[AT] Concrete and way off topic now...

[Chuck Bealke]

Cecil,

Sure enjoyed your concrete info and stories.  They are typical of your expertise, fine writing and sharing. Also like your website. Your comments here remind me of the adage that a life well lived is a double blessing, as one gets to enjoy it again in one's memories.  When you describe your hard earned wisdom so well, it is in fact a triple blessing as we here also get to enjoy it.

Chuck Bealke
Dallas

> On Jan 12, 2016, at 10:11 PM, Cecil R Bearden <crbearden at copper.net> wrote:
> 
> Spencer:
> I never learned how they get the air in it, but I learned my lesson 
> about trying to cut corners.    I was running out of money when we 
> poured the sidewalks and the driveway for my house.  The concrete 
> contractor was a friend who I had met during the course of my Dam 
> rehabilitation work.  I ordered the concrete and only used 2500lb test 
> and no air.  Within 5 years it was getting pinholes in the finish.  
> Within 10 years I had some spalled places about 2 inches in diameter.  
> Now after 30 years I am going to have to replace it.  Back in 1985 I 
> saved about $300, now it is going to cost me about $4000.
> I got my degree in Ag Engineering from Oklahoma State University in 
> 1975.  I went to work in 1977 with the State of Oklahoma in charge of 
> the Dam Safety Program.   For the next 10 years I attended every 
> training course the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation,  
> and the USDA Soil Conservation Service had.  I finally got my P.E. in 
> 1986 after building my home in 1985.  When I took the P.E. test I had to 
> take it in Civil Sanitary and Structural.   The training and the time I 
> spent with some very experienced retired Army Corps engineers allowed me 
> to pass the test without any problems.  I was fortunate to have the 
> experience of 3 of the best Engineers, Geologists,and Geotechnical 
> Engineers that the Corps had for the next 20 years just a phone call 
> away...  I really miss the advice I used to get from those guys every 
> time I get called on one of those emergency calls.    I got a website if 
> you want to take a look.   its www.thatdamengineer.com.
> 
> It is because of all this training, when I get asked for advice, and it 
> is not heeded, I get somewhat upset.   When I get asked for advice now, 
> I just say that my consulting rate is $125/hr.  That usually solves the 
> problem....
> 
> Cecil in OKla