• 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

Jun
30

A New American National Standard For Material Placement Safety

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL PERSONNEL ON A CONCRETE POUR ARE NOW SPECIFIED IN ASME B30-2014 The American National Standard for material placement system safety is ASME B30.27. (Material placement systems are concrete pumps and concrete conveyors.) ASME has released B30.27-2014. It is currently available as an electronic download and as a printed booklet. The date of issuance […]

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Jun
30

The Social Age Evolutionary Workplace

…VERY LITTLE HAS CHANGED IN HOW WE HIRE AND MANAGE STAFF – WHICH HAS LED TO LOW EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY AND HIGH EMPLOYEE TURNOVER….WE MUST EVOLVE OUR BUSINESS PRACTICES… by Kim Seeling Smith The war for talent is over and talent has won. Technology and globalization have dramatically changed the way we work over the last 20 […]

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Jun
30

Management Corner: 10 Steps to Reduce Employment Related Risk

ATTEND CFA CONVENTION IN SANDUSKY, OHIO FOR MORE FROM DAVID WHITLOCK ABOUT EMPLOYER ISSUES As we are now about halfway through 2014, it is a perfect time to take the temperature of your employment compliance. There are a number of important changes in the law as well as compliance matters that you need to stay on […]

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Jun
30

MOVING UP, MOVING FORWARD

NEW MEMBERS | NEW BENEFITS | STRONG FOUNDATIONS This is an exciting time for the Concrete Foundations Association. Many of you are part of that energy and excitement and many of you are benefitting from it. At no time in the last decade has membership been growing as fast as it is right now and […]

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Jun
6

OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down for Fall Prevention

OSHA is promoting a national Safety Stand-Down during the week of June 2-6, 2014 in an effort to raise awareness among employers and workers in the construction industry about the hazards of falls. The Concrete Foundation Association (CFA), www.cfawalls.org, fully supports the program and strongly encourages all of its member companies to participate in this awareness […]

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Mar
30

OSHA Whistleblower Investigations

Employers need to make sure their policies and practices do not violate the law by Jim Rogers, jimrogers@asu.edu   As contractors, we are all aware of OSHA and its role in protecting the health and safety of our workforce. Many contractors send their personnel to receive training related to record keeping requirements and job site regulations; however, one area that is often […]

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Magazine Issues

Feb
11

2019 PROJECTS OF THE YEAR

A Good Ground Game Is a Sound Game Plan The recognitions for Projects of the Year were made during the Concrete Foundation Convention 2019 in Denver, Colorado this summer. Seen there was another crop of great projects constructed from some familiar CFA members who contribute annually to this competition, as well as some new and […]

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Feb
11

BIG BITES ARE NOT ALWAYS BIG PLATES

The 2019 Overall Grand Project of the Year | Lafond TALPEY CONSTRUCTION, WESTBROOK, CONNECTICUT CFA Contractor Member The top-scoring project submitted for the 2019 Projects of the Year is an example of the adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” With their second project of the year award, Talpey Construction constructed […]

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Feb
11

THE BIGGER SIDE OF CAST-IN-PLACE

Multi-Family Foundation Structure | Poplar Creek Apartments VAN WYKS INC., WALDO, WISCONSIN CFA Contractor Member A returning participant in the annual CFA Projects of the Year program, Van Wyks Inc., demonstrated the diversity of talent and proficiency found in CFA contractor members all across the country, including the sophistication of technology to create their story. […]

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Feb
11

CORNERED BUT NOT CONFINED

Commercial Foundation Structure | Carlson Landing TALPEY CONSTRUCTION, WESTBROOK, CONNECTICUT CFA Contractor Member  The winning entry for the Commercial Foundation Projects category comes from the Connecticut-based CFA member, Talpey Construction. Known as Carlson Landing, this commercial foundation presented the extreme challenge of tight spaces, excessive corners, and an extensive rebar schedule. The foundation is for […]

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Feb
11

100% PURE GRAIN CHALLENGE

Agricultural Foundation Structure | Robert’s Grain Facility ATKINS BROTHERS CONCRETE, BEAVERCREEK, OHIO CFA Contractor Member  A CFA member new to the process of submitting for the Projects of the Year competition sought the opportunity to tell their story of taking on one of the most challenging projects they had encountered in recent years. Atkins Brothers […]

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Feb
11

“UN-BRIDLED” SIZE AND PLAN COMPLEXITY

Single-Family Foundation, Over 5,000 Square Feet | 26 Bridlebourne CUSTOM CONCRETE, WESTFIELD, INDIANA CFA Contractor Member Another regular participant in CFA’s annual Project of the Year competition, Custom Concrete of Westfield, Indiana, entered this year with one of the more complicated perimeter configurations for the behemoth residence category. There certainly have been bigger structures winning […]

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Feb
11

EXPOSED CONCRETE MASTERY

Single-Family Foundation, 2,000–5,000 Square FeetBrowning-Plunkett Ski Lodge SOLID CONCRETE WALLS, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH CFA Contractor Member The winning entry for the 2019 CFA Project of the Year award was Solid Concrete Walls of Salt Lake City, Utah. This medium-sized yet complex structure attests to the popularity of board form architectural concrete in that region. […]

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Jan
29

Concrete Foundations Convention 2019 “It’s A Wrap!”

Every year, the Concrete Foundations Convention brings together cast-in-place contractors, design professionals, suppliers and manufactures for three days of education, networking, exhibitions, certification, awards, and much more. The event is the largest annual gathering dedicated to the cast-in-place concrete industry, and plays a vital role in the growth and development of companies, big and small, […]

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Jan
29

In Memory of Lawrence D. Clark

Larry Clark, 84, passed away November 8, 2019. He was born on December 10, 1934 to Newton and Elsie (Harper) Clark in Lansing, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert and Herb; two sisters, Hazel and Patricia; and great-grandson, Oliver. He is survived by his wife, Doris; two sons, David […]

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Jan
29

Hottmann Construction Becomes Newest Certified Foundation Company in Wisconsin

Residential concrete foundations constructed in the state of Wisconsin will now be produced by Wisconsin’s newest CFA Certified Foundation Company, Hottmann Construction Co. Inc. The Certified Foundation Company program was established by the Concrete Foundations Association, headquartered in Mount Vernon, Iowa. The program offers third-party rating and quality assurance for professional concrete foundation companies. The […]

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Jan
29

Are You Willing to Reach Into Your Stocking?

In seemingly a blink of an eye, we have gone from our Concrete Foundations Convention in July, through the ACI Fall Convention in Cincinnati, and promptly right through Christmas and New Year’s Eve. While I am writing this a couple of weeks before that actually happens, I realize you are reading this after it has […]

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Jan
29

Greetings to a New Year, Members and Associates!

Welcome to fresh beginnings and my sincere hope, all of you enjoyed the holidays and your families! World of Concrete 2020 is quickly upon us and with it, a special time to not only start a new year but also a decade. Times, technology, ways of conducting business, workforces and equipment are changing ever faster. […]

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