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ON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCAST
Does exterior concrete always need entrained air to survive freezing and thawing?
Seth is joined by Jason Adams, founder and CEO of Mega Slab, to challenge that long-standing practice. Jason argues that a properly designed, highly dense concrete system may limit water intrusion enough to reduce the need for entrained air.
Seth presses on the risks, including mix design, workability, finishing, curing, and specification requirements. Jason makes clear that he is not recommending contractors simply remove air from a standard mix. His approach depends on treating the concrete as a complete system.
The episode asks a practical question: Should exterior concrete be designed to give freezing water room to expand, or should the priority be keeping water out in the first place?
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• What air entrainment is intended to do during freeze-thaw exposure
• The difference between entrained air and naturally entrapped air
• Why Jason believes entrained air can reduce concrete density
• How dense concrete may limit water and chloride intrusion
• Why removing air from a standard exterior mix is not enough
• How aggregate packing and optimized mix designs affect permeability
• Why air-entrained concrete should not be hard-trowel finished
• How entrained air can affect workability and finishing
• Why specifications and established practices may resist this approach
• What field performance Jason has observed in Midwestern pavements
• Why mix design, placement, finishing, curing, and fibers must work as a system
CHAPTERS
(00:00) Introduction and support for the show
(03:24) Jason Adams and the air-void question
(04:56) Freeze-thaw testing and ASTM standards
(05:46) What air entrainment is designed to do
(07:26) Jason challenges the traditional approach
(08:52) Can dense concrete keep water out?
(11:37) Designing a mix without entrained air
(12:58) Why air-entrained concrete should not be troweled
(14:47) A problematic exterior pavement example
(16:23) Seth asks about the tradeoffs
(17:49) Workability, finishing, and industry pushback
(20:06) Protecting the concrete surface
(22:01) Why this must be treated as a complete system
(23:24) How to connect with Jason Adams
GUEST INFO
Jason Adams
Founder and CEO
Mega Slab
Guest link:
https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/jason-adams/
CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMY
The people who understand concrete are the people who get listened to.
Not the loudest person in the meeting.
Not the person saying, “We have always done it this way.”
The person who understands why air, water, density, finishing, and curing affect performance usually has the most valuable voice in the room.
That is what Concrete Logic Academy is built for.
You get practical concrete education, professional-development courses, and real-world lessons connected to the topics covered on the Concrete Logic Podcast.
Start learning here: https://concreteschool.co
SUPPORT THE PODCAST
If 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 the KUIU affiliate link:
https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiu
Interested in sponsoring the podcast or working with Concrete Logic Media?
Email Seth: seth@concretelogicpodcast.com
CREDITS
Producers: Jodi Tandett and Concrete Logic Media
Music by: 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/
Concrete Logic Academy:
https://www.concretelogicacademy.com/
Until next time, let’s keep it concrete.
