Program:  Concrete Thermal Resistivity (Rho) Basics

With the expansion of renewable energy projects, coupled with the explosive growth in data center construction, there is unprecedented demand for buried power transmission lines.  The duct banks surrounding buried power cables must be precisely engineered to ensure heat generated by the power cables can effectively dissipate, driving demand for low-Rho backfills, fluidized thermal backfills slurries and concretes.  Concrete producers are well versed in optimizing mixes for strength and finish, but for many, low-Rho mixes are new territory.  

In this dinner presentation, we will cover the basic theory governing Rho in concrete and other porous materials.  We will then build on that foundation to show how to optimize these factors and achieve low-Rho mixes that win duct bank encasement business.  Finally, we will present real-world case studies illustrating practical considerations that should not be overlooked.  The goal is for you to leave this meeting with the knowledge needed to design mixes optimized for low Rho, and to be aware of practical pitfalls to avoid during the production and construction phases.  

Presented by:  

David Cobos, PhD President

Dr. Doug Cobos is President and Co-Founder of Basalt Ridge Testing Laboratory.  Founded in 2005, Basalt Ridge specializes in the measurement of thermal resistivity (Rho) of concrete, soil and other backfill materials.  Dr. Cobos holds advanced degrees from Texas A&M and the University of Minnesota in Soil Science where he conducted research on the theory and measurement of thermal properties of soil and other porous materials.  Dr. Cobos is also a Senior Research Scientist and the Vice President of Research and Development at METER Group.  He holds an adjunct appointment in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Washington State University.  Doug was the Lead Engineer for the Thermal and Electrical Conductivity Probe (TECP) which flew to Mars aboard NASA’s 2008 Phoenix Mars Lander and measured thermal properties (including Rho) of the Martian soil.  

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

ACI & Chapter Members/Spouses - $45            Non-Members - $60