Tag: Concrete
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Protecting Concrete from Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Winter is coming to the Northern Hemisphere. That means reinforced concrete bridges, parking garages, and buildings could be in for a wild ride on the “roller coaster” of freeze-thaw cycling. To minimize damage from these inevitable temperature swings, Cortec recommends taking the simple maintenance step of applying a water repellent at least once every ten…
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Concrete but Greener: The Race to Decarbonize Construction Materials
The Foundation of a Carbon Problem Concrete is, quite literally, the foundation of the modern world. From sidewalks to skyscrapers, concrete has transformed civilization for the past 200 plus years of its usage. It is the second most consumed substance on the planet, second only to water, with approximately 30 billion tons being produced annually. …
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Sounding Concrete: Detect Damage Before Repair
There are many ways to evaluate concrete in-place, from visual inspection to physical test methods in cases of concrete repair to full replacement. These techniques are often employed in the commercial concrete construction industry as directed, in most cases, by Licensed Design Professionals (LDPs). These same test methods of inspection and evaluation are just as…
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Kentucky Concrete Pro Wins NRMCA Carpenter-Mullings Award
The Safety, Environmental & Operations (SEO) Committee of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) has unanimously named Max Stephens of Stephens Manufacturing, Inc., Tompkinsville, KY, as the 2026 Carpenter-Mullings Award recipient. The Carpenter-Mullings award is named in honor of Joseph E. Carpenter of Rinker Materials who was instrumental in the formation and early operation…
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Why Concrete Joints Fail First & What to do About It
In liquid-bearing concrete structures, joints are where protective linings fail first. A monolithic film is asked to span a moving gap and stay bonded to both sides through thermal swings, settlement, hydrostatic loads, and start-stop operations. Over thousands of cycles, stress concentrates at the arris; micro-pinhole strings and edge-shear accumulate until the first callbacks show…
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Concrete Events & Tradeshows for 2026
They’re the best place to see the new equipment and solutions first-hand. From the cast-in-place foundation to the high-rise placement and everywhere between, there’s a convention or tradeshow out there for every concrete contractor. Concrete Contractor has gathered a short list of events scheduled for 2026 that are specific to the concrete industry. (Note: This…
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Commercial Concrete Construction: Pitfalls to Avoid
Commercial concrete is the backbone of modern business spaces. From parking lots and warehouses to office buildings and shopping centers, it supports heavy loads, constant use, and all kinds of weather. When mistakes happen during construction, cracks, surface wear, or drainage issues can appear fast. The best part is, many of these problems are avoidable.…
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Concrete Freeze-Thaw Protection with MCI® Water Repellents
Winter is coming to the Northern Hemisphere. That means reinforced concrete bridges, parking garages, and buildings could be in for a wild ride on the “roller coaster” of freeze-thaw cycling. To minimize damage from these inevitable temperature swings, Cortec® recommends taking the simple maintenance step of applying a water repellent at least once every ten…
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How to Survive the Ups and Downs of Concrete Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Winter is coming to the Northern Hemisphere. That means reinforced concrete bridges, parking garages, and buildings could be in for a wild ride on the “roller coaster” of freeze-thaw cycling. To minimize damage from these inevitable temperature swings, Cortec® recommends taking the simple maintenance step of applying a water repellent at least once every ten…
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How to Integrate Pigments into On-Site Concrete Mixing
Color is no longer a specialty add-on in concrete. It has become a mainstream design feature for residential, commercial, and municipal projects alike. For contractors, that means knowing how to properly mix, dose, and finish pigmented concrete on-site is essential to delivering consistent, high-quality results. This guide outlines best practices for pigment use in field…