• Overcoming Concrete Permeability with Multi-crystalline Technology

    Thursday, June 18, 2026

    By Mark Chew, VP Sales & Marketing US and Canada, ICC Distribution Group While many attributes of the concrete foundation industry have remained constant throughout the years, notable changes including technological advancements and the advent of Portland-limestone cement (PLC), or 1L concrete have introduced new challenges. Additionally, the inherent porosity of concrete makes it vulnerable […]

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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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  • Happy Anniversary to Our Members!

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    As we close out 2025, the CFA celebrates four standout members who are marking significant anniversaries.

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  • Buck Bartley smiles at the camera while at a job site.

    CFA Charter Member Passes: Robert Taylor “Buck” Bartley, Jr. 1938-2025

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    The CFA commemorates the life of Robert “Buck” Bartley, one of the founding members of the association.

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  • Concrete Facts Magazine Spring 2025 Issue Now Available in Spanish

    Tuesday, April 29, 2025

    The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) is excited to highlight the Spanish-language edition of the latest issue of its industry magazine, Concrete Facts. Released quarterly in both English and Spanish, Concrete Facts delivers high-value insights, technical expertise and industry updates to English- and Spanish-speaking concrete professionals across North America and beyond. According to James Baty, Executive […]

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Feature

Sep
26

Backfilling Basics: Backfilling the Wrong way Often Costs More than Doing it Right

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA BY R. T. BUCK BARTLEY As originally published in Concrete Construction, 1991 Editor’s Note:  One of the most recently technical inquiries to Association headquarters pertained to a basement foundation that had two walls fail when the builder was backfilling. The concrete contractor was under scrutiny and being considered […]

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Sep
26

Tight Market Conditions Briefing

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA Provided by the Portland Cement Association Material specifiers frequently need to choose between concrete and alternative building materials.  As concrete’s use has grown, cement shortages have begun to surface.  Specifiers need accurate information about the shortage situation, and this briefing is an effort to provide the latest available […]

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Sep
26

2022 CFA PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION AWARDS

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA RECOGNIZING EXPERIENCE, COMMITMENT, AND PERSEVERANCE Annually, the collective leadership receives and makes nominations for individuals and companies embodying the spirit, mission, and vision of the Association. These exemplify the energy, influence, passion, and servant leadership that advances industry, fosters relationship, and elevates the professionalism for all member organizations. […]

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Sep
26

How Does a Job in High School Predict Success Working for a Concrete Contractor?

Español | Translation Provided by the CFA By Bill Humbert, The Recruiter Guy / www.RecruiterGuy.com / Bill@RecruiterGuy.com Interviewing candidates is always interesting for me. We have an opportunity to learn about the candidates and their professional lives. (Yes, even laborers have professional lives.) You have seen laborers who you trust to do their jobs, no […]

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Jul
20

How One CFA Member is Growing and Diversifying by Taking Control of Their Concrete

By Kris Moorman CFA member, Custom Concrete, a family-owned and operated organization that is headquartered out of Indianapolis, strives to be the industry leader in providing concrete solutions. They specialize in residential, commercial, multi-family, and room-addition foundations. Due to the current industry demands, Custom Concrete had its busiest year in 2021 in over a decade. […]

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Jun
27

Federal OSHA Announced the Launch of a National Emphasis Program (NEP) On Heat Illness and Injury 

by Tim Neubauer, MS, CSP, President of Exceed Safety LLC When it is extremely hot and humid weather, your body’s ability to cool itself is diminished. If your body heats too rapidly it will use body fluids to cool itself. When this happens, too much fluid or salt is lost through sweating. The body temperature […]

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Magazine Issues

Jul
13

Innovator MAX USA Corp. Introduces a New Large Jaw Cordless Rebar Tying Tool

MAX USA Corp. launched its new large jaw cordless rebar tying tool, the TwinTier RB611T. This exciting new rebar tying tool is the world’s only battery powered rebar tying tool with the ability to tie #9 x #10 rebar. Powered by MAX proprietary TwinTier technology, the RB611T is faster and delivers even greater efficiency and […]

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Jul
13

Summer is here!

I can scarcely believe that I’m uttering that statement. Where have the months gone? Technically speaking, it is still spring for me — but you will be reading this in the summer and wondering where the first half of the year has gone. Some stayed or worked from home, most pressed forward as essential businesses, […]

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Jul
13

A Tough Start to the Year

In the last few months, we have experienced events that none of us could have imagined when 2020 started! We have experienced a health pandemic, quarantines, economic shut downs, protests, and riots. Some of us have had to shuttle or curtail most or our operations.   The world has changed in a very short period […]

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Jul
13

AOE Announces CIM Fellowship Through the ACIF in Honor of Wendy Ward

Monday, July 13, 2020, Detroit, MI Launched in conjunction with the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Foundation, AOE has announced the establishment of The Advancing Organizational Excellence Fellowship. The AOE Fellowship honors Wendy O. Ward, a member of the AOE team for more than 10 years. She passed away at the early age of 32 from breast […]

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Jul
7

AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE TRANSITIONS ITS CONVENTION TO VIRTUAL EVENT

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (July 7, 2020) – Due to local, state, and federal regulations, and to protect the health and safety of attendees, the American Concrete Institute announces the transition of the ACI Concrete Convention from an in-person event in Raleigh, NC, USA, this October, to a 100% virtual event.  The ACI Virtual Concrete Convention will […]

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May
13

Brian McKendree Hired on as Director of Consultative Services for Evolution Safety Resources

Evolution Safety Resources, a safety consultation firm based in Raleigh, is pleased to announce it has hired Brian McKendree on as our Director of Consultative Services. Brian has more than 24 years of experience in the safety and health field, working in the construction and pharmaceutical industries. Brian obtained his Master’s Degree in Occupational Safety […]

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Apr
28

Innovator MAX USA Corp. Introduces a New Large Jaw Cordless Rebar Tying Tool

New York, NY, April 28, 2020- MAX USA Corp. launched its new large jaw cordless rebar tying tool, the TwinTier RB611T. This exciting new rebar tying tool is the world’s only battery powered rebar tying tool with the ability to tie #9 x #10 rebar. Powered by MAX proprietary TwinTier technology, the RB611T is faster […]

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Apr
14

CFA Members Urged to ‘Stand Down’ for Coronavirus Safety

CFA, in partnership with the NAHB, is urging our members, and all residential construction companies, to halt work for at least 10 minutes on Thursday, April 16, for a COVID-19 Job Site Safety Stand Down to educate workers on what they should do to keep themselves safe from coronavirus and to help “flatten the curve” […]

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Apr
14

U.S. Department of Labor Announces OSHA Interim Enforcement Response Plan to Protect Workers during the Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced an interim enforcement response plan for the coronavirus pandemic. The response plan provides instructions and guidance to OSHA Area Offices and compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) for handling coronavirus-related complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports.  During the coronavirus outbreak, OSHA Area […]

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Apr
14

The Survey Says…

Reinforcement Trends Facing the Market by James Baty, Executive Director World of Concrete 2020 has come and gone. The Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada serves as the annual home for WOC, a show that draws an average of 60,000 people each year. It continues to prove itself to be the global concrete industry’s most […]

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Apr
13

Evaluating Safety’s Return on Investment

by Julia Kunlo, CSP, Tim Neubauer, MSOSH, CSP When discussing corporate safety, it is common to hear catchy taglines such as: “Safety is #1” “Safety is our top priority” “Safety above all else” “Safety first” As an occupational safety consultant at Evolution Safety Resources, I am thrilled to hear that organizations are placing a high […]

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Apr
13

Walk-Out Foundation Frost-Free Design

Recently, a CFA contractor contacted Association headquarters for assistance in a difficult conversation taking place. A project under construction was flagged to not proceed until corrective action was made. After a series of steps from permit approval through inspections, despite having a registered engineer involved to provide the design and remediation steps, the inspections department […]

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