EP #092: Concrete Contractors Unite: PLC Troubleshooting

In this episode, Seth interviews Mike Hernandez, the Technical Director of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), about a survey they conducted on Portland Limestone Cement (PLC). The survey aimed to understand the challenges and differences contractors were experiencing when using PLC compared to traditional cement mixes.

Mike discusses the survey results, which showed increased water demand and set times, as well as changes in plastic and hardened properties. He explains that the next phase of the study involves collecting a large number of mix designs to determine what makes a mix successful with PLC. Mike encourages contractors to submit their successful mix designs to help gather more data.

Takeaways
• The survey conducted by ASCC and ACI on Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) revealed increased water demand and set times, as well as changes in plastic and hardened properties.
• The next phase of the study involves collecting a large number of mix designs to determine what makes a mix successful with PLC.
• Contractors are encouraged to submit their successful mix designs to help gather more data and understand the factors that contribute to successful PLC mixes.
• PLC presents new challenges for contractors, and proper preparation, testing, and curing are crucial to achieving desired results.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
03:17 Introduction to ASCC and its Role
07:03 Collecting Mix Designs for Analysis
08:58 Regional Variations in Mix Designs
11:50 Challenges with PLC in Slabs
16:37 The Impact of PLC on Curing and Finish
25:27 Variability in Responses to PLC
30:42 Call for Submission of Successful Mix Designs

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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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Episode References
Guest: Mike Hernandez | mhernandez@ascconline.org
Guest Website:⁠ ascconline.org
Submit slab mix designs: mixes@ascconline.org

Producers: Jodi Tandett
Donate & Become a Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music: Mike Dunton | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mikeduntonmusic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mikeduntonmusic@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mike_Dunton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: Seth Tandett, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seth@concretelogicpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Host LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.l