Technical writing through the looking glass
In teaching technical writing, I often quote Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There. That may seem strange until you realize that Charles Dodge, who […]
Insights
The good, the bad, and the ugly
Sampling may be part of a forensic investigation. As we’ve discussed in previous blogs, it isn’t practical to obtain enough concrete cores for a proper statistical representation. Most owners don’t […]
ASTM C595 Type IL cement
In 2012, ASTM C595 and AASHTO M240 began to include Type IL cement, which contains 5 to 15% ground limestone. In the past few years Type IL cement has become […]
Diagnosing ASR
Alkali-silica reaction is a common deterioration mechanism in concrete. Some silicate minerals in aggregates react with hydroxide ions in concrete pore water, forming a gel that imbibes water and swells. […]
Rendering an engineering opinion
To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public, states regulate the engineering profession. We’ve discussed previously what it takes to obtain a license as a Professional Engineer. Public […]
What makes a good explanation?
One summer I visited some Norwegian friends who lived near Stockholm. The husband and their two-year-old son took me to the airport for my return flight. There, Håkon eagerly explored under […]
“Good enough” is best
Advertising for luxury cars and watches would lead you to believe that a never-ending quest for perfection is a good thing. But in real life, perfectionism can only lead to […]
Low-carbon concrete placed at UW Stout
Dr. Kevin MacDonald’s students at the University of Wisconsin Stout placed an experimental low-carbon concrete sidewalk on their campus. The concrete used no portland cement, which generates nearly a ton […]
Sustaining the commons
We’ve discussed the tragedy of the commons, an economic theory that dates back to Aristotle: “What is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it.” It […]
Horses, not zebras
“When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.”—Theodore Woodward, University of Maryland School of Medicine Although this advice originated in medicine, it applies equally well to forensic engineering: Look for […]