EP #091: Rethinking Time Limits on Concrete

In this episode, Seth interviews Rich Szecsy, an executive in the concrete supply industry. They discuss the recent change in the batch time for concrete from 90 minutes to 120 minutes. Rich explains the history behind the 90-minute time limit and the lack of scientific justification for it. He emphasizes the importance of considering the practicality and sustainability of construction methods. They also touch on the topic of temperature specifications for concrete and the need for a more nuanced approach. Takeaways The 90-minute time limit for concrete batch time has been in place since the 1930s, but there is no scientific justification for it. The recent change to a purchaser-determined batch time allows for more flexibility and practicality in construction projects. Temperature specifications for concrete should be based on the specific conditions and requirements of each project, rather than arbitrary limits. The focus should be on building something and finding the most efficient and sustainable methods to achieve that goal. The responsibility of a concrete producer is to the purchaser, and specifications should be tailored to meet their needs and preferences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:34 The Change from 90 Minutes to 120 Minutes 11:05 The History and Justification of the 90-Minute Time Limit 27:48 Rethinking Temperature Specifications 38:04 Prioritizing Practicality and Sustainability 38:54 The Responsibility of Concrete Producers   *** 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: Rich Szecsy | [email protected] Guest Website:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-s-szecsy-phd-pe-faci-8724992/   Producers: Jodi Tandett 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