Topic

Concrete Producer Perspective: Troubleshooting Concrete Materials and Construction 

Whether it's an age-old concrete problem that we know why it happens or a new problem caused by a material change or a difficult specification, concrete producers want to work with contractors, A/E community and 3rd party testing agencies to best plan for their projects.  A discussion of common field issues that may be producer or contractor related can make these conversations difficult but there are resources to help explain and prevent the next occurrence.  Emerging materials are bringing opportunities for lower embodied carbon concrete mixes and technology tools are helping to create quality concrete with effective manpower.  

Speaker

Heather J. Brown, Ph.D. (imi) - V.P. Quality Control/Quality Assurance

Dr. Heather J. Brown spent 20 years as a Professor in the School of Concrete and Construction Management at Middle Tennessee State University. She directed a one-of-a-kind degree in Concrete Industry Management, which is the flagship program of only five in the country located in TN, NJ, CA, TX and SD. She helped over 1200 students graduate and obtain careers in the industry as well as facilitate hands-on research with concrete materials and construction troubleshooting.

In 2021, Dr. Brown transitioned out of academia to lead a Quality Control department for concrete, asphalt, aggregates and soil stabilization with imi - Irving Materials Inc. She is charged with incorporating current technology into quality control testing and providing optimized mix designs for durable and sustainable infrastructure. Dr. Brown is a Fellow of ACI serving on several committees. She was inducted into the Tennessee Concrete Hall of Fame in 2019 and a past recipient of the ACI Walter P. Moore Award, ACI Joe W. Kelly Award and Concrete Construction Most Influential Person.