Designing Concrete For Durability: From Materials Selection to Long-Term Performance
Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Time: Noon – 1:00 pm CST
Cost: Free
Speaker: Dr. Doug Hooton, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto-Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering
Registration Link: Click Here
(email jackie@sdrmca.org if you have difficulties with the registration link)
Description:
Concrete durability is not achieved by strength alone. Long-term performance depends on controlling permeability, understanding exposure conditions, and making informed choices about materials, mixture proportions, and construction practices. In this presentation, Dr. Doug Hooton will explore the fundamental mechanisms that govern concrete durability, with a focus on how water, chlorides, sulfates, and freeze–thaw cycles interact with concrete over time.
Drawing on decades of research and field experience, the session will highlight the role of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), proper curing, and performance-based specifications in producing durable, resilient concrete. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of why prescriptive requirements often fall short and how durability-focused approaches can lead to longer service life, reduced maintenance, and improved sustainability in concrete infrastructure.
Sponsors: This webinar is being sponsored by the ACI Intermountain Chapter, the Minnesota Concrete Council, the North Dakota Concrete Council, the Oklahoma Ready Mixed Concrete Association, the South Dakota Ready Mix Association, and the Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
