The power of an apology
A couple of months into a new job, I was struggling to get things under control. On the “L”, I checked my phone to see what fire I’d be putting […]
Insights
Ranked choice voting
Earlier this month we had municipal elections in Minneapolis. Although I have sometimes voted early or by mail, I prefer voting in person on election day. It helps that my […]
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 […]
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 […]