services. This will enable us to make quick decisions to deliver results on time and within budgets, delivering solid bottom line economics.”

Scott C Nichols Consulting advises on and provides strength and stability testing of RCC and other concrete mix designs used on remote, major projects primarily in the water resources and power generation sectors worldwide.

RCC is a special blend of concrete that has the same strength, durability and ingredients as conventional concrete (cement, water and aggregates), but is much drier. Because it can be placed quickly and easily and the low cement content causes less heat to be generated while curing, RCC is considered ideal for dam construction, replacement and restoration.

Scott C. Nichols Consulting will formally introduce the company and its services at the upcoming Association of State Dam Safety Officials’ Dam Safety 2012 Conference and Exhibit Show on Sept. 16 in Denver. Located in Booth #40, Nichols will reach out to dam professionals and suppliers.

“We are looking forward to this event to roll out our company and discuss the testing services and streamlined processes that we can provide to these major construction projects that bolster the infrastructure of this country and protect our vital waterways,” Nichols said.

As part of his new venture, Nichols said he plans to also achieve his vision of establishing a training center for Civil Engineering Technicians for construction materials testing. The aim is to work with returning military veterans and others, he said, helping them gain new skills that can be put to immediate use in projects rebuilding the U.S. infrastructure.

“There’s nothing like it in the country right now,” Nichols said. “It’s long overdue.”

For more information about Scott C Nichols Consulting Group, contact Nichols at 706-533-5015 or astm698@yahoo.com. The firm is located at 5826 East Fourth St. in Tucson. A company website is under construction.

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Top photo: Panama Canal Third Set of Locks Project

Bottom photo: Scott Nichols' provided services to the Big Cherry Dam project in Virginia