JOIN CONCRETE SCHOOL FOR FREE AT CONCRETESCHOOL.CO! ON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCAST What happens when a concrete maturity system is built on the wrong starting temperature? Seth is joined again by Dr. Jon Belkowitz, also known as Concrete Adamus, to explain why datum temperature is one of the most important and commonly overlooked parts of the maturity method. Jon argues that assuming, ignoring, or defaulting the datum temperature can produce the wrong strength relationship. That...

JOIN THE ACADEMY! VISIT CONCRETESCHOOL.CO TO START LEARNING TODAY. ON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCAST Are we specifying air entrainment in concrete that does not need it? Seth is joined by Dr. Bruno Fong Martinez, Baker Construction’s concrete materials expert, to examine when air entrainment protects concrete and when it creates unnecessary problems. Air entrainment improves durability where concrete experiences repeated freezing, thawing, and moisture saturation. But Bruno argues...

JOIN THE ACADEMY!! FOR A LIMITED TIME, VISIT CONCRETESCHOOL.CO FOR YOUR FREE ACCESS!! CONCRETESCHOOL.CO ON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCAST Should we really design concrete infrastructure for 75 to 100 years? In this episode, Seth is joined by Dr. Jon Belkowitz to question one of civil engineering’s favorite ideas: the 100-year design life. Using Hoboken, New Jersey as the example, Seth and Jon talk about what happens when old infrastructure has to serve a city that no longer looks,...

THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: GPRS GPRS 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/gprs ON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCAST Spring 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 w...

PRESENTED 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 SUM...

PRESENTED BY: CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMY Practical education and ongoing development for concrete professionals at every stage of their career. Join here: https://www.concretelogicacademy.com/ EPISODE SUMMARY You get the 28-day report. It’s low. Now what? In this episode, Seth sits down with Josh Agee, Concrete Quality Assurance Manager at F.A. Wilhelm Construction, to walk through what actually happens when a cylinder comes back below strength. Who do you call first? Is it the mix? The placement...

We design concrete for 75 years. So why are we okay watching it fail in 12 to 24 months? That’s the uncomfortable question Seth Tandett puts on the table with Dr. Jon Belkowitz in this episode. Codes, specifications, and budgets are still written around a 50–75 year design life. But in the field, concrete surfaces are scaling, wearing, and failing in as little as a year or two. Instead of revisiting that original promise, the industry seems stuck reacting to failures instead of asking why they...

Concrete Is Losing on Cost. Here’s How to Take It Back. Concrete keeps getting priced out of jobs, not because it can’t compete, but because we keep doing the same things the same way. In this episode, Seth Tandett sits down with Rich Szecsy to talk about where concrete costs actually come from and why material price increases are only part of the story. They walk through how specs, local codes, labor assumptions, and risk avoidance quietly stack the deck against concrete, even when it’s the b...

Most concrete looks the way it does for one simple reason. We keep designing around the forms we know how to build. In this episode, Seth sits down with Darren Baldwin, President of PIKUS, to break down the real difference between analog formwork and digital formwork—and why that distinction quietly limits what architects, engineers, and contractors think is even possible with concrete. This is not a hype-filled “3D printing is the future” conversation. It’s a practical discussion about where...

Everyone in the concrete world knows the Baker name, but very few know the real story. This episode finally gets it on record. Dan Baker walks through how the company started with three brothers, $500, and a truck that needed a hill to start — and how it grew into ENR’s #1 concrete contractor in America. Dan lays out the moves, the mistakes, the risks, and the mindset shifts required to grow from residential slabs to major industrial, stadiums, and billion-dollar work. If you're trying to scal...

Indiana just told the cement industry it won’t accept any blended cement with more than 10% limestone. That’s a first - and it’s not sitting well with the people who pushed Type IL cement in the first place. For the first time, a state DOT pushed back on Type IL cement—and the industry fired back. Indiana’s Department of Transportation says it’s protecting performance after bridge decks started scaling. The American Cement Association says the DOT’s new limits are unnecessary, confusing, and un...

What if your concrete mix could cut a data center’s power bill by 15%? In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, host Seth Tandett talks with Frank Stankunas Sr., Frank Stankunas Jr., and James Cordeiro from Silverback Concrete about a concept most engineers haven’t thought about—thermal resistivity in concrete. They explain how low rho concrete helps data centers shed heat faster, take pressure off the grid, and extend the life of buried electrical infrastructure. You’ll hear how they’re...

Have we’ve moved from the “Great Resignation” to the “Great Staying Put” era? In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett sits down with Patrick Narron and Parker Jackson to talk about what’s really going on in the construction job market. They cover shifting job-seeker mindsets, geographic mobility, and how to spot real opportunities when the market demands more for the same paycheck. From recruiter strategies to personal career sacrifices, this conversation helps job seekers a...

Mass timber is often promoted as faster, cheaper, and greener—but does it really hold up against concrete? In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, we examine where timber actually competes, where it falls short, and what owners and engineers need to know before choosing it over concrete. From speed and aesthetics to fire ratings, insurance, and durability, this conversation exposes the tradeoffs that get lost in the marketing. What You'll Learn - What exactly qualifies as mass timber, a...

Is Artificial Intelligence coming for your job in concrete? That’s the big question in this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast. Seth sits down with Chad Gill, President of VAs for Construction, to unpack how AI is already reshaping the industry. From jobsite communication and safety talks to project management and career paths, this episode tackles the uncomfortable truth: AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a disruptor. The opportunities are real, but so are the threats. If you’re in concrete and con...

What if the answer to today’s concrete durability and sustainability challenges isn’t new—but something we left behind decades ago? In Episode #129 of the Concrete Logic Podcast, host Seth Tandett talks with Joseph E. Thomas, Executive Director of the Natural Pozzolan Association, about a material used in the Hoover Dam and Roman aqueducts: natural pozzolans. Joseph explains how these natural pozzolans are making a quiet comeback and why they may deserve another look. What You'll Learn: - What...

When concrete fails, who’s really at fault—the material or the people using it? In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, host Seth Tandett is joined by Dr. Jon and Rich to tackle the growing frustrations with Type 1L cement. They ask the hard questions: Is cement the problem? Are the specs off? Or is the industry just cutting corners? The conversation hits on the real-world consequences of poorly defined problems, regional quirks, and the disconnect between American and European concrete ...

Most contractors think warm weather helps speed up a pour—but what if that early strength is fooling you? In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, host Seth Tandett is joined again by concrete chemist Bob Higgins to break down the real effects of high temperatures on concrete strength, durability, and long-term performance. They cover new science on curing, the shocking impact of temperature on cement hydration, and why most current standards are dangerously outdated. If you’re pouring s...

In this episode of the Concrete Logic podcast, host Seth Tandett speaks with Patrick Narron, a talent acquisition specialist at Baker Construction. They discuss strategic career decisions for young professionals aiming for executive roles in concrete construction, the importance of soft skills, and the nuances of navigating career moves. Patrick shares insights on the common paths to leadership positions, the significance of accountability and dependability, and the realities of working in C-sui...

In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett and Bill Kulish delve into the world of Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC). They discuss its unique properties, applications in infrastructure, and the value it brings despite its higher initial cost. The conversation also covers recent testing of UHPC against various projectiles, showcasing its impressive resistance and potential uses in safety applications. Additionally, they address the challenges faced in implementing UHPC stand...

In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett interviews Colin Lobo, the Executive Vice President and Division Head of Engineering at NRMCA. They delve into the differences between prescriptive and performance specifications in concrete, discussing the implications of each on responsibility, compliance, and industry practices. Colin explains the evolution from prescriptive to performance specifications, the challenges of hybrid specifications, and the importance of accurate documen...

In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett and Gary Brown delve into the intricacies of high-rise concrete pumping. They discuss the importance of concrete pumping in urban construction, the challenges faced in high-rise projects, and the role of placing booms in enhancing productivity. The conversation also covers safety considerations, the pros and cons of using placing booms, and the emergence of mobile placing booms. Throughout the discussion, the significance of planning an...

In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth and Chad White discuss best practices for placing and finishing concrete floors. Chad shares insights on the importance of a solid base, the use of vapor retarders, and the critical role of doweling systems for load transfer. They delve into concrete placement techniques, mix design, and various finishing methods to achieve high-quality surfaces. The conversation also covers curing practices, common issues like blisters and delamination, and th...

In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth interviews Richard Williams, Senior Director of Talent for Baker Construction. They discuss the importance of hands-on experience in concrete careers, the growing demand for professionals in the industry, and the impact of technological innovations. Richard shares insights on career paths available in concrete construction and emphasizes the value of field experience in shaping successful careers. Takeaways Hands-on experience is crucial for ...