EP #070: Concrete vs. Microbes: The Battle Beneath Our Streets

In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, host Seth talks to Sam Lines from ConSeal about microbial-induced concrete corrosion, particularly in the sewer system. They discuss various ways to mitigate this, including using antimicrobials and the potential consequences for failing to do so. Sam highlights the importance of designing sewer systems well, considering factors such as expected mass loss and humidity levels. He also talks about current research and potential future technologies that could help protect concrete from this type of corrosion. Takeaways 1. Understand the concept and negative impacts of microbial-induced corrosion on concrete used in sewer systems. 2. Learn about mitigation strategies such as antimicrobials and plastic liners to reduce concrete corrosion. 3. Get introduced to ongoing research and projects to create mitigation methods for microbial-induced corrosion. 4. Discover the importance of factors including oxygen levels, sulfur presence, and relative humidity in the corrosion process. 5. Explore the potential of enhancing concrete's resistance to corrosion through quality improvements and the use of substances like antimicrobials. Chapters 00:01 Introduction and Podcast Mechanics 02:11 Understanding Microbial Induced Corrosion 04:37 The Role of Bacteria in Corrosion 09:54 The Impact of Corrosion on Concrete 14:54 Designing for Corrosion Resistance 22:49 The Role of Antimicrobials in Corrosion Resistance 31:40 The Impact of Humidity on Corrosion 37:51 Closing Remarks and Contact Information *** Did you learn something from this episode? If so, please consider donating to the show to help us continue to provide high-quality content for the concrete industry. Donate here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ***  Episode References Guest: Sam Lines | ConSeal | ⁠[email protected] Guest Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://conseal.com/   Producers: Jodi Tandett, Jace Stocker Donate & Become a Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: Mike Dunton | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mikeduntonmusic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mike_Dunton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Host: Seth Tandett, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Host LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/concrete-logic-podcast