• Superar la permeabilidad del concreto con tecnología multicristalina

    Thursday, June 25, 2026

    Por Mark Chew, vicepresidente de Ventas y Marketing para EE. UU. y Canadá, ICC Distribution Group Si bien muchas características del sector de los cimientos de concreto se han mantenido constantes a lo largo de los años, algunos cambios notables —como los avances tecnológicos y la llegada del cemento Portland-caliza (PLC), o concreto 1L— han […]

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  • 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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Feature

Aug
2

2015 Projects of the Year Overall Grand Project: Commercial/Multi Family

Commercial Structure The George Washington University Science and Engineering Hall Ballinger AE Washington DC   The project recognized by popular vote as this year’s overall grand project is the Science & Engineering Hall at George Washington University.  Submitted by Ballinger AE, a professional member of the CFA, this project also demonstrates the growing network of […]

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Jul
1

Employing the Next Generation – Convention Seminar

CFA Convention 2015 Williamsburg, VA July 23-25 “Bridging The Generational Gaps” presented by Jason Ells of Custom Concrete The next generation:  who are they and how do we engage them?  Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials; they all have their strengths, weaknesses and characteristics that set them apart.  However, today’s business owners face very real […]

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Jun
5

OSHA New Confined Space Rule

OSHA CLAIMS NEW CONFINED SPACE RULE WILL PREVENT 780 INJURIES A YEAR The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a final rule to increase protections for construction workers in confined spaces. Confined spaces are described by OSHA as spaces not designed for people yet large enough for workers to enter and perform certain jobs. They […]

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Jun
5

CFA PROJECTS OF THE YEAR

THE CFA PROJECTS OF THE YEAR AS DETERMINED BY YOU…. What work is your company proud of most when completed? How many foundations have you scrutinized during estimating, fought during construction and perfected through closeout? When the project is completed, does your crew and your company for that matter get a chance to pause a […]

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May
27

“RECRUITING KEEPERS” AND “KEEPING RECRUITS” TO BE PRESENTED AT CFA CONVENTION 2015

Are you having trouble finding and keeping good workers? You can’t miss David Whitlock’s sessions on Workforce Development, Friday, July 24 at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Va. Recruiting Keepers – This session will explore and discuss effective recruitment strategies for finding good workers. It will be focused specifically on what you can and cannot […]

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May
14

2015 PROJECTS OF THE YEAR HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED BY THE CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS ASSOCIATION

Mount Vernon, Iowa—Following evaluation by the industry and general public during the World of Concrete and online at www.cfawalls.org, the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) has announced the recipients for the 2015 Projects of the Year.  The awards will be presented publicly during CFA Convention 2015, to be held in Williamsburg, Va. July 23-25. Among the […]

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Magazine Issues

Jul
13

How Google Might be Limiting Your Employment Exposure

By Chris Nastav, KC Web Specialists – A CFA Consulting Member As an active CFA consultant, we feel an obligation at times to point out the things in our specialty area that might be of importance to you.   If you are swimming in a sea of work right now and struggling to find employees, […]

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Jul
13

Destination Employers Promote Education

CFA Signs MOU with Columbia Southern University for Member Benefits #CFACON2021 takes place next month in Charleston, South Carolina.  In many ways, this event can be seen as focusing on a primary variable, risk and need in your company–workforce development.  Keynote speakers for the event, Mack and Ria Story, will lead you along a path […]

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Jul
13

YOU’VE RECEIVED AN OSHA CITATION – NOW WHAT?

The 4-Step Process Every Company Should Know  By Julia Kunlo, MSOSH, CSP The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) usually conducts around 32,000 inspections a year. For companies who are involved in an inspection and receive fines/citations, most are surprised by the hazards discovered and unsure of next steps to take. While avenues exist to […]

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Jul
13

INTERCONNECTIONS: Leveraging relationships built by common interest

During strategic planning this winter, the CFA Board of Directors strengthened its commitment that one of the primary benefits of this association membership is the network connections and the relatability of members across a broad range of demographics.  In the coming weeks, you will be introduced to a survey for information about your company, filling […]

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Jul
13

Twenty Years! Where Does Time Go?

This spring marks the completion of twenty years serving as a staff member for the Concrete Foundations Association.  Having received an invitation in early 2000 to consider a change of career focus, I could never have imagined the diverse world that I would soon move into, one where every day is marked with a different […]

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Jul
13

Let’s Get Back Together Again

The annual CFA Convention is fast approaching. After going virtual in 2020, we are happy to announce that we’re getting back together for this year’s in-person event. The event will take place in beautiful Charleston, SC. Having been to the city on a few occasions, I can assure you that it lives up to its […]

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Apr
27

Wall Tie Shortage, and New Initiatives

As if dealing with COVID-19 and World of Concrete getting cancelled wasn’t enough, residential concrete contractors faced a severe wall tie shortage this Spring. As soon as the issue was brought to our attention by CFA member, Dan Bromley, the association mobilized and immediately began working on the problem. With terrific work by our Executive […]

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Apr
27

Turning the Page

When was the last time you read a really good book of the page-turner variety? Each page is turned more quickly than the previous one. An anticipating pace races you deeper into the plot, the action, the historical moment, or the truth you are seeking. With that picture in mind, consider the page turning taking […]

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Apr
27

Contraction Joints in Residential Slabs Using a New Method

By Harvey Haynes, Haynes & Associates LLC; Oakland, CA Introduction The cracking of concrete slabs is unsightly and has long been a frustration for concrete contractors who receive complaints and callbacks from homeowners. Concrete, by its nature, will contract due to thermal cooling and drying shrinkage. This material behavior causes concrete elements to decrease in […]

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Apr
27

The Lowdown on the Letdown:

Why Some People Drop the Ball and What To Do About It By Kate Zabriski  He didn’t get the shipments out – again! Makes me crazy. That guy never follows through. She said I’d get a promotion, so where is it? I’ve been waiting for three years. “All talk and no action” – that phrase […]

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Apr
27

Science Fair 2020: Final Report

By: Calvin Menke, 7th grade  Abstract The question being asked is “Does freezing concrete affect the long term strength?” The purpose of this experiment is to determine the long term strength of concrete after being frozen. The experiment will test concretes breaking points after being frozen. This researcher hypothesized freezing concrete will affect the long […]

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Apr
27

Oppose Increases to Motor Carriers’ Federal Insurance Requirements

Support truckers, farmers and manufacturers by rejecting unnecessary increases to their operating costs. The Concrete Foundations Association is one of more than 60 national and regional organizations actively working to prevent the legislation discussed in this article.  We believe that such a drastic increase in the minimum requirements for insurance is an overreach of the […]

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