Recycling wind turbine blades
The rise of wind power has been crucial in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and tackling climate change. Minnesota has been a leader in deploying wind turbines, and wind accounted for […]
Insights
Rebuilding for resilience in Pakistan
We’ve discussed in previous blogs how rebuilding after a natural disaster could mean continuing to do the same thing while expecting the results to be different. The problem is becoming […]
Overdesign and sustainability
Acceptance of concrete delivered to the job site is usually on the basis of compressive strength tests in accordance with ASTM C31 and ASTM C39. To compensate for variability in […]
Is rebuilding always better?
Now that the 2022 hurricane season is over, rebuilding is underway. Because of its intensity and where it made landfall, Hurricane Ian was the costliest weather event in Florida’s history. […]
Zoning for affordable housing
Traditionally in the US, home ownership has been the main vehicle for building wealth. However, in many cities the high cost of housing prevents would-be buyers from entering the market. […]
Accessory dwelling units in Minnesota
Accessory dwelling units provide additional living space separate from the main house. You could use the unit as additional housing for extended family members to give them both privacy and […]
Auld Lang Syne
When we sing Robert Burns’ “Auld Lang Syne” on New Year’s Eve, do we really understand what it’s about? The archaic Scots language tends to obscure the meaning, and most […]
ASTM C31 and C39: the cost of bad testing
Previously we discussed acceptance testing of concrete according to ASTM C31, Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field and ASTM C39, Standard Test Method for Compressive […]
ASTM C31 and C39: what could go wrong?
For quality assurance in concrete construction, the most common acceptance criterion is the compressive strength of the concrete. A field technician makes specimens according to ASTM C31, Standard Practice for […]