We recently met with Terry McGee, Senior CMT Field Technician based in our Beaumont, Texas office to learn about his role at Braun Intertec, his background in quality control and concrete mix design as well as his TxDOT project experience. What is your role at Braun Intertec?I specialize in quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), mix design, and trial batching of high-performance concrete. I am currently learning how I can assist our concrete experts with troubleshooting in-situ concrete by using nondestructive testing methods (NDT). I look forward to having the opportunity to provide these unique services to our clients along the Gulf...
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Concrete Pavement Specifications Webinar: Common Issues to Avoid
Are you looking to improve your next project’s concrete specifications to avoid common issues that come up during construction? Material specifications and reinforcement design is one area where projects often stumble and there are several common issues we routinely observe which you can avoid with changes to the initial project specifications for concrete. Watch the recorded version of the webinar as our expert, Alf Gardiner from the Minneapolis, Minnesota Braun Intertec office, provides guidance available for concrete pavement design specifications which can help keep your next project on track. Gardiner has worked in the concrete industry for more than 20...
Read MoreIs Your Concrete Agricultural Facility Structurally Sound?
A Phased Approach to Conditions Assessments, Testing and Repairs Consulting Many concrete grain storage silos, load-out structures and storage bins in operation at agricultural storage and processing facilities across the Midwest are aging. As a facility owner, you might look at your critical structures and wonder, “How long has it been since these concrete structures were assessed by an engineer?” Looks alone can be deceiving. In fact, minor distress on the exterior of concrete structures may appear superficial, but real damage could be occurring below the surface. If left unattended, this damage may lead to more costly repairs. Braun Intertec...
Read MoreConcrete Slump Testing: Why Bother?
I have seen multiple blog posts recently critical of the slump test. Some have even gone as far to say slump is a useless test. While I agree slump is a very old test method, it is still a powerful and worthwhile tool in the concrete industry. Others within our industry have advocated the slump test should not be conducted when running quality control or quality assurance (QC/QA) testing on a project. However, if we don’t employ the slump test, what other controls could replace it and still give the design team and end user a level of confidence that...
Read MoreA Look Inside: Life as a CMT Technician
What is a construction materials testing technician? A construction materials testing (CMT) technician performs a variety of tests and inspections on construction materials such as soils, deep foundations, concrete, asphalt and masonry. They check that the components of each unique structure has been assembled in a manner consistent with its plans and specifications. Design teams communicate their requirements to contractors who build the designs, and CMT technicians help provide the expertise to know it is done right. But what does a normal day look like for these technicians? While CMT technician responsibilities can vary greatly, we'll do our best to...
Read More[OnDemand Webinar] Concrete Petrographic Analysis: A Tool for Solving Construction Issues
View a recorded version of our webinar. Our webinar will demonstrate how concrete petrography can be used to troubleshoot construction issues, determine repairs, and help the performance of a structure....
Read MoreConcrete Performance – An Owner’s Perspective
Concrete is the most widely used building material in the world, and it is one of the most durable. Today’s concrete has high performance expectations that are dependent on your viewpoint as an owner, designer, contractor or concrete producer. Concrete can be engineered, or designed, to provide exact performance and meet your expectations. This is typically completed during the design phase of the project. What is important to you as the owner are likely the aesthetics and longevity. So, will your clients or customers be welcomed to your facility by the beauty of concrete, and will it last forever? The...
Read MoreBraun Intertec Education Series: Concrete Seminar – April 15th in Bismarck, ND
Due to popular demand, we are hosting another concrete seminar! Join us as we host an educational series featuring four great workshops designed to strengthen your knowledge on concrete mixtures, petrography, non-destructive testing, and pavement. In addition to this cornucopia knowledge, attendees will receive CEUs for their participation in this educational session. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. The course will run from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on April 15th at the Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck, ND. Our workshop includes: Concrete Mixtures - Where Strength and Durability Intersect Petrographic Analysis - A Tool for Solving Construction Issues Non-Destructive Testing - A Tool for...
Read MoreBraun Intertec Education Series: Concrete Seminar – April 8th in Kansas City
Due to popular demand, we are hosting another concrete seminar! Join us as we host a free educational series featuring four great workshops designed to strengthen your knowledge on concrete mixtures, petrography, non-destructive testing, and pavement. In addition to this cornucopia knowledge, attendees will receive CEUs for their participation in this educational session. Breakfast and lunch will be served. The course will run from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on April 8th at the University of Kansas, BEST Building in Overland Park, KS. Our workshop includes: Concrete Mixtures - Where Strength and Durability Intersect Petrographic Analysis - A Tool for Solving Construction Issues Non-Destructive...
Read MoreBraun Intertec Education Series: Concrete Seminar – February 16th, March 1st, and March 2nd
Mark your calendars and join us as we host an educational series featuring three great workshops designed to strengthen your knowledge on concrete mixtures, petrography, and non-destructive testing. In addition to this cornucopia knowledge, attendees will receive CEUs for their participation in this educational session. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Courses will run from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on February 15th in Fargo, ND; March 1st in Duluth, MN, and March 2nd in Grand Rapids, MN. Our workshop includes: Concrete Mixtures - Where Strength and Durability Intersect Petrographic Analysis - A Tool for Solving Construction Issues Non-Destructive Testing - A...
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