In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth and Dr. Jon Belkowitz discuss the concrete construction maturity method. The maturity method is an estimation technique that predicts in-place concrete strength based on temperature and time. It involves determining the datum temperature and activation energy, developing maturity curves in the laboratory, and placing maturity meters in concrete elements in the field. The conversation emphasizes the importance of proper preparation and understan...
Aug 22, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 96
In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth interviews Shaun Lane, founder and president of NanoCrete, about the use of graphene in concrete. They discuss the potential of graphene as a wonder material and its ability to improve the performance of concrete. Shaun explains that graphene is a carbon nanomaterial made up of carbon atoms linked together atomically in a two-dimensional configuration. He highlights the benefits of graphene in concrete applications, such as increased adhesion, ...
Aug 15, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 95
In this episode of the Concrete Logic podcast, Seth interviews Kevin Cavanaugh from Arcosa Lightweight Aggregates about lightweight concrete. They discuss the history and types of lightweight aggregates, the advantages of using lightweight concrete, and the special considerations for handling and finishing lightweight concrete. They also touch on the use of lightweight concrete in response to the challenges of Type 1L cement. Overall, the conversation highlights the benefits and misconceptions s...
Aug 06, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 94
In this episode, Dr. Jon Belkowitz and Seth discuss colloidal silica and its various applications in the concrete industry. Dr. Jon highlights the differences between colloidal silica and silicates, emphasizing the benefits of using colloidal silica as a densifier and for surface treatments. He also mentions the ongoing efforts to create an ASTM standard for colloidal silica. The conversation touches on the importance of performance testing and the potential long-term impact of using colloidal s...
Jul 25, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 93
In this episode, Seth interviews Mike Hernandez, the Technical Director of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), about a survey they conducted on Portland Limestone Cement (PLC). The survey aimed to understand the challenges and differences contractors were experiencing when using PLC compared to traditional cement mixes. Mike discusses the survey results, which showed increased water demand and set times, as well as changes in plastic and hardened properties. He explains that the...
Jul 18, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 92
In this episode, Seth interviews Rich Szecsy, an executive in the concrete supply industry. They discuss the recent change in the batch time for concrete from 90 minutes to 120 minutes. Rich explains the history behind the 90-minute time limit and the lack of scientific justification for it. He emphasizes the importance of considering the practicality and sustainability of construction methods. They also touch on the topic of temperature specifications for concrete and the need for a more nuance...
Jul 09, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 91
In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast Seth welcomes back to the show Bill Kulish with Steelike, Inc. Bill explains the unique properties of UHPC, its durability, and its resistance to temperature variations. The conversation also covers the cost and quality control of UHPC compared to traditional concrete. The conversation delves into the differences between traditional concrete and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), highlighting the ingredients, handling, and performance of each. I...
Jun 27, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 90
In this episode, Seth interviews Alex Hall, CEO of Concrete AI, to discuss the impact of AI on the concrete industry. They explore the use of AI in concrete design, material optimization, and the challenges of carbon reduction. Alex shares insights on the future of concrete technology and its global impact. Takeaways AI is revolutionizing the concrete industry by enabling material optimization and carbon reduction. The use of AI in concrete design allows for predictive modeling of concrete perfo...
Jun 18, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 89
In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth interviews Gary Brown, a business development professional with 47 years of experience in the concrete pumping industry. They discuss the introduction to concrete pumping, its various types, operation, impact on concrete mix design, and safety considerations. Gary also shares insights on the American Concrete Pumping Association's safety initiatives and the lucrative career opportunities in concrete pumping. Takeaways Concrete pumping is a vers...
Jun 04, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 88
In this Concrete Logic Podcast episode, Seth and Robert Higgins discuss the importance of curing concrete properly and the impact it has on the durability and sustainability of concrete. They highlight the historical practices of curing and how they have not evolved to keep up with changes in concrete composition. They also discuss the effects of temperature on curing and the role of alkalinity in concrete. The conversation emphasizes the need for improved curing practices to ensure the longevit...
May 21, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 87
In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth and Dan McCoy discuss the maintenance and funding of bridges in the United States. They address questions about the responsibility of bridge maintenance, the allocation of government resources, and the challenges of maintaining bridges over time. They also compare the maintenance requirements of bridges and tunnels, highlighting the environmental factors that affect each structure. Additionally, they explore the process of replacing a bridge fo...
May 07, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 86
In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth and Dr. Belkowitz answer questions from students at Virginia Tech about concrete mix design. They discuss the role of aggregate size in a mix design, its impact on the cost and control of the concrete, and the importance of a well-graded gradation. They also touch on the use of recycled concrete aggregate and its potential effects on the hydration process. The conversation highlights the economic and technical considerations involved in selecti...
Apr 25, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 85
In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, host Seth Tandett answers questions from students at Virginia Tech about career advice and the inspiration behind the podcast. He discusses the benefits of staying with one company for a long time and finding a good fit in terms of culture and values. Seth also shares the five laws of stratospheric success from the book 'The Go-Giver' and highlights the variety and unique aspects of the concrete industry. He concludes by inviting listeners to visit ...
Apr 18, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 84
In this episode, Seth interviews Leo Zhang, a virtual construction manager and chair of ACI 117 subcommittee 117 L, who discusses using laser scanning in concrete construction. He explains that laser scanning is a form of reality capture that uses an optical instrument to collect dimensional information and create a 3D point cloud model. Laser scanning is used in various stages of construction, including pre-construction planning, quality assurance, and as-built documentation. While laser scanni...
Apr 11, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 83
In this episode, Seth interviews Simon Tippel from Phoenix Concrete Works. Simon specializes in decorative concrete, including countertops, fire bowls, wall claddings, and more. They discuss the advantages of concrete countertops over other materials, such as customization and flexibility. Simon also explains the different reinforcement and technologies used in his work, including glass fiber and post-tensioning. They touch on the importance of precast vs. cast-in-place methods and the various s...
Apr 04, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 82
In this Concrete Logic Podcast episode, Aaron Fisher discusses the importance of engaging with sustainability in the concrete industry. He highlights the need for concrete professionals to be part of the conversation and influence the rules and regulations being developed. Aaron explains how the focus on CO2 emissions has led to an oversimplification of sustainability and the need to consider other factors such as water usage, fire resistance, and durability. He emphasizes the importance of pres...
Mar 28, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 81
In this Concrete Logic Podcast episode, Seth and Dan discuss nuclear power and its connection to the concrete industry. They address public perception of nuclear power, the efficiency of nuclear energy, and the challenges of other energy sources like hydroelectric, wind, and solar power. They also explore the concerns about nuclear power, including waste management and accidents. Dan explains the storage and management of nuclear waste and highlights the potential of future reactor designs that ...
Mar 21, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 80
In this Concrete Logic podcast episode, Seth interviews Dan McCoy from R.L. McCoy about the life cycle of bridges and the importance of bridge maintenance. They discuss the process of maintaining bridges over time, including inspections, repairs, and replacements. Dan explains the challenges of designing and maintaining bridges in a changing world, with increasing traffic volumes and evolving transportation needs. They also touch on the role of bridges in supporting commerce and the need for con...
Mar 14, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 79
In this episode, Seth interviews Jim Kaylor from Durability Consultants about ASTM F6 and ASTM F710. They discuss the role of ASTM in the construction industry and the slow process of developing standards. They also delve into the issue of moisture in resilient flooring and the limitations of ASTM F710. Jim shares his insights on proposed changes to the standard and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and coordination between different stakeholders. They conclude by highlighting the signi...
Feb 22, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 78
In this episode, Seth interviews Neel Khosa from AMSYSCO, a post-tensioning supplier, to introduce post-tensioning and its history. Post-tensioning is a form of concrete reinforcement that uses high-strength steel cables inside concrete. It is about five times stronger than conventional rebar and is used in pre-stressed concrete. Unbonded post-tensioning is the standard for high-rise construction and large concrete structures in the US. The advantages of post-tensioning include material savings,...
Feb 15, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Summary In this episode of Concrete Logic, Seth interviews Dr. Aaron Fisher to discuss the use of fiberglass rebar (GFRP) as an alternative to steel rebar in concrete construction. He explains the fabrication process and the sizes available for GFRP. The advantages of GFRP over steel rebar include higher tensile strength, lighter weight, corrosion resistance, and sustainability. However, the adoption of GFRP is still limited due to the need for education and code updates. Dr. Fisher also highlig...
Feb 08, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 76
Summary In this episode, Seth interviews Robert Higgins, a flooring concrete consultant specialist, about the issue of moisture in old concrete. Robert explains that moisture in older concrete is caused by a condition called ionic dew point, where particles migrate to the surface due to diffusion, not moisture migration. He emphasizes the importance of addressing older concrete differently and recommends grinding off the surface to remove accumulated salts. Robert also discusses the acclimation ...
Feb 01, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 75
Summary In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Kyle Kammer from Concrete Strategies and Seth discuss the challenges and troubleshooting methods related to Type 1L cement. The conversation covers the reasons why Type 1L cement is a popular topic in the concrete industry and the challenges of using it across different locations. Kyle shares insights into the issues of differential set and cracking, as well as the importance of communication and material variability. The discussion also exp...
Jan 25, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 74
Summary In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Dr. Jon Belkowitz discusses the lack of accountability among civil engineers in the concrete industry. He highlights the disconnect between the design and implementation of concrete structures, with civil engineers often not present on job sites and lacking knowledge of concrete mix design. Dr. Belkowitz emphasizes the need for engineers to take responsibility for their designs and be held accountable for failures. He suggests that insurance...
Jan 18, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 73
In this Concrete Logic Podcast episode, Seth interviews Dave Mulcahey from GPRS about concrete sawing and drilling technology and the importance of safety in the industry. They discuss the major technology for scanning concrete: ground penetrating radar (GPR). Dave explains that GPRS uses GPR to locate post-tension cables, electrical conduits, and rebar in or below concrete to ensure safe sawing and drilling. They also talk about Concrete Sawing and Drilling Safety Week, an annual event dedicate...
Jan 11, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 72
In this Concrete Logic Podcast episode, Seth interviews Darren Baldwin, the president of Pikus 3D, a 3D printing company in the construction industry. They discuss the unique approach of Pikus 3D, which focuses on commercial applications of 3D printing in construction. Darren explains that their stationary, climate-controlled facility allows for larger, more complex prints, such as architectural facades and themed structures. They also discuss the advantages of 3D printing, including speed, desi...
Jan 04, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 71
In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, host Seth talks to Sam Lines from ConSeal about microbial-induced concrete corrosion, particularly in the sewer system. They discuss various ways to mitigate this, including using antimicrobials and the potential consequences for failing to do so. Sam highlights the importance of designing sewer systems well, considering factors such as expected mass loss and humidity levels. He also talks about current research and potential future technologies tha...
Jan 03, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Summary In this Concrete Logic Podcast episode, Dean Craft discusses the topic of concrete moisture vapor emissions. He explains that moisture vapor emissions occur when residual moisture in concrete is released and can cause adhesive bond failures and other issues. Dean emphasizes the importance of addressing moisture vapor emissions early in the construction process and suggests proactive approaches such as using concrete mixes with admixtures to mitigate moisture. He also highlights the limit...
Dec 21, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 69
In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth interviews Jason Adams from Megaslab, a technology company focused on optimizing concrete design and reducing material usage. They discuss the concept of jointless slabs and how Megaslab has evolved to offer a range of unique features. Jason highlights the industry's commitment to sustainability and reducing embodied carbon in concrete. They also explore the challenges and misconceptions in the industry and the need for innovation in concrete t...
Dec 14, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Get ready for an illuminating episode of Concrete Logic! Our host Seth sits down with Mark Chase from RPX Technologies to delve into the world of maturity meters in construction. Discover the science behind these game-changers, and how they’re revolutionizing concrete construction! Mark shares insider tips on how to use these tools to boost efficiency and hit project deadlines. Calibration and testing? We’ve got you covered. From post-tensioning to formwork removal, learn how maturity meters are...
Dec 07, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 67
