Webinars Archive

While concrete is the world’s foremost construction material, it doesn’t come without the occasional issue. In this presentation, we will review types of concrete defects, evaluate the causes for each of those failures, and provide recommendations for the optimum mitigation or repairs. Additionally, we will cover communication between all parties involved – from the subcontractor to the Owner. Show less

Concrete pumping relies on properties of the concrete that are not well described by the slump test. Those issues that affect bleeding and water demand are also major impact on the performance of concrete, including the fineness of the cement. Starting with the description of the performance of concrete from a fluid mechanics point of view, and applying the methods of fluid mechanics, practical solutions can be developed for common pumping problems. Measuring standard properties of the concrete can allow prediction of pumpability of mixtures as well as to design mixtures for pumping. Show less

Proper surface preparation is the foundation of successful concrete repair. This presentation breaks down the key elements of surface prep, from selecting the right tools and equipment to understanding how repair geometry and material selection impact long-term performance. Attendees will learn best practices for cleaning, profiling, and evaluating repair areas, as well as how to match materials to site conditions and repair objectives. Whether you're a contractor, engineer, or inspector, this session will provide practical guidance to ensure your next repair project starts—and ends—on solid ground. Show less

Architectural concrete, with its versatility and aesthetic appeal, is revolutionizing the way we approach modern building construction. This presentation explores the entire lifecycle of planning and executing architectural concrete projects, from initial concept through to completion. During the project conceptualization phase, identifying project goals and objectives is crucial. Collaboration with architects, designers, and engineers is essential to develop innovative design concepts and select the appropriate type and style of architectural concrete for the project. The planning and design phase involves establishing a comprehensive project plan, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation. We will explore a variety of techniques, including textured finishes, decorative aggregates, and integral coloring, which allow for unique and customizable concrete surfaces. Additionally, the presentation will highlight a few case studies of exemplary projects that demonstrate the successful integration of architectural concrete. Show less

Concrete curing is the process by which hydraulic cementitious concrete matures and develops hardened properties over time. It is a result of the continued hydration of the cementitious materials and requires the presence of sufficient water and heat. This presentation will give a short overview of concrete curing. It will mainly focus on external curing of flatwork concrete; however, internal curing will also be briefly discussed. Different curing methods will be reviewed and their effect on desired concrete properties will be presented. Show less

Industrial and high-end commercial floors are in high demand. This seminar will help attendees understand how to both meet and exceed the project requirements. Attendees will learn how to implement a unique place and finish process with their own crews for a particular application and be able to maximize floor flatness while minimizing the common floor finishing issues that often arise. Show less

A Purdue University invention that may shorten construction timelines and increase long-term durability of concrete highways, bridges and other transportation infrastructure is emerging as a viable alternative to methods that have been used for decades to estimate when newly poured concrete is mature enough to withstand heavy loads such as those from trucks and other vehicles. Embedded directly into fresh concrete, the Purdue invention uses sensor technology to provide engineers with relatively precise and consistent real-time data on concrete’s strength, which may be comparable or even surpass the accuracy of several current tools and methods. With the technology Lu and her team invented, engineers no longer have to rely on concrete sample cylinders or the maturity concept to estimate when fresh concrete has cured enough. Instead, they can more directly monitor the fresh concrete and accurately measure its strength and temperature. Show less

What is mass concrete? ACI 207.1R defines mass concrete as any volume of concrete with dimensions large enough to require that measures be taken to cope with the generation of heat from hydration of the cement and attendant volume change to minimize cracking. But how does one predict whether mass concrete problems will occur and what steps should be taken? This presentation will discuss how to identify mass concrete, ACI 301 requirements pertaining to it, and good construction practices. Topics covered in this presentation will include: Examples of mass concrete structures Identifying mass concrete in the field Specification requirements Factors influencing mass concrete Show less

Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is crushed concrete used to replace virgin aggregate in new concrete. With impending aggregate shortages and a push for more sustainable concrete, interest in using RCA is very high. There have been numerous projects using RCA, but what do we actually know about it? This presentation will review what RCA is, how and why it affects new concrete, and the wide range of effects using RCA can have. Recent research on using RCA at low replacement levels will be briefly shared. Show less

The presentation will provide background on safe rooms and storm shelters as well as their performance objective, current design references, and where they are required in the IBC and IEBC. We will explore how design and construction criteria for safe rooms and storm shelters result in resilience to tornadoes and hurricanes and provide enhanced sustainability for communities. Precast and cast in place examples will be shared. Show less