For over two decades, our experimental work has fueled innovation, validated design practices, and spurred the growth of new analytical techniques world-wide. We are at the forefront of research on blast effects, process safety, and structural response to impulsive loading. To maintain this position, we operate two large-scale test laboratories: the Wilfred E. Baker Test Facility located in La Vernia, Texas and the Box Canyon Test Facility near Uvalde, Texas. Our metallurgical and combustion laboratory is located in our San Antonio corporate office.
Wilfred E. Baker Test Facility
The 160-acre site located 30 miles southeast of San Antonio includes a 9,800 sq. ft. high-bay test building, which houses one of the largest and most fully featured Shock Tubes in the world. The WEBTF is the home of multidisciplinary testing teams evaluating high speed projectile behavior, flammable material dispersion, and jet fire. The teams also conduct custom / specialty testing and experiments for clients world-wide, including litigation support.
The site provides various test apparatus for client needs, including:
- Underwater High Pressure Release Test Pad
- Drop-Test Apparatus
- Severe-Load Static Test Apparatus
- Vapor Cloud Explosion Test Pad
BakerRisk can design custom solutions leveraging these resources for even the most demanding and complex test programs, including product development. Full engineering consulting services are available.
Box Canyon
The 2,300-acre Box Canyon Test Facility (BCTF), named for its unique topography, is located about 100 miles west of San Antonio, Texas in Kinney County. The BCTF is BakerRisk’s largest test facility and supports vapor cloud explosion (VCE) tests, deflagration load generator (DLG) tests, and many other one-off type tests (jet fire, pool fire, dispersions, etc.) in support of research and litigation.
Common types of testing include:
All site apparatus can be operated from our control room building. There are also large open-space areas within the BCTF that can be utilized for other potential test programs.
Materials Testing Lab
Our materials engineering and evaluation services are supported by a materials laboratory in the San Antonio office that can perform metallurgical analysis or other specialized laboratory tests using optical and scanning electron microscopes (x-ray spectroscopy, ultrasonic thickness gauges, hardness testing) plus other state-of-the-art tools.
The 1,000 square foot BakerRisk laboratory is located in the San Antonio office building, allowing convenient access by staff to the test facilities.
Common types of testing include:
- Materials Engineering and Metallurgical Analysis
- Combustion Tests
- Chemical and Special Tests
The laboratory is divided into three areas: an optical and SEM microscope room, a mechanical and preparation room, and a general test room. Three NFPA, flammable-rated chemical storage cabinets ensure safe storage of chemicals and samples.