EP #133: Concrete, Climate, and the Missing Science of Evaporation

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 Concrete Logic Academy Looking for practical, real-world education in concrete? Get your first PDH course FREE at the Concrete Logic Academy: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/academySupport the Podcast This show runs on a Value-for-Value model. If you got value from this episode, consider supporting us: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/donate Support the show while gearing up with KUIU premium outdoor gear—what Seth wears both on the hunt and on the job. Shop through this link at no extra cost to you: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/KUIU Want help with media services like podcasting or YouTube for your concrete company? Reach out to Seth at [email protected]. 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 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, comment, and share. Let’s keep it concrete.