Podcast
Concrete Logic
Hosted by Seth Tandett · EN
What is the most used manmade material on Earth? You guessed it – concrete.
In each episode of Concrete Logic, we will explore one concrete-related topic with the help of industry professionals that are shaping the future of the trade. We’ll talk with suppliers, contractors, architects, engineers, specialists, and even some proponents of competing materials about their views of concrete and their vision of its future.
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
EP #159: Low-Carbon Concrete? Kiss My Grits. Type I/II Is Back!
2d ago00:27:44Tap to summarizeTHIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: GPRSBefore you cut, core, drill, trench, or start guessing what is inside the slab, call GPRS.GPRS helps contractors locate what is hidden below the surface with ground penetrating radar, utility locating, concrete scanning, video pipe inspection, leak detection, and mapping services.They help keep your jobsite safer, reduce costly hits, and give your team better information before the work starts.Learn more here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/gprsON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCASTThe concrete industry spent the last few years blaming Type IL cement for almost everything.Cracking. Scaling. Low breaks. Slow set times. Higher water demand.Now Type I/II cement may be making a comeback.So what happens when the “bad guy” leaves the room and the same concrete problems are still standing there?Rich Szecsy joins the show to explain what he is seeing in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, why cement suppliers are shifting, and why this move back to Type I/II may expose an uncomfortable truth.Maybe Type IL caused some problems.Maybe it didn’t.But concrete was never problem-free before Type IL showed up.WHAT YOU’LL LEARNIs the cement market really shifting back to Type I/II?Why did Type IL become so common after 2020?What happens when one cement type gets blamed for every concrete problem?Will cracking, scaling, low breaks, and set delays disappear?Why the producer-contractor relationship matters more than internet argumentsHow ready-mix producers may handle Type IL and Type I/II at the same timeWhy the market, not the noise, decides which cement gets usedCHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 01:02 The big topic: Type I/II cement coming back 01:26 How to support the Concrete Logic Podcast 03:34 Rich’s view on the Type IL vs Type I/II shift 04:24 Why Type IL became more available after 2020 05:31 Rich’s 100% placement rate during the supply crunch 06:44 Concrete complaints blamed on Type IL 07:45 What happens if Type I/II returns and problems continue? 09:33 Contractors adjusting to changing cement types 10:07 Micro business needs vs macro industry needs 10:59 Past material changes that caused industry panic 11:24 Why concrete has always had variability 12:28 The old Type I vs Type II confusion 12:43 What cement suppliers are telling customers 13:05 Is the market asking for Type I/II again? 14:00 Why the market decides which cement wins 14:58 How quickly Texas shifted from Type I/II to Type IL 16:08 How ready-mix producers may handle both cement types 16:47 Submittals that allow either Type IL or Type I/II 17:29 Rich’s blunt definition of quality 18:35 Why the producer-contractor relationship matters most 19:51 Jobsite meetings, AI research, and “raspberry” 20:54 Is the Type I/II shift really happening? 21:28 Closing thoughtsGUEST INFORich Szecsy, CEO, Big Town Concrete https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/rich-szecsy/CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMYThe people who understand concrete are the people who get listened to.Not the loudest person in the meeting.Not the guy repeating what he heard ten years ago.Not the person blaming every problem on the latest material change.The person who understands the “why” behind the concrete usually has the most valuable voice in the room.That is what Concrete Logic Academy is built for.You get practical concrete education, PDH courses, and real-world lessons pulled from the same topics we cover on the Concrete Logic Podcast.Cement changes. Specs change. Admixtures change. Owners change their minds.Your knowledge needs to keep up.Start learning here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/concreteschoolSUPPORT THE PODCASTIf the Concrete Logic Podcast gives you value, send a little value back.You can support the show here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/You can also support the show through our KUIU affiliate link: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiuInterested in sponsoring the podcast or working with Concrete Logic Media?Email Seth: seth@concretelogicpodcast.comCREDITSProducers: Jodi Tandett and Concrete Logic MediaMusic by: Mike Dunton https://www.mdunton.com/WHERE TO FIND SETHConcrete Logic Podcast: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/Concrete Logic Academy: https://www.concretelogicacademy.com/Until next time, let’s keep it concrete.
Transcribe →
EP #158: Why New Concrete Fails Faster Than the Old Stuff (And How to Fix It)
2w ago00:25:51Tap to summarizeTHIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: GPRSGPRS helps keep your jobsite safer by locating what is hidden before you cut, core, trench, or drill.Click the GPRS image on the Concrete Logic Podcast website or go here:https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/gprsON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCASTSpring is when concrete starts telling the truth.After months of cold weather, snow, ice, rain, deicers, and freeze-thaw abuse, your existing concrete may start showing what it went through all winter.In this episode, Dr. Jon Belkowitz joins the show to talk about what to look for when the weather warms up. Scaling. Flaking. Blotchy spots. Exposed aggregate. White staining. ASR gel. Rust bleeding from cracks. All of it is concrete trying to tell you something.Some of it may be surface damage.Some of it may be a sign of a much bigger problem inside the concrete.And if you wait until the damage is obvious, you may already be late.WHAT YOU’LL LEARNWhy spring and early summer act like a “lie detector” for existing concreteWhy damaged concrete often looks darker or blotchy after rainWhat scaling, flaking, and surface loss can tell you about winter damageWhy broom finish disappearance may be a warning signHow ASR cracks hold water and reveal themselves after rainWhat white staining and gel coming out of cracks may meanWhy some concrete problems cannot simply be cleaned off or sealed overHow wetting, drying, deicing salts, and outside contaminants can keep feeding deteriorationWhy extending the life of existing concrete may be one of the most practical “green” moves in constructionCHAPTERS00:00 Introduction 02:52 What warm weather reveals about existing concrete 03:39 Concrete as a springtime lie detector 04:26 Why newer concrete may look white, blotchy, or damaged 05:22 Scaling, flaking, and lost broom finish 06:01 Why rain makes concrete damage easier to see 07:10 Why damaged concrete holds water 08:25 Rust, staining, and visible cracks 09:02 Spillways, white streaks, and concrete exudation 10:36 Alkali-carbonate reaction and internal concrete problems 11:27 What “oozing” gel from cracks means 12:43 Why cleaning the surface does not fix internal damage 13:00 Slowing deterioration versus fixing it 14:21 The practical side of reducing concrete’s carbon footprint 15:11 How ASR cracks grow and spread 16:15 ASR research and gel morphology 17:17 Protecting concrete from outside contaminants 18:21 Concrete Logic Academy and PDH reminder 19:39 Closing thoughtsGUEST INFODr. Jon Belkowitz Intelligent Concrete https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/dr-jon-belkowitz/CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMYMost concrete problems do not show up out of nowhere.They start with bad assumptions, missed warning signs, and people not knowing what they are looking at until the problem is already expensive.Concrete Logic Academy was built for the people who want to catch those problems earlier.Practical concrete training. PDH courses. Real-world education from people who actually understand the work.If you want to get better at reading concrete, asking better questions, and spotting issues before they turn into claims, start here:https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/concreteschoolSUPPORT THE PODCASTIf the Concrete Logic Podcast has helped you think differently about concrete, consider supporting the show.You can make a one-time donation, become a monthly supporter, or share the podcast with someone in the industry who needs to hear it.https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/You can also support the show through the KUIU affiliate link:https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiuCREDITSProducers: Jodi Tandett & Concrete Logic Media Music by Mike Dunton: https://www.mdunton.com/WHERE TO FIND SETHConcrete Logic Podcast: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast Concrete Logic Academy: https://www.concretelogicacademy.com/ Until next time, let’s keep it concrete.
Transcribe →
EP #157: Low-Carbon Concrete - Does the Math Actually Work?
3w ago00:39:10Tap to summarizeTHIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: GPRSBefore you cut, core, drill, or excavate, make sure you know what is inside the concrete.GPRS helps contractors locate rebar, conduit, post-tension cables, utilities, and other hidden hazards before they become expensive problems. Their scans help reduce hits, downtime, expenses, and keep your people safe. Learn more here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/gprs ON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCAST Low-carbon cement sounds good on paper. But can it actually compete in the real concrete market without subsidies, mandates, or customers paying a “green premium”? That is the question Seth gets into with Ryan Gilliam, CEO of Fortera. Ryan explains how Fortera’s approach differs from many other low-carbon cement companies by bolting onto existing cement plants, using limestone as the feedstock, and turning CO₂ back into a reactive cementitious product. This conversation gets into the hard part of low-carbon cement: economics, field performance, scaling, ready-mix adoption, policy risk, and whether these products can survive when the market stops caring about the carbon story. Ryan makes the case that the future of low-carbon cement will not be built on guilt, regulation, or good intentions. It has to perform. It has to be cost competitive. And it has to work in the field. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN • Why “green cement” usually makes contractors and producers assume there is a compromise • How Fortera’s technology bolts onto existing cement plants instead of replacing them • Why limestone loses roughly 44% of its weight as CO₂ during traditional cement production • How Fortera claims to turn that CO₂ back into cementitious material • Whether Fortera’s product should be thought of as an SCM, a cement replacement, or a new cement • Why ready-mix producers are skeptical of alternative cements • What field feedback Fortera has received on finishing, flow, pumping, set time, and cracking • Why Ryan does not believe customers will pay large green premiums • How policy changes could impact demand for low-carbon cement • Why carbon capture usually struggles economically • How Fortera’s approach differs from traditional carbon capture and storage • What has to be true for low-carbon cement companies to scale • Why first commercial plants are such a hard step for new cement technologies • Why Ryan believes performance, not carbon marketing, will decide which technologies survive CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Ryan Gilliam and Fortera 03:25 Ryan’s background in materials engineering and cement research 05:20 Fortera’s approach to low-carbon cement 08:28 Is Fortera’s product an SCM or a new cement? 09:23 Blended cement use versus 100% product use 10:33 What is driving demand for low-carbon cement? 13:39 Scaling challenges for new cement technologies 15:43 Field feedback on alternative cement performance 18:58 Type IL rollout, skepticism, and contractor pushback 20:07 Policy risk and whether low-carbon demand depends on regulation 22:18 How Fortera captures CO₂ from limestone 23:07 Why the economics may work 24:41 How this differs from traditional carbon capture 25:45 What cement plants need to adopt the technology 28:07 Fortera’s history and lessons from earlier attempts 29:00 How Fortera may go to market 30:20 Ryan’s main takeaway for the concrete industry 32:09 How to contact Ryan Gilliam GUEST INFO Ryan Gilliam CEO, Fortera Profile: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/ryan-gilliam/ CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMY If you work in concrete and want practical education that actually connects to the jobsite, check out Concrete Logic Academy. This is not theory for the sake of theory. It is concrete education built around the stuff producers, contractors, engineers, and field leaders deal with every day. Specs. Mixes. Placement. Finishing. Troubleshooting. Materials. Durability. Bad assumptions. Costly mistakes. Get access here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/concreteschool SUPPORT THE PODCAST Concrete Logic runs on a value-for-value model. If this episode helped you think through low-carbon cement, alternative cement technology, or what might actually work in the real market, send some value back. Donate here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/ You can also support the show through KUIU: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiu For sponsorship or media opportunities, contact: seth@concretelogicpodcast.com CREDITS Producers: Jodi Tandett & Concrete Logic Media Music: Mike Dunton https://www.mdunton.com/ WHERE TO FIND SETH Concrete Logic Podcast: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/ Like, subscribe, comment, and share the episode with someone in the concrete industry who needs to hear it.(Correction: At the 33:42 mark, Ryan referenced testing that reported a compressive strength of 10,000 psi. After recording, the testing result was later determined to be incorrect. The corrected result was approximately 6,000 psi.)
Transcribe →
EP #156: Is Rebar Killing Your Concrete Schedule?
4w ago00:39:33Tap to summarizeTHIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: GPRSBefore you cut, core, drill, or trench through concrete, know what is inside it.GPRS helps contractors locate rebar, conduit, post-tension cables, voids, and other hidden hazards before they become expensive problems. Their ground-penetrating radar scanning helps reduce hits, downtime, expenses, and keeps your people safe.Learn more here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/gprsON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCASTEveryone wants concrete work done faster.But what if one of the biggest schedule killers is not the pour, the weather, or the labor shortage?What if it starts with the reinforcement choice?In this episode, Seth talks with TJ Lambert of Forta about how reinforcement decisions affect labor, sequencing, inspections, procurement, finishing, mix design, carbon reporting, and overall project speed.They discuss where fiber-reinforced concrete fits, where it does not, and why engineers, producers, and contractors need to think beyond “replace the bar and move on.”WHAT YOU’LL LEARNWhy reinforcement choices can slow a concrete project down before the first truck shows upHow fibers can reduce labor, congestion, inspection steps, and field coordinationThe difference between microfibers, macro synthetic fibers, and steel fibersWhere fiber reinforcement makes sense, and where traditional rebar still belongsHow concrete producers handle fiber dosing at the plant or into the truckWhy fiber-reinforced concrete can help contractors place more mud fasterHow EPDs, LCAs, GWP targets, and Buy America requirements are showing up in reinforcement decisionsWhy finishing fiber-reinforced slabs still depends on timing, mix design, vibration, and field conditionsHow Type IL cement may affect finishing timing, saw cutting, paste, and surface performanceWhat engineers need to know about ACI 544, ACI 360, ACI 330, and ACI 318 when considering fiber designsCHAPTERS00:00 Introduction: Can reinforcement choices kill your schedule? 04:02 What Forta does and how fiber-reinforced concrete fits 05:01 Why reinforcement choices affect schedule more than people realize 08:42 What fibers look like in the field 11:57 Matching fiber type to the right concrete application 13:26 What fiber use means for concrete producers 16:45 Fiber loading, truck mixing, and added time at the plant 17:17 How much time can contractors save by eliminating bar placement? 19:47 EPDs, GWP, and carbon reduction with fiber reinforcement 22:13 Why finishers struggle with some fiber-reinforced slabs 26:43 Type IL cement, paste, timing, and fiber finishing concerns 30:05 Fly ash, slag, mix design complexity, and owner expectations 31:54 What engineers need to understand before using fibers 35:03 TJ’s main takeaway: Start with design, not just substitution 37:06 How to contact TJ LambertGUEST INFOTJ Lambert Sales Engineering Manager, Forta / Helix SteelProfile: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/tj-lambert/Forta website: https://fortacorp.comHelix Steel website: https://helixsteel.comCONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMYConcrete Logic Academy is built for people who actually work with concrete.Not theory for theory’s sake. Not another seminar full of recycled slides. Not some polished presentation from people who have not been near a pour in years.This is practical concrete education for contractors, producers, engineers, architects, QC teams, plant managers, finishers, and anyone else who has to make decisions before the mud hits the ground.If you want to better understand mixes, specs, reinforcement, troubleshooting, field problems, and how to make better calls on real projects, check it out.Start here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/concreteschoolSUPPORT THE PODCASTIf the Concrete Logic Podcast helps you think differently, solve a problem, avoid a mistake, or make a better decision, send some value back.That could be $5. That could be $50. That could be more.The point is simple.If the show is worth something to you, help keep it going.Donate here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.comYou can also support the show through our KUIU affiliate link: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiuInterested in sponsoring the podcast or working with Concrete Logic Media? Email Seth: seth@concretelogicpodcast.comCREDITSProducers: Jodi Tandett & Concrete Logic Media Music by Mike Dunton: https://www.mdunton.com/WHERE TO FIND SETHConcrete Logic Podcast: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/Like, subscribe, comment, and share the episode with someone who works around concrete.
Transcribe →
EP #155: EPDs, Data Centers, and the New Paperwork Hitting Concrete Producers
Apr 3000:33:32Tap to summarizeThis episode is brought to you by GPRS.GPRS helps keep your projects moving by locating what is hidden before you cut, core, drill, or trench. From ground-penetrating radar and utility locating to concrete scanning and 3D laser scanning, GPRS gives contractors better information before work starts.Learn more or request a quote here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/gprsON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCASTReady-mix producers are being asked for EPDs more often, especially on data center and large infrastructure projects.But what are EPDs?Who is asking for them?And why should a small producer care?In this episode, Seth talks with Leise Sandeman, co-founder of Pathways, about Environmental Product Declarations, life cycle assessments, carbon reporting, and how these requirements are starting to affect concrete bids.Leise explains EPDs in plain language: what data goes into them, how cement, aggregate, admixtures, water, fuel, electricity, and transportation all get measured, and why producers should not assume this is only a “green building” paperwork exercise.The big point?EPDs are becoming part of how some owners, GCs, and hyperscale data center companies compare concrete producers.And for smaller ready-mix companies, the risk is not just the carbon number.It is being left out of the bid entirely because they do not have the documentation ready.WHAT YOU’LL LEARNWhat is an EPD?Why are data center owners asking concrete producers for EPDs?How does a life cycle assessment connect to a concrete mix?What data does a ready-mix producer need to create an EPD?Why can two plants from the same producer have different EPD numbers?How much of a concrete EPD is driven by cement?Are owners comparing concrete producers against each other?Why might simply having an EPD help a producer win work in some markets?How could EPDs affect smaller 2-to-10-plant ready-mix operations?Why does Leise think EPDs are becoming more about business than climate messaging?CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro and Concrete Logic Podcast support 03:15 - Who Leise Sandeman is and what Pathways does 03:52 - What is an EPD? 04:35 - Who is asking for EPDs? 05:54 - Where EPDs came from and how LCAs fit in 06:48 - Comparing concrete to other materials and other producers 07:36 - How cement and material supplier data affect EPDs 08:33 - Why EPDs involve a lot of math and manual work 09:07 - Generic EPDs vs producer-specific EPDs 10:09 - The three major data inputs for a concrete EPD 11:24 - Why utility and grid data matter 12:07 - What owners and hyperscalers compare 13:48 - How far the life cycle assessment goes 15:28 - How cement EPDs are built 16:12 - Does the EPD stop at placement? 17:16 - End-of-life questions and future standards 18:42 - Concrete’s carbon footprint vs material volume 20:29 - Why supplier choices can change the EPD number 21:21 - Why smaller producers need a simpler path 23:42 - Where EPD requirements may be heading 24:04 - Why EPD publishing is expected to grow 25:21 - Future inputs, fuels, SCMs, and supplier options 26:34 - How to contact Leise and PathwaysGUEST INFOLeise Sandeman Guest Profile: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/leise-sandeman/CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMYTired of getting your concrete education from a PowerPoint presentation given by some guy who has probably never stepped in mud?Or someone who does not know what diesel smells like next to that first chute of concrete in the predawn darkness?That is why Concrete Logic Academy exists.It is built by people who understand the field, the plant, the jobsite, and the real problems concrete professionals deal with every day.The courses are practical, direct, and built for people who want to apply what they learn right away.Inside the Academy, you get access to PDH courses, quizzes, resources, live Q&A, early access to podcast episodes, and a place to ask concrete questions without throwing them out into the LinkedIn circus.For a limited time, get free access to the Concrete Logic Academy here: https://www.concreteschool.co SUPPORT THE PODCASTThe Concrete Logic Podcast runs on a value-for-value model.If the show gives you something useful, send some value back.Donate here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/Want to support the show another way?Check out KUIU through the Concrete Logic link: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiuInterested in sponsoring the podcast or working with Concrete Logic Media? Email: seth@concretelogicpodcast.comCREDITSHost: Seth Tandett Producers: Jodi Tandett & Concrete Logic Media Music: Mike Dunton https://www.mdunton.com/WHERE TO FIND SETHConcrete Logic Podcast Website: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/Like, subscribe, comment, and share the episode if it helped you understand where EPDs are headed in concrete.
Transcribe →
EP #154: Why Concrete Is on the Critical Path for AI Data Centers
Apr 2100:34:09Tap to summarizePRESENTED BY: GPRS Construction professionals know that utilities and concrete reinforcements can cause big problems when you’re on the job.GPRS helps you avoid them. We use ground penetrating radar to detect rebar, conduit, and post tension cables before you cut, core, or drill.And our concrete scans are 99.8% accurate - we guarantee it - helping you reduce hits, downtime, expenses, and keep your people safe.To keep your jobsite safer, visit: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/GPRSSUMMARYData centers may look like simple boxes, but the race to build them is changing everything for concrete.In this episode, Doug Mouton explains why concrete is still one of the most important materials in the data center boom, even if it is only a small slice of the total cost.He breaks down what is driving the explosion in hyperscale and AI data centers, why projects are moving into rural areas, and why concrete supply, logistics, and mix design need to be thought through much earlier than most teams are used to.This is a big-picture episode, but it gets practical fast.If you work in concrete and want to understand where the data center market is headed and what owners actually want, this one will help.WHAT YOU’LL LEARNWhy data centers are growing so fast right nowWhat a data center actually is and how it worksWhy AI is pushing demand far beyond traditional cloud computingWhy more data centers are being built in rural areasHow labor, materials, and logistics get harder as projects move farther outWhy concrete becomes a critical path item even if it is a small part of total project costWhat hyperscale owners want from concrete suppliers and contractorsWhy speed, cost, and lower embodied carbon are all being pushed at the same timeWhy leaner structural designs may be the easiest way to reduce concrete useWhy concrete supply needs to be planned much earlier on gigascale projectsHow power infrastructure is creating even more demand for concreteWhat future energy storage systems could mean for the concrete industryCHAPTERS00:00 - Intro and Doug Mouton’s background01:20 - How to support the podcast03:20 - Why concrete matters so much to data center growth05:26 - What a data center actually is06:30 - Why cloud computing changed everything08:20 - How AI is driving a second wave of data center demand09:41 - Why more data centers are moving into rural areas11:20 - Rural pushback, trucking, roads, and local disruption12:32 - Why rural projects make labor and materials even harder13:15 - What owners and developers actually want from concrete15:05 - Speed, ESG pressure, and embodied carbon goals16:05 - Why concrete procurement is still too fragmented18:00 - Why concrete suppliers need a seat at the table earlier19:02 - How leaner design can cut carbon, cost, and schedule20:13 - Seth’s skepticism on new low-carbon materials at scale21:39 - Why scale and supply chain reality still matter22:05 - Why concrete planning should start at the very beginning23:32 - How power infrastructure creates even more concrete demand24:05 - Massive towers, gravity batteries, and future energy storage ideas25:00 - Using AI to make steel and rebar design more efficient25:35 - Will data centers get smaller, denser, and stiffer?26:20 - Wrap-up and final thoughtsGUEST INFODouglas Mouton Mouton Advisory Serviceshttps://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/douglas-mouton/ CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMYNeed PDHs that are actually worth your time? The Concrete Logic Academy is built for engineers, contractors, and concrete professionals who want practical training they can actually use - not another boring seminar that gets forgotten by tomorrow. Use it for PDHs. Use it for lunch and learns. Use it to get smarter on concrete without wasting half your day. Real topics. Real field problems. Real conversations. Start your free trial here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/pro SUPPORT THE PODCASTIf this episode helped you... If you learned something... If it made you think differently...Support the show here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/donateThis podcast runs on Value for Value.Give whatever you think the episode was worth.PARTNERSKUIU (performance gear Seth actually uses): https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiuInterested in advertising or working with us? Email: seth@concretelogicpodcast.comCREDITSProducers: Jodi Tandett & Concrete Logic MediaMusic by Mike Dunton: https://www.mdunton.com/WHERE TO FIND CONCRETE LOGICWebsite: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethtandett/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/concretelogicpodcast/
Transcribe →
EP #153: Your Concrete Mix Design Still Isn’t Ready… Until You Do This
Apr 1400:37:00Tap to summarizePRESENTED BY: GPRS Construction professionals know that utilities and concrete reinforcements can cause big problems when you’re on the job. GPRS helps you avoid them. We use ground penetrating radar to detect rebar, conduit, and post tension cables before you cut, core, or drill. And our concrete scans are 99.8% accurate - we guarantee it - helping you reduce hits, downtime, expenses, and keep your people safe. To keep your jobsite safer, visit: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/GPRS SUMMARY Last episode, Dr. Jon Belkowitz walked through how to build a concrete mix design on paper. This episode picks up where that left off. Because a design mix is not the same thing as a batch mix. Dr. Jon breaks down the final adjustments that have to happen before that mix can actually be used in production, including moisture corrections, free water, and admixture dosages. If you have ever wondered how a mix goes from a neat set of numbers on paper to something a plant can actually batch, this episode clears it up. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Why a design mix is not the same as a batch mix How aggregate moisture changes your sand and rock weights What “free water” really means and why it matters How moisture in the aggregates affects water-cement ratio How to calculate the water coming from sand and stone How admixture dosage is calculated from cement content Why admixtures also add water to the mix How to calculate final batch water What the final adjusted batch mix looks like Why contractors and engineers should understand this math even if the plant computer does it for them CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro and how to support the show 02:15 - Why people are actually using the podcast on the job 02:36 - Concrete Logic Academy and PDHs 03:36 - Picking up where the last mix design episode ended 04:22 - What has to change to move from design mix to batch mix 05:44 - The project assumptions for this slab mix 06:28 - Where moisture content and absorption values come from 08:13 - Adjusting sand weight for moisture 10:54 - Adjusting rock weight for moisture 12:05 - What free water is and why it affects your mix 13:24 - Calculating free water from the sand 14:33 - Calculating free water from the rock 15:24 - Admixture dosage explained 16:16 - Calculating admixture ounces per cubic yard 17:28 - Calculating how much water the admixture brings 18:47 - Final batch water calculation 19:34 - Final adjusted batch mix 20:38 - What happens next at the plant 21:03 - Why admixtures are mostly water 24:51 - Withholding water and adjusting slump at the plant 26:53 - How admixture dispensing systems work 29:25 - Wrap-up and what to cover next time GUEST INFODr. Jon Belkowitz Intelligent Concrete Website: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/intelligent-concrete CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMY Got a concrete problem no one can explain? Bring it to the Concrete Logic Academy. Ask questions. Share what you’re seeing. Get real answers you can use on the next pour. Simple as that. Free trial for pros here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/pro SUPPORT THE PODCAST If this episode helped you... If you learned something... If it made you think differently... Support the show here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com This podcast runs on Value for Value. Give whatever you think the episode was worth. PARTNERS KUIU (performance gear Seth actually uses): https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiu Interested in advertising or working with us? Email: seth@concretelogicpodcast.com CREDITS Producers: Joseph Swann, Jodi Tandett & Concrete Logic Media Music by Mike Dunton: https://www.mdunton.com/ WHERE TO FIND CONCRETE LOGIC Website: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethtandett/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/concretelogicpodcast/
Transcribe →
EP #152: Concrete Mix Design Isn’t Complicated… Here’s the Proof
Apr 200:49:03Tap to summarizePRESENTED BY: GPRS Construction professionals know that utilities and concrete reinforcements can cause big problems when you’re on the job. GPRS helps you avoid them. We use ground penetrating radar to detect rebar, conduit, and post tension cables before you cut, core, or drill. And our concrete scans are 99.8% accurate… we guarantee it—helping you reduce hits, downtime, expenses, and keep your people safe. To keep your jobsite safer, visit https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/GPRS SUMMARYIf you’ve never built your own concrete mix design… this episode fixes that.Dr. Jon Belkowitz walks through the ACI 211 method step-by-step, showing exactly how a mix is built from scratch.By the end, you’ll see that mix design isn’t magic.It’s just decisions… and a little math.WHAT YOU’LL LEARNWhat actually goes into a cubic yard of concrete — and why it mattersWhy mix design is basically a “choose your own adventure”How slump, aggregate size, and air content drive your entire mixThe simple math behind water-cement ratio (and why it controls everything)How to calculate cement, water, rock, and sand — step by stepWhy yield matters (and how getting it wrong costs real money)The difference between a design mix vs batch mixWhat changes when moisture shows up in your aggregates (this comes up near the end) CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro and how to support the show 02:20 – Shoutout to this episode’s Producer 03:00 – Why PDHs should actually be useful 05:20 – What is a cubic yard of concrete? 06:30 – Absolute volume method explained 09:50 – ACI 211 and “choose your own adventure” 13:30 – Selecting slump, water, and air content 17:00 – Adjusting water for admixtures 19:00 – Water-cement ratio and strength 21:00 – Aggregate proportions and why they matter 25:30 – Start of the actual math 31:30 – Calculating coarse aggregate 34:00 – Converting weights to volumes 36:30 – Solving for sand (the missing piece) 39:30 – Final mix design breakdown 40:10 – Design mix vs batch mix (what’s next) GUEST INFODr. Jon Belkowitz Intelligent Concrete Website: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/intelligent-concreteCONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMYGot a concrete problem no one can explain?Bring it to the Concrete Logic Academy.Ask questions. Share what you’re seeing. Get real answers you can use on the next pour.Simple as that. Free trial for pros here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/pro SUPPORT THE PODCASTIf this episode helped you…If you learned something…If it made you think differently…Support the show here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.comThis podcast runs on Value for Value.Give whatever you think the episode was worth. PARTNERSKUIU (performance gear Seth actually uses): https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiuInterested in advertising or working with us? Email: seth@concretelogicpodcast.com CREDITSProducers: Joseph Swann, Jodi Tandett & Concrete Logic MediaMusic by Mike Dunton: https://www.mdunton.com/WHERE TO FIND CONCRETE LOGICWebsite: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethtandett/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/concretelogicpodcast/
Transcribe →
EP #151: Most Concrete Durability Problems Start Here (Alkalinity Explained)
Mar 2400:46:53Tap to summarizePRESENTED BY: GPRS Construction professionals know that utilities and concrete reinforcements can cause big problems when you’re on the job. GPRS helps you avoid them. We use ground penetrating radar to detect rebar, conduit, and post tension cables before you cut, core, or drill. And our concrete scans are 99.8% accurate… we guarantee it—helping you reduce hits, downtime, expenses, and keep your people safe.To keep your jobsite safer, visit https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/GPRS SUMMARYConcrete strength gets all the attention.But what if the real driver of concrete performance isn’t strength at all?In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Bob Higgins returns to talk about alkalinity — the chemical environment inside concrete that may control moisture behavior, curing, permeability, and long-term durability.Bob explains why alkalinity is often confused with pH, why salts inside concrete can trap moisture that testing methods never see, and why modern cement chemistry may be quietly changing how concrete cures and performs.If you’ve ever wondered why concrete behaves differently today than it did decades ago, this conversation will make you think.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN· What alkalinity actually means in concrete chemistry · Why pH and alkalinity are not the same thing · The two alkaline salts that control moisture behavior in concrete · Why salts can trap moisture that RH tests can’t detect · How high alkalinity can lead to permeable, weaker surface concrete · The difference between porosity and permeability · Why precast heat curing can change long-term durability · Why compressive strength often fails as a durability indicator · How cement kiln dust may have increased alkalinity in modern cementCHAPTERS00:00 Introduction 02:20 What alkalinity means in concrete 03:10 Why salts control moisture behavior 07:40 Why RH probes can miss trapped moisture 10:20 Calcium hydroxide vs sodium hydroxide 14:00 Self-desiccation and modern cement chemistry 18:00 Where alkalinity in concrete comes from 23:30 Signs of high alkalinity in concrete 24:00 Why precast surfaces can be more permeable 26:00 Porosity vs permeability explained 29:00 Why compressive strength can mislead durability 31:20 Why sealers often fail long term 33:00 Alkali-silica reaction explained 35:00 Why alkalinity isn’t being studied enough 38:00 Why RH specifications often don’t make sense 39:00 Preview: additional forms of moisture in concrete GUESTBob HigginsChief Scientisthttps://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/robert-higgins/ CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMYIf you like what you’re learning on the podcast, the Concrete Logic Academy Unlimited Pro Membership is where it all comes together.We take the topics you hear on the show and turn them into structured courses—with real explanations, supporting material, and quizzes so you actually retain it.Most people in this industry learn by trial and error.This is how you get ahead without paying for mistakes.Many courses qualify for PDHs and CEUs.Start your free trial here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/pro SUPPORT THE PODCASTIf the Concrete Logic Podcast has helped you learn something new or connect with someone in the industry, consider supporting the show.Donate here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/supportLooking for great hunting or work gear: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiuInterested in advertising or media services? https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/partner-with-concrete-logic-podcast/ CREDITSProducers: Jodi Tandett, Concrete Logic MediaMusic by Mike Dunton https://www.mdunton.com/ WHERE TO FIND SETHWebsite: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethtandett/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcastUntil next time, let’s keep it concrete!
Transcribe →
EP #150: Most Concrete Floors Aren’t Flat Enough. Here’s Why.
Mar 1200:51:03Tap to summarizePRESENTED BY: CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMY Practical education and ongoing development for concrete professionals at every stage of their career. Join here: https://www.concretelogicacademy.com/Superflat concrete floors didn’t just appear overnight.They evolved through decades of trial, error, and innovation.In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Chad White from Structural Services Inc. (SSI) returns to explain how the industry went from checking floors with a 10-foot straightedge to producing high-tolerance floors for robotics, automated warehouses, and high-bay storage systems.Chad has more than 40 years of experience in concrete construction, starting as a cement mason apprentice before running his own company and later becoming a senior concrete consultant with SSI. He has worked on defined-traffic superflat floors, random-traffic high-tolerance slabs, suspended slabs, and industrial floor systems across the country.We talk about how the means and methods have changed, what actually defines a “superflat” floor, and why today’s demands for automation and robotics are pushing tolerances tighter than ever.If you’ve ever wondered how contractors actually hit FF, FL, and F-min numbers, this episode explains the real-world process behind it.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN· What actually qualifies as a superflat concrete floor· How floors were measured before the F-number system· Why laser screeds and float pans changed everything· The difference between defined-traffic (F-min) and random-traffic floors· Why robotics and automated warehouses are demanding flatter floors· Where most grinding corrections occur on high-tolerance slabs· Why slump consistency and placement rate matter more than exotic mix designs· How laser scanning and real-time data could change floor flatness control in the futureCHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and episode overview02:40 Early methods for measuring floor flatness05:15 How superflat floors started in warehouse logistics08:40 Measuring FF, FL, and F-min floors12:00 The history of the F-number system16:30 How superflat floors were built in the 1980s22:00 Bump cutting and manual finishing methods28:30 Profilographs and corrective grinding31:00 High-tolerance random traffic floors34:00 Laser screeds and float pans change the industry37:00 Modern methods for producing flatter floors39:00 Mix design considerations for superflat slabs42:00 The future of floor flatness measurementGUESTChad White Structural Services Inc. (SSI)https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/chad-white/CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMYIf you enjoy the educational side of the podcast, check out the Concrete Logic Academy.The Academy takes topics from the podcast and turns them into structured learning courses with quizzes and supporting material. Many courses qualify for PDHs and CEUs for engineers and industry professionals.Learn more here:https://www.concretelogicacademy.comSUPPORT THE PODCASTIf the Concrete Logic Podcast has helped you learn something new or connect with someone in the industry, consider supporting the show.Donate here:https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/supportLooking for great hunting gear: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiuInterested in advertising or media services? seth@concretelogicpodcast.comCREDITSProducers: Scott Reed, Jodi Tandett, Concrete Logic MediaMusic by Mike Duntonhttps://www.mdunton.com/WHERE TO FIND SETHWebsite: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethtandett/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcastUntil next time, let’s keep it concrete!
Transcribe →