• 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

Jan
11

Marijuana At Work

On November 8, four states approved the use of recreational marijuana bringing the total to eight states and the District of Columbia.  Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia had already approved recreational use.  California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada joined the recreation use states on November 8.   In addition, Arkansas, Florida, and North […]

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Sep
21

CFA Project Of The Year – Coming Out On Top

The 2016 Project of the Year Awards…continued excellence in the field of cast-in-place concrete. CFA’s Project of the Year Elevate Craftsmanship Each winter, the Concrete Foundations Association opens a competition to its membership for a broad spectrum of cast-in-place concrete projects. These projects evidence the skill, quality, craftsmanship and at times creativity of today’s cast-in-place […]

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Sep
21

CFA Companies Making Important Moves

Two new states are now served by concrete professionals that have achieved the status of Certified Residential Foundation Company, Indiana and Utah. Custom Concrete Company, Inc. of Westfield, Ind. and Solid Concrete Walls, Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah. CFA Convention is appropriately positioned near the start of the next fiscal year for the CFA. […]

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Aug
31

Coming Out On Top: CFA’s Projects of the Year Elevate Craftsmanship

Mount Vernon, IA Aug 31, 2016 – The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) – the recognized voice and authority for the residential concrete industry, announced the 2016 Projects of the Year award recipients at CFA Convention 2016 in Myrtle Beach, S. Car. on Saturday, July 23, 2016. Three projects were recognized as award winners including the Grand Overall Project of […]

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Aug
31

2016 Projects of the Year: Custom Concrete Company

Single Family Residence Foundation 2,000 to 5,000 sq.ft. Delp Foundation Custom Concrete Company Greenwood, Indiana     The average size home in the United States last year reached 2,600 sq.ft. according to the Census Bureau.  Receiving the popular vote for top residential foundation in this size range, however, was a project that certainly can’t be […]

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Aug
31

2016 Projects of the Year: Commercial Structure

Commercial Structure Howell Mill Herbert Construction Company Atlanta, Georgia    Since 2010, companies have been submitting commercial projects to the CFA’s annual Projects of the Year competition to evidence the growth that has occurred of cast-in-place foundation technology and expertise throughout those larger or broader markets.  Often awarded are very large and deep, as well […]

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Magazine Issues

Dec
8

Old Thinking Won’t Lead to New Ideas 5 Tips to Instantly Become More Innovative

By Susan Robertson Español | Translation Provided by the CFA When you really need new ideas or fresh thinking or a creative solution to a challenge, a typical, day-to-day approach in your thinking is not the optimal process. Using the same old thinking will simply lead you to the same old ideas you’ve already had […]

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Dec
8

WALL FOREMAN QUALIFICATION SYLLABUS

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA In 2020, the CFA Board of Directors created a Strategic Plan to focus Association energy for the next few years.  This plan identified education as a primary need for field workers and a formalized plan to qualify training for the wall foreman as a key opportunity.  Working with […]

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Dec
8

PLAN DE ESTUDIOS PARA TÍTULO DE CAPATAZ DE MUROS

English | Translation Provided by the CFA En 2020, la Junta Directiva de la CFA creó un plan estratégico para enfocar la energía de la Asociación durante los próximos años. Este plan identificó la educación como la necesidad principal para los trabajadores en el campo y un plan formal de capacitación calificada para los capataces […]

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Sep
26

Nuevo programa para reportes de evaluación de equivalencia al IRC agiliza el proceso para obtener el permiso de construcción al ofrecer un diseño prescriptivo

English | Translation Provided by the CFA Primer reporte completado por Helix Steel para Helix Micro Rebar Brea, CA – Una nueva oferta innovadora del Servicio de Evaluación ICC (ICC-ES) es un Reporte de Evaluación de Equivalencia (EER, por sus siglas en inglés) al IRC, que indica los hallazgos de una aplicación final particular o […]

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Sep
26

Better Businesses Together

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA We just wrapped up our annual summer convention, and it was a blast! Great speakers, fantastic food, a wonderful venue, and all in the beautiful city of Boston. I always walk away from these events enthused and rejuvenated, having spent time with my peers and other professionals who […]

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Sep
26

Mejores negocios juntos

English | Translation Provided by the CFA ¡Acabamos de concluir nuestra convención anual del verano y fue genial! Excelentes oradores, comida increíble, un recinto maravilloso y todo en la hermosa ciudad de Boston. Siempre salgo de estos eventos entusiasmado y rejuvenecido, después de haber pasado tiempo con mis compañeros y otros profesionales que buscan mejorar […]

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Sep
26

New IRC Equivalency Evaluation Report Program Streamlines Building Permit Process by Offering Prescriptive Design

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA Brea, CA – An innovative new offering from ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), an IRC Equivalency Evaluation Report (EER), indicates the findings of a particular end use application or design of a building product, evaluated by ICC-ES, for compliance with the prescriptive requirements of the International Residential Code® (IRC). […]

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Sep
26

Compromiso con la excelencia

English | Translation Provided by the CFA Como lector de esta revista, usted es uno de dos conjuntos de personas. Usted es un empleado o propietario de una empresa que figura en nuestro directorio de miembros en línea, o la Concrete Foundations Association lo identifica como un “cliente potencial”. No importa en qué grupo se […]

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Sep
26

Commitment to Excellence

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA As a regular reader of Concrete Facts, I hope you recall the article announcing the retirement of our long-time staff member, Janette Barr (Concrete Facts 29-2, winter 2022, p. 23). As we published that article, I was considering the impact of employment transitions I have been experiencing through […]

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Sep
26

Professional Liability: Are Contractors Adequately Protected?

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA As the lines of responsibility between design firms and contractors merge, contractors are assuming nontraditional risk that their core insurance coverages may not address. Professional liability coverage has become just as essential to a contractor as it is to an architect or engineer. Learn about the contractor’s professional […]

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