The Latest News, Events and Information from
Triangle Ready Mix
Concrete Evaporation: The Factor You Can’t Afford to Ignore
April 13, 2026 — Concrete doesn’t need days to develop problems — sometimes it only takes hours.One of the earliest and most damaging issues a slab can face is rapid surface moisture loss. When evaporation outpaces the concrete’s ability to retain water at the surface, shrinkage begins immediately. This is where plastic shrinkage cracking starts.
Understanding Delayed Ettringite Formation (DEF)
June 11, 2025 — Delayed Ettringite Formation (DEF) is a hidden but potentially serious durability concern in concrete structures. DEF is one of those issues that doesn’t show itself right away — but when it does, the consequences can be significant. This article explains what DEF is, how it develops, how to identify it, and what steps can be taken to prevent it — especially in high-heat or mass pour situations. Understanding DEF is key to ensuring long-term performance and protecting your investment in concrete construction.
The Impact of Graded Aggregates on Concrete Performance
March 13, 2025 — The term “graded aggregates” refers to a mixture of different-sized particles of coarse and fine aggregates that are proportioned to achieve a dense, compact, and well-distributed particle arrangement in concrete. The grading of aggregates significantly affects the workability, strength, durability, and overall performance of the concrete mix.
Cold Weather: An Opportunity for Stronger Concrete
January 13, 2025 — Concrete, a cornerstone of modern construction, derives its strength and durability from a chemical process called hydration. While warm weather is often considered ideal for concrete curing, cold weather offers unique opportunities to produce stronger and more resilient concrete — when managed correctly.
NEW Triangle Tech Tip: Essential Tips for Using Concrete in Cold Weather
December 2, 2024 — Placing concrete in cold weather presents unique challenges. But, with the right preparations, you can ensure a durable and strong result. When temperatures drop, concrete’s curing process slows, which can compromise its strength and longevity if not properly managed. This reaction slows significantly when temperatures fall below 50°F and nearly stops around freezing.
NEW Triangle Tech Tip: Cylinder Compression Testing
November 19, 2024 — Cylinder compression testing is a standard method used in the construction industry to measure the compressive strength of concrete. It is a crucial quality control test that determines if the concrete used in a structure meets the specified strength requirements. Compressive strength is one of the most important properties of concrete, as it directly influences the durability and safety of buildings, bridges, roads, and other structures.
NEW Triangle Tech Tip — RED FLAG: Low Cylinder Breaks
November 19, 2024 — Low cylinder breaks are a red flag indicating that the concrete may not be as strong as required, potentially affecting the structure’s safety and longevity. In the construction industry, ensuring the quality of concrete is critical, as it forms the backbone of many structures, from buildings and bridges to roads and foundations. One of the primary methods for assessing concrete strength is cylinder compression testing, where concrete specimens are crushed under pressure to measure their compressive strength. However, when these test results fall below the expected values, it can raise significant concerns.
NEW Triangle Tech Tip: Fly Ash and Its Use in Concrete Production
October 15, 2024 — Fly ash is a byproduct of coal combustion in power plants and is widely used as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in concrete. Fly ash is favored not only for its performance benefits but also for its environmental advantages, as it reduces the need for Portland cement, lowering the overall carbon footprint of concrete production. Additionally, using fly ash can improve resistance to chemical attacks, reduce permeability, and enhance the long-term strength of concrete.
NEW Triangle Tech Tip: Understanding Pozzolanic & Cementitious Materials
October 15, 2024 — The terms “Pozzolanic” and “Cementitious” refer to different types of chemical reactions that materials undergo in the presence of water and other compounds, particularly in the context of concrete production. The primary pozzolan involved in concrete production is fly ash. The primary cementitious material is, naturally, Portland cement.
2024: Q3
September 27, 2024
NEW Triangle Tech Tip: Understanding Rebound Hammer Testing
September 27, 2024
NEWS RELEASE: Triangle Ready Mix Earns NRMCA Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Certification
August 29, 2024
NEWS RELEASE: Triangle Ready Mix offers new, trademarked Crack Fighter™ concrete mixes
August 29, 2024
Triangle Ready Mix adds a new Triangle Tech Tip to its library of free educational resources:
The Role of Temperature in Concrete Cracking
July 23, 2024
Triangle Ready Mix adds a new Triangle Tech Tip to its library of free educational resources:
The Importance of Heated & Chilled Mix Water
July 17, 2024
Triangle Ready Mix adds a new Triangle Tech Tip to its library of free educational resources: Surface Discoloration of Concrete
2024: Q2
June 17, 2024
Triangle Ready Mix adds a new Triangle Tech Tip to its library of free educational resources: Alkali-Silica Reactivity (ASR) in Concrete
June 14, 2024
Triangle Ready Mix adds a new Triangle Tech Tip to its library of free educational resources: Sulfate Attack of Concrete
June 10, 2024
NEW Triangle Tech Tip available: Air Entraining Admixtures for Concrete
June 3, 2024
It’s Here! The Concrete Book for our valued customers
May 20, 2024
NEW Triangle Tech Tip available: White Spotting / Efflorescence of Concrete
May 17, 2024
NEW Triangle Tech Tip available: Concrete 101: The Basics
May 10, 2024
NEW Triangle Tech Tip available: Types of Portland Cement
May 8, 2024
NEW Triangle Tech Tip available: Concrete Slump Testing
April 26, 2024
NEW Triangle Tech Tip available: Concrete Cracking and Saw Joints
April 17, 2024
NEWS RELEASE: Triangle Ready Mix expands truck fleet, announces second location
April 16, 2024
NEW Triangle Tech Tip available: Using Superplasticizer Additives in Concrete
Find helpful information about concrete on our Concrete Resources page at TriangleReadyMix.com/edu. We also have a convenient Glossary of Ready-Mixed Concrete Terms. Triangle Ready Mix is a proud member of L&L Construction Group, along with our sister companies L&L Concrete and East Coast Civil Group.