EP #118: Concrete Petrography Explained

In this episode, Seth Tandett brings back Dr. Jon Belkowitz to unpack a powerful but often misunderstood tool in the concrete world—petrography. From diagnosing floor failures to proactively optimizing mix designs, Dr. Jon explains how petrography gives contractors, suppliers, and engineers a microscopic advantage. Whether you're battling ASR or just curious about those weird white streaks on your concrete, this episode is for you.  What’s Inside: ✔️ What petrography actually is—and how it applies to concrete  ✔️ How SEM, NMR, and XRD tools help detect durability issues  ✔️ Real-world case studies from flooring issues to nano silica research  ✔️ Why more contractors should use petrography proactively, not reactively  ✔️ What this type of analysis costs—and when it’s worth every penny  ✔️ Dr. Jon’s shoutouts to the industry’s best petrographers  ✔️ Why it’s getting harder to find great petrographers in the field  CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Intro: Why Petrography Matters  01:30 – Defining Petrography (Latin Roots to FHWA Guidance)  03:00 – Reactive vs Proactive Applications  05:00 – Flooring Failures: Moisture, Salts, & Surface Analysis  07:30 – Microscopes Explained: SEM, Gas Chromatography & More  10:00 – ASR Gel Under the Scope  14:00 – How Data Helps Tell the Failure Story  17:30 – Proactive Use: Aggregates, Cement & Nano Silica  20:00 – Misconceptions About Petrography  23:00 – Dr. Jon’s U.S. Army-Funded Nano Silica Study  30:00 – The High-Tech Tools That Reveal Concrete Behavior  40:00 – Cost Breakdown: Is It Worth It?  43:00 – Top Petrographers You Should Know  45:00 – Final Thoughts: Use Petrography When It Matters Most  LISTEN NOW – Every concrete contractor needs to hear this one! ‍ Guest: Dr. Jon Belkowitz Company: Intelligent Concrete Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.intelligent-concrete.com =============================  Take Your Knowledge Further – Join Concrete Logic Academy! Gain exclusive access to expert video courses, live Q&A, and cutting-edge industry insights. Earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and elevate your expertise!   Learn More: https://www.concretelogicacademy.com  Support the Podcast – Be Part of the Concrete Revolution! Donate: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com Become a producer & get recognized on our next episode! =============================  Recommended Resources: ASTM C856: Guide for Petrographic Examination of Hardened Concrete NIST Petrography Resources: https://www.nist.gov Learn about ASR: https://www.blurb.com/b/8143619-the-abcs-of-asr  Top Petrographers Mentioned: Hugh Ho (WJE), Paul Stutzman (NIST), David Rothstein, Brian Wolf (SGS TEC)  Producer: Jodi Tandett   Music by: Mike Dunton  Instagram: @Mike_Dunton  Stay Connected & Watch More!  Host: Seth Tandett   Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast Podcast Website: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com  LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE for more expert concrete insights!