The U.S. just took a big swing in the fight for supply chain independence. Through a $400 million investment, the Department of Defense became the largest shareholder in MP Materials, the only company mining rare earth elements in the Unite…
I’ve never been a flag-waving cheerleader for American imperialism. In fact, I used to be pretty disgusted with how we tried to run the world. But lately, I’ve changed my mind—not because we got better, but because I finall…
Fort Monroe, Virginia - Oldest Military Base | Source: Visit Hampton Virginia The latest spending bill—officially called the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"—just landed, and while everyone's busy debating tax cuts and defense budgets, we'r…
Heat might help your schedule, but it’s hurting your concrete. We’ve said it before on the podcast, and after spending another hour with Bob Higgins, it’s worth repeating: hot weather pours don’t give you better concrete&mdas…
If you want to understand why energy is getting more expensive—and why industrial growth feels like it’s dragging through wet concrete—look at Colorado. What was once a solid energy-producing state has quietly become a case study …
It’s hard to keep track of all the green buzzwords floating around the concrete industry these days—“net zero,” “low-carbon cement,” “sustainable construction.” On the surface, it sounds like p…
Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Trump administration announced a formal reconsideration of the critical "Endangerment Finding," the 2009 determination that greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide …
Portland Stone (Adobe). The Portland Cement Association (PCA) recently rebranded itself as the American Cement Association (ACA). When I heard this news, it got me thinking—has PCA changed its name before, and what was the original reason beh…
We won’t say, "We told you so," but let’s just say this wasn’t exactly a surprise. President Trump is about to—or may have already—signed an executive order that could reshape the future of nuclear energy in the U.S. Th…
Ever poured a floor that hits every spec, only to realize it’s not enough for robots? Here’s the deal: warehouse automation is here, and it’s seriously changing the game for concrete specs. Recently, I had a lunch with a friend, a…
If you caught last week’s post, you know we’re exploring how AI could be the game-changer concrete construction’s been waiting for. But, while AI is starting to make waves in the construction industry, let’s slow down for a m…
This week we dropped Episode #120 of the Concrete Logic Podcast titled, "Will AI Save the Future of Concrete Construction?" I sat down with Ramy Sedra of C60, an AI analytics company that partners with ready-mix producers. If you haven't listened ye…
The concrete world is buzzing right now. New mix designs, new ways to reduce cement use, and a lot of noise about “green” concrete and low-carbon alternatives. Recently on the Concrete Logic Podcast, I had the chance to sit down with Joh…
For decades, oil has been the dominant force in the energy world, with its price affecting everything from transportation to the cost of goods. But that dominance is fading as natural gas emerges as the new key player in the energy market—some…
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan imposed a significant 100% tariff on selected Japanese electronics. At the time, this move was widely seen as bold and controversial. Understanding the rationale behind this action provides insight into the c…
The Metro Center - Caroline M. Proctor The debate surrounding Brutalist architecture in Washington, D.C. (paywall warning) has ignited strong opinions, and after reading this article, I can’t help but feel frustrated with the inconsistency in…
If you’ve ever worked with concrete, you know that things don’t always go as planned. Whether it’s cracks appearing out of nowhere or floors that won’t stay level, concrete can be a tricky material. But what if I told you tha…
The 28-day compressive strength test has long been considered the gold standard for evaluating concrete performance. It's been the go-to method for everything from design decisions to regulatory compliance. But, as we dug into in our latest episode,…
Introduction: Why Soft Skills Matter More Than You Think in Concrete Construction Alright, let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough love in the concrete construction world—soft skills. Now, I know what you’re think…
As the U.S. once again debates the use of tariffs to protect domestic industries, history offers a valuable case study in how such policies play out over time. President William McKinley, one of the staunchest advocates for protectionism in U.S. his…
Federal Incentives and Policy Drivers for Type IL Cement During 2019–2024, multiple federal actions incentivized the cement industry’s shift to Type IL (Portland-Limestone Cement). Congressional legislation explicitly promoted lower-car…
So you think CO2 is the big bad wolf? Let me tell you about something even worse: garbage. We talk a lot about carbon emissions, but what about the literal mountains of waste we throw away every single day? Glass, plastic, construction debris&mdash…
The rapid growth of AI and cloud services is fueling an unprecedented surge in data center energy consumption. As power grids strain under this demand, natural gas is emerging as the go-to solution. Recent reports reveal that U.S. federal regulators…
When faced with the decision between Roman concrete and today's blended cement concrete, one might lean towards the ancient marvel of Roman concrete. Despite the advancements in modern concrete technology, Roman concrete continues to captiva…
