A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
Blended Cements and Concrete Foundations
By James A. Farny, Director of Environmental Measurement & Metrics, American Cement Association Concrete foundation applications range from single-family homes to apartment buildings and all types of private development and public infrastructure. With its ease of placement and resilient performance, concrete is suited to all sizes of projects. Because the concrete industry has chosen to […]
How to Protect Your Assets
By Larry Oxenham, Senior Advisor, American Society for Asset Protection Concrete contractors operate in one of the highest-risk segments of the construction industry. Among heavy equipment, jobsite hazards, employees, vehicles and the public, the potential for lawsuits is constant. One accident, defect claim or employment dispute can quickly escalate into a legal battle that threatens […]
The Purpose and Impact of the New CFA Technical Committee
Building concrete foundations requires a solid understanding of changing building codes, emerging materials and safe construction practices. Contractors face new challenges on job sites every day. To help our members navigate these complexities, the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) has revised the CFA Technical Committee. This dedicated group of professionals was established to support the broader […]
Post-Tensioned Slabs-on-Ground: PTI Certification Requirements
By Brandon Harman, Engineer, Post-Tensioning Institute CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR PTI CERTIFICATION New code changes in the 2024 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC) directly influence the construction of residential post-tensioned slabs-on-ground (PT-SOG). Prior to the 2024 edition of the IRC, Section R506 “Concrete Floors (On Ground)” only referred to ACI 332 for the design […]
Fifty Years of Change in the Concrete Foundation Industry: How Collaboration and Innovation Continue to Shape the Work of Foundation Contractors
By MPW Construction Services Over the past fifty years, the concrete foundation industry has experienced dramatic transformation. Advances in technology, improvements in jobsite safety, increased specialization and the ability of contractors to learn from one another have reshaped how foundation work is performed across North America. Since then, organizations such as the Concrete Foundations Association […]
Bad Concrete or Bad Testing? Handling Low Cylinder Breaks in Concrete Testing
By CFA Staff Based on the CFA Classroom resource, “When Bad Breaks Happen,” presented by Kim Basham. The 2018 presentation has been updated to include current references to codes and standards. The integrity of any construction project relies heavily on the materials used. When compressive strength evaluation results fall short of expectations, it often triggers […]
Magazine Issues
Carr Concrete Construction: Strengthening Connections and Sharing Expertise Through CFA Membership
This past October, the CFA Fall Executive Retreat in Connecticut was made even more special thanks to the generosity of Carr Concrete Construction. The company opened their doors to host a lunch for attendees and showcase one of their ongoing projects. The event gave members the opportunity to see firsthand how a leading northeast contractor operates, while also enjoying discussions, networking and thought leadership […]
Routine Versus Rocket Science: Thirteen Rock-Solid Ways to Keep Your Customers Coming Back
By Kate Zabriskie You know that friend who’s always there when you are in need? The one who shows up on time, follows through on promises and genuinely cares about what’s going on in your life? That’s exactly what your business needs to be for your customers. Sure, those splashy marketing campaigns and point-collecting apps might turn some heads. But keeping customers? That’s more like maintaining a good friendship—it’s about consistency, trust and showing up […]
From Builder to CEO: Why Most Construction Companies Never Break $50 Million
BY GERARD ALIBERTI, OWNER OF PRO-ACCEL You started your construction company because you love building things. You were good at it. Maybe great at it. You could see a project through from concept to completion, and you took pride in every detail. Fast forward to today, and you’re running a $10 million, $15 million, maybe even $25 million company. You’re still operating like you’re running a $5 million business. You’re the bottleneck. Every critical decision flows through […]
Caught in Action
At Thompson Concrete, excellence starts with people, and Steve Hanna and his crew continue to prove that every day. Living out the company’s mission “to entrust and empower our team to create the best possible experience for clients, communities and families,” this group exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose and pride. Steve, along with Assistant Crew Lead Marlon Perdomo and Wall Techs William […]
Capturing Field Knowledge and Preserving Your Legacy with AI
Learn how AI can capture and organize field knowledge from notes and photos into a searchable data asset, improving efficiency and preserving expertise for your firm. The construction industry is experiencing a significant operational shift. Recent data indicates that a substantial number of construction businesses are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency and accuracy. In fact, the […]
Building More than Just Concrete…Building Futures!
BY JENN OTT, MODERN POURED WALLS CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Bringing classrooms and careers together at the 2025 Lorain County Career Pathways Expo, Modern Poured Walls (MPW) Construction Services proudly represented the concrete construction industry demonstrating that we build more than concrete structures- we build futures. Held in late October at the Lorain County Fairgrounds Ross Expo Center in Wellington, Ohio, which transformed into an array of […]
Building Back Better Resiliency
BY JOE NASVIK This is the fourth and final article of the Building Back Better series. After the decision is made to build a house, the next issue to resolve is how it should be built. The best building system is one that will be best for the current and future occupants. Using sustainability and resilience guidelines is […]
2025 CFA Consulting Members Directory
CFA works with many great consultants. If you are looking for consulting services, visit one of the companies below: BIC bicauctions.com BIC is a used concrete equipment specialist serving contractors, manufacturers and lenders nationwide. The company helps industry professionals unlock value from idle or underutilized assets—whether it’s a single unit or an entire fleet. Their […]
Honoring CFA Legacy and Milestones
In 2018, the CFA Board of Directors established the Legacy Committee to recognize and preserve the contributions of its members to the Association on behalf of the concrete foundations industry. This committee, composed of Association leaders, serves as a steward of institutional knowledge, ensuring the continuity of best practices and fostering mentorship for future generations […]
2025 CFA Fall Executive Retreat: Two Days of Learning, Collaboration and Inspiration
The 2025 CFA Fall Executive Retreat offered members a unique opportunity to connect, learn and explore how peers in the industry operate, providing insights and ideas that can be applied directly to their own businesses. Attendees arrived and began the retreat with informal networking, reconnecting with fellow members and building new relationships. The day concluded […]
Staying Connected: How CFA Members Can Make the Most of Social Media
By Trenton Baty, Membership and Marketing Director Social media has become one of the best ways to stay connected with everything happening across the Concrete Foundations Association. Between events, publications and new initiatives, there’s always something going on, and our social channels have become the go-to place to keep up with it all. From industry […]
CFA Recognizes Additional Projects from the 2025 Projects of the Year Competition
The winners of the prestigious 2025 CFA Projects of the Year were revealed at the 2025 CFA Convention (CFACON25), but owing to the intense competition among the submissions, they weren’t the only projects that achieved recognition. Seven more amazing projects are recognized due to the high scores they received. These impressive projects include six by […]
