A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
ADDIDRIVE SYSTEM DEBUTS on Putzmeister America, Inc.’s 70Z
The Addidrive system, the first of its kind in North America, is an innovative front drive system that provides over 12,000 pounds (5,443kg) of traction force to aunit’s tractor steer axles giving it an incredible 10×10 drive configuration. The system is featured on Putzmeister America, Inc.’s 70Z truck-mounted concrete boom pump. “With the ability to be activated on the fly, this feature is especially helpful when […]
IMPROVED WALL SURFACES. Cleaner Forms & Cleaner Application. Lower Applied Cost.
Alumi-Con from Nox-Crete Products Group is a chemically reactive, low odor, low VOC, super concentrated form release agent specifically formulated for use on aluminum forms. Alumi-Con is Green Engineered™ and is manufactured to be safer for both the applicator and the environment through the use of safer raw materials. IMPROVED WALL SURFACES. Nox-Crete’s Alumi-Con off ers the consistent, quality performance expected of a Nox-Crete form […]
WHEN QUALITY MEETS VALUE Zoomlion 40-meter Boom Pump
During the World of Concrete 2009, CIFA USA, Inc., the management group for Zoomlion America, introduced the new ZLJ 40X-4Z. Th is is the 1st concrete boom pump unit produced exclusively for the North American marketplace in cooperation of the two newly joined groups at their Milwaukee Wisconsin facility. “We planned the unit knowing that the American buyer not only looks for a great […]
CFA Presents Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award to Barry Herbert
Herbert has been member of the CFA since 1992 Mount Vernon, Iowa (September 18, 2009) — The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) – an international association dedicated to improving the quality and acceptance of cast-in-place concrete foundations and creating better businesses that construct those foundations – recently presented its highest honor, the Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service […]
2009 PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Concrete Facts magazine sat down with CFA Technical Director, Jim Baty to find out more about this program for you. See what Jim had to say about this very important membership benefit. Why should your members consider this award program? Awards programs are created to do two primary things. The first is to raise awareness of the professionalism and quality of the market that they surround and […]
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Turn to Professional Associations
by Kim Douglas When the economy is in a slump, most of us look for ways to reduce spending, ruthlessly slashing every expenditure that doesn’t deliver direct bottom-line benefit. But sometimes well-intended cost-cutting can fall victim to the law of unintended consequences. Take professional organization membership, for example. You might think your annual dues, event fees and other association costs are fat that can […]
Magazine Issues
Obituary: Ronald E. Colvin (1943-2017)
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of longtime member and past president of the CFA, Ronald E. Colvin. A Berrien Springs icon passed away on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017: Ronald E. Colvin, known to all as “RC.” He was the first New Year’s baby born on Jan. 1, 1943, […]
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, […]
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 […]
UNDERSTANDING PYRRHOTITE IN CONCRETE
by James Baty, Gary Ehrlich, Jamie Farny, Don Penepent, and Dennis Purinton Concrete, the most widely used construction material in the world, is a complex matrix of materials that transforms into a reliable structural product. With so many variables—different ingredients, different performance requirements, varying exposures—specifiers are faced with many choices when designing durable concrete mixtures […]
3 Tips from a Seasoned Concrete Contractor
Follow these ideas to become a more profitable contractor. In the Farmers Insurance commercials, the tagline is: “We know a thing or two, because we’ve seen a thing or two.” I feel the same way about the concrete construction industry. I’ve seen a lot of changes in the industry, as well as noticing that […]
Letter from the Director: Endings Really Are New Beginnings
Over the last few months I have been reminded time and time again of the impact companies and leaders in this Association have had on the blueprint for this industry and the legacy they have left behind. I have such vivid memories of leaders like Ron Colvin (p.17, 19), a former president of the CFA, […]
Letter from the President
For many of us the usual winter weather has generated scheduling problems, loss of work volume, and many unproductive days. On the brighter side, we have all been blessed with the ability to be profitable by the plentiful volume of work during the nicer seasons of the year, I call this “inside the box work” […]
2017 Product & Services Showcase
This feature brings you the current products & services that may be found represented by the member companies of the Concrete Foundations Association to make the work of concrete contractors more efficient and of higher quality. PRODUCT & SERVICES SHOWCASE AUTOCAR | www.autocartruck.com | 877-973-3486 At Autocar, building trucks isn’t just what we do – it’s […]
Letter from the Director: OSHA Regulations Bring Increased Relevance
Just from the title, I presume you have already slid to the edge of your seat or crossed your arms in frustration or defiance for what you might read in this letter. After all, in the marketplace there are more real cases now than ever before of contractors and projects impacted by the increased attention […]
Letter from the President: Business Does Not Change Effectiveness
It has been a very busy year for both our company and the association. We left the summer meeting with renewed enthusiasm for our business and, equally important, enthusiasm for subject areas the CFA needed to address. We live in an ever-changing world, and I have come to realize and understand the need to […]
Tricks of the Trade: Rebar Racks for Crew Trucks
This issue’s Trick of the Trade is shared by CFA member, Doug Herbert of Herbert Construction in Marietta, GA. Doug continues the challenge to you the reader to think about the ways you’ve overcome annoying details and situations to be more effective and economical in your work. If you are from an active CFA member […]
Give A Little, Learn A Lot
There is something to be said for those who take the time and energy to go out of their way to help somebody in need, even more so for those who are able to ask for help when it is needed. Oftentimes the benefits of helping others are not always tangible, and it is that […]
