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…
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…
In this clip from Episode #126 of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett points out how the industry’s shift to Type IL cement is still rooted in a foundational 2011 report. Even the 2024 update leans heavily on the original. If you’re relying on the latest specs without ever reading…
In this clip from Episode #126 of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett uncovers a warning buried in a key PLC report: when limestone content isn’t properly optimized, concrete strength can drop—sometimes significantly. The report even includes a figure showing how excess limestone and poor fineness control lead to reduced…
In this clip from Episode #126 of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett breaks down a major difference in how Europe and the U.S. enforce moist curing practices—especially when Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) is involved. Countries like Germany and the Netherlands strictly enforce 7-day wet curing for public infrastructure. Meanwhile,…
In this clip from Episode #126 of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett highlights a major concern buried in one of the key reports used to promote Portland Limestone Cement (PLC). The report’s own chart shows that as limestone content increases, so does carbonation depth—especially when water-to-cement ratios stay the…
Everyone talks about the benefits of Portland Limestone Cement—but what if the same report that justified the switch also warned us about the risks? In this 5-minute clip from Episode #126 of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett unpacks the State-of-the-Art Report on Use of Limestone in Cement—a foundational document…
In this clip from Episode #126 of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett uncovers a buried detail from one of the most cited reports used to justify the switch to Portland Limestone Cement (PLC). The report shows concrete made with PLC shrinks about 17% more than concrete made with traditional…
In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett breaks down the 2010 “State-of-the-Art Report on Use of Limestone in Cements” that helped launch Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) into the U.S. market. You’ll hear what the report got right, what it left out, and why Europe’s cement playbook may…
In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett breaks down the 2010 “State-of-the-Art Report on Use of Limestone in Cements” that helped launch Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) into the U.S. market. You’ll hear what the report got right, what it left out, and why Europe’s cement playbook may…
Bob Higgins warns that focusing only on compressive strength misses the real durability killers hiding at the concrete’s surface in real-world conditions.
Bob Higgins explains how cooler curing slows early strength but leads to far stronger concrete by 365 days—changing how we should judge mix performance.
Bob Higgins reveals how the center of concrete becomes adiabatic—locking in heat and moisture—and why this defies common assumptions about water movement.
Bob Higgins breaks down how autogenous healing works in concrete—and why today’s rush for speed is killing its self-repair potential.
Bob Higgins explains how surface permeability is the weak link in concrete, letting in water, salts, and other materials that lead to long-term damage.
Concrete chemist Bob Higgins explains why slower, colder curing can lead to higher long-term strength—even if 28-day results look weak.
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,…
What You'll Learn in This Episode: * Is your summer concrete secretly sabotaging long-term strength? * What actually happens to cement hydration when concrete gets too hot? * Can high early strength be misleading—and even dangerous? * Why is the surface of your slab the weakest link in hot weather…
Greg Fricks tells it like it is in this clip from Episode #124 of the Concrete Logic Podcast: if anything goes wrong with the concrete—cracks, delamination, color issues—the contractor gets the first call. Even if you followed the specs to the letter. And if you changed the design? Your liability…
In this jaw-dropping clip from Episode #124 of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Greg Fricks shares a real-world example of how a sudden Texas heatwave turned a solid concrete placement into a nightmare. If you're using a proprietary mix and don’t know how it reacts to extreme weather swings—you’re playing with…
Greg Fricks lays it out clearly in this clip from Episode #124 of the Concrete Logic Podcast: just because your one-year concrete warranty ends doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. That slab carries your name for the life of the building. Ignore a failure, and your brand pays the price.
In this clip from Episode #124 of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Greg Fricks warns contractors about blindly adopting proprietary concrete systems. What works in Chicago won’t always work in California. Before you sign up—or worse, pay an initiation fee—make sure you’ve done your homework on both the system and your…
In this short clip from Episode #124 of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Greg Fricks explains how concrete contractors slowly become numb to the massive risks they take on every single job.
Thinking about designing your own concrete slab—or taking on a proprietary system? You better know what you're signing up for. In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett talks with Greg Fricks, CEO of the Fricks Company, about the risks contractors face when they step into the design…