EP #133: Concrete, Climate, and the Missing Science of Evaporation
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Show Notes
What if sunlight alone—not heat—was silently destroying your concrete?
In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett and Bob Higgins uncover a groundbreaking MIT study that reveals evaporation can be driven by light, not just temperature. This discovery doesn’t just change climate models—it could explain why concrete in the field fails in ways labs never predict. From sublimation and surface chemistry to curing practices and accountability, this episode forces the industry to face a missing piece of science hiding in plain sight.
What You'll Learn
- Can light alone drive evaporation—and what does that mean for concrete curing?
- Why does cold-weather curing produce more durable concrete?
- Is sublimation the hidden culprit behind freeze–thaw damage?
- How does surface relative humidity affect cement formation efficiency?
- Why do laboratory tests keep producing results that don’t match the field?
- Could pigmented curing compounds or internal curing be the next solution?
- Are installers being unfairly blamed for failures tied to ignored science?
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: Concrete Climate and Missing Science
01:44 – MIT’s Light-Driven Evaporation Discovery
05:41 – Why This Matters for Concrete Durability
11:35 – Relative Humidity and Cement Formation
17:24 – Sunlight, Chemistry, and Curing Practices
23:13 – Future Directions and Industry Accountability
Guest Info
Name: Bob Higgins
Email: [email protected]
Webpage: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/robert-higgins/
Company: Independent Concrete Consultant
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Credits
Producers: Jodi Tandett and Concrete Logic Media
Music by Mike Dunton: https://www.mdunton.com/
Connectivity
Host: Seth Tandett, Concrete Visionary & Business Development Manager at Baker Construction
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethtandett
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast
Website: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com
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