ESCSI Names Castrodale as Director of Engineering

Words: Dan KamysESCSI Names Castrodale as Director of Engineering

The Expanded Shale, Clay and Slate Institute today announced the appointment of Reid W. Castrodale, Ph.D., P.E., as Director of Engineering. Dr. Castrodale recently started his own firm, Castrodale Engineering Consultants, and will be working part time for the Institute promoting lightweight concrete and lightweight aggregate applications on a national level.

The main focus of his activities will be directed toward decision makers in the transportation area that includes the AASHTO bridge and materials committees, Federal Highway Administration, FHWA’s Turner Fairbanks Highway Research Center, Transportation Research Board, National Concrete Bridge Council, Precast/Prestress Concrete Institute, ACI 318 Building Code and other committees. He will also continue working as a consultant to the Carolina Stalite Company to represent them in local promotion and technical support activities.

Dr. Castrodale has served as the Director of Engineering for Carolina Stalite Company for the past eight years promoting and providing technical support for the use of lightweight aggregate in bridges, geotechnical applications and internal curing.

“Reid’s extensive design knowledge and his excellent promotion and teaching skills make him a tremendous asset to our industry and to the ESCSI team,” said ESCSI Technical Director, John P. Ries, P.E., FACI. He is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology and received his Masters and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to working at Stalite, he worked in Charlotte, NC, at Ralph Whitehead Associates, a regional bridge design firm, as an Associate and Project Manager/Senior Engineer. He also served as the Program Manager for Bridges at the Portland Cement Association in Skokie, IL. As an active member in the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, he served as the Chair of the Bridge Committee and as Co-Chairman of the PCI Bridge Design Manual Committee.

Dr. Castrodale has taught numerous seminars and courses on reinforced and prestressed concrete bridge design at locations across the country, most of which have addressed design using the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. He was a Professional Affiliate Member of the Graduate Faculty at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he taught prestressed concrete design, advanced reinforced concrete design and bridge design courses. He has also advised and assisted in the direction of research for graduate students.

Dr. Castrodale may be reached by calling ESCSI headquarters at (801) 272-7070 or by email at rcastrodale@escsi.org.

High-Performance Masonry Units: Elevating Structural Integrity and Aesthetics
September 2025

Manufactured concrete masonry units have been present in the construction marketplace for over 120 years. They are ubiquitous and are made in virtually every country on earth. The development of high-performance masonry units currently available across th

Building Tomorrow, Digitally: How Tech is Revolutionizing Masonry
September 2025

The rhythmic tap of the trowel, the satisfying click of brick on mortar – masonry, in its essence, is a craft steeped in tradition. For centuries, it has shaped our skylines, built our homes, and stood as a testament to human ingenuity and skill. But just

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 28 Recap: Kendall Anderegg, President and CEO at Mutual Materials Company
September 2025

Kendall Anderg's journey in the masonry industry is a remarkable tale of legacy, innovation, and community impact. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Kendall's family business has been a staple in the industry since its founding in 1900. Now celebrating

Ensuring Safety in Scaffold Access and Transference
September 2025

One of the most relevant issues currently affecting the industry is scaffold plans and safety. You are probably aware of new scaffold regulations required by general contractors and owners. IT IS VITAL THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THESE REQUIREMENTS WHEN BIDDING