• CFA Tech Note 014: Interpreting Nominal Concrete Wall Thickness

    Wednesday, April 1, 2026

    Introduction  A frequent point of discussion between contractors, designers and code authorities involves the interpretation of “nominal” versus “actual” concrete wall thickness. This technical note provides clarification on this topic by examining relevant building codes and industry standards. Understanding the code-defined relationship between nominal and actual dimensions is essential for ensuring compliance and project continuity.  Analysis of Code Requirements  The International Residential […]

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  • Volver a construir mejor: Resiliencia

    Friday, March 13, 2026

    Cuarto artículo de la serie  De Joe Nasvik  Una vez que se toma la decisión de construir una casa, la siguiente cuestión que hay que resolver es cómo se debe construir. El mejor sistema de construcción es aquel que sea más adecuado para los ocupantes actuales y futuros. El uso de pautas de sostenibilidad y resiliencia […]

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  • Building Back Better Resiliency

    Friday, March 13, 2026

    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 […]

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  • 2025 CFA Consulting Members Directory

    Friday, March 6, 2026

    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 […]

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  • Interns posing in front of Custom Concrete building

    We See You: Custom Concrete Shouts Out Their Interns

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    Custom Concrete recently took time to celebrate the next generation of industry leaders by highlighting the contributions of their interns.

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Feature

Sep
6

Stephens & Smith Construction Company Revives Student-Learner Program

FEATURE ARTICLE: Stephens & Smith Construction Company Revives Student-Learner Program By Jereme Montgomery, Business Development   Many of you reading this article will testify that the skill gap is real. There is a shortage of skilled craftsmen in the construction industry, and it has continued (and will continue) to effect quantity and quality of structures built […]

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Sep
6

Projects of the Year: Customer Challenges Deliver Award-Winning Results

CFA PROJECTS OF THE YEAR 2018: Customer Challenges Deliver Award-Winning Results This article features the Concrete Foundation Association’s Projects of the Year, the expanding industry recognition program that features high-quality concrete work that is all too soon, never seen again. Projects are submitted by member organizations in a variety of project categories and are reviewed […]

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Jun
19

Aerial Photography Technology, Old and New

By: Mitch Bloomquist and James Baty | Concrete Foundations Association Drones continue to be a very hot topic these days. Whether you attend World of Concrete, pay attention to the news media or pay attention to the photos posted throughout social media, the age of drones is here. The news offers a wide variety of […]

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Mar
16

Safety Really Is Job #1

by Levi Schrock, chair of CFA Safety Committee Throughout the years, safety has been a subject of conversation at the CFA. We confess, however, that it has usually been brought up as a reaction to a hot topic posed by OSHA. Today, we hope to be advanced enough in our thinking to be talking about […]

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Mar
16

Remembering Ron

by Ed Sauter Those who knew Ron Colvin (RC) will never forget him. Beneath the ever-present beard, overalls, Hawaiian shirts and sandals was a kind, smart, and caring individual who would do anything to make life better for those who worked with him. Ron was a little unconventional in his appearance and approach to things, […]

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Mar
16

Twisted Steel Micro-Rebar in Load-Carrying Concrete Walls

by Samhar Hoz, Jeff Novak, Luke Pinkerton   Concrete walls are widely used in building construction. Concrete is strong in compression; however, its tensile strength is only 8 to 15 percent of the compressive strength. Thus, plain concrete does not have good tensile properties. Cracks can develop due to loads, restrained shrinkage, or temperature changes […]

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Magazine Issues

Jun
21

La gestión del conocimiento es un beneficio solo para miembros

English | Translation Provided by the CFA Año tras año, evento tras evento, los líderes de compañías que se arriesgan a pasar tiempo lejos de sus negocios para trabajar en sus negocios son recompensados por lo que probablemente es la adquisición más importante de sus carreras profesionales: el conocimiento. Esto es cierto ya sea que […]

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Jun
21

Knowledge Management is a Member-Only Benefit

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA Year after year, event after event, company leaders who risk time away from their business to work on their business are rewarded by arguably the number-one acquisition of their professional careers: knowledge. This holds true whether they are actually participating themselves or having others in the company participate […]

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Jun
21

¿Quiere un cambio en el desempeño del reclutamiento? Vamos a hacer algo diferente

English | Translation Provided by the CFA ¿Qué sucede cuando su compañía tiene el mismo problema continuamente? El problema podría ser moldes de aceras y canaletas que necesitan repararse constantemente. El problema puede ser un encofrado de concreto para muros que de alguna manera fracasa. Puede ser un proveedor esencial que nunca cumple con la […]

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Jun
21

Want a Change in Recruiting Performance? Let’s do Something Different

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA What happens when your company experiences the same problem continuously? The problem could be curb and gutter forms that constantly need to be repaired. The problem could be concrete formwork for walls that somehow fail. It may be a critical vendor who never makes their deadline – and […]

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Mar
29

Dennis Purinton: Una historia de la ley de Abrams

English | Translation Provided by the CFA “Cuando el trabajo se convierte en trabajo y no es agradable, es hora de jubilarse. La mayoría de las empresas son usted y algunos equipos. El único valor real para su negocio sin ‘usted’ es el equipo” – Dennis Purinton Dennis Purinton, una destacada figura fundacional en la […]

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Mar
29

Dennis Purinton: An Abrams’ Law Story

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA “When work becomes work and not enjoyable, it’s time to retire. Most businesses are you and some equipment. The only real value to your business without ‘you’ is the equipment.” – Dennis Purinton Dennis Purinton, an outstanding foundational figure in the concrete industry, recently retired after an impressive […]

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Mar
29

Planificar sus presentaciones

English | Translation Provided by the CFA La convocatoria de inscripciones para 2023 ya está en www.cfaconcretepros.org, donde se le anima a descargar el formulario de presentación para completar. Las inscripciones están abiertas a cualquier miembro de la Concrete Foundations Association, y es gratis enviar una entrada. ¿Aún no es miembro? Hay una solicitud rápida […]

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Mar
29

Planning Your Submittals

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA The Call for Entries for 2023 is already up at www.cfaconcretepros.org, where you are encouraged to download the submittal form for completion. Entries are open to any member of the Concrete Foundations Association, and it is free to submit an entry. Not yet a member? There is a […]

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Mar
29

2022 Projects of the Year Inspire 2023 Competition

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA Setting a Culture of Pride One more outstanding project from 2022 leads off this invitation to the only annual industry awards program recognizing concrete work that, for the most part, is long forgotten once the project is completed. We are preparing for the 24th year of the program. […]

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Mar
29

PROYECTOS DE 2022 INSPIRAN EL CONCURSO DE 2023

English | Translation Provided by the CFA ESTABLECER UNA CULTURA DE ORGULLO Otro proyecto sobresaliente de 2022 conduce a esta invitación al único programa anual de premios de la industria que reconoce el trabajo con concreto que, en su mayor parte, se olvida una vez que se completa el proyecto. Nos estamos preparando para el […]

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Mar
29

Recruiting Is Not Magic – Results Of Talent-Attraction Transformation Seem Magical!

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA Would it be amazing to have a line of qualified candidates waiting for an opening in your organization? It can happen by abandoning the old-fashioned Talent Acquisition method of recruiting and transforming your company into a Talent Attraction firm. What is wrong with Talent Acquisition for professionals? Nearly […]

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Mar
29

El reclutamiento no es magia: ¡los resultados de la transformación de la atracción de talento parecen mágicos!

English | Translation Provided by the CFA ¿No sería maravilloso tener una fila de candidatos calificados esperando una vacante en su organización? Puede suceder abandonando el anticuado método de la adquisición de talentos para reclutar y transformar su empresa en una empresa de Atracción de talento. ¿Qué hay de malo en la adquisición de profesionales? […]

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