• 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

Aug
3

2011 Projects of the Year: Commercial/Multi-Family

Commercial/ Multi-Family Structure 11 River MPW Construction Services Rocky River, Ohio       Seeming precariously-perched on the banks of the the Rocky River in Rocky River, Ohio, the 11 River project by MPW is your selection for this category in 2011.  From start to finish the project posed challenges begi ning with the fact […]

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Aug
3

2011 Projects of the Year: Above-Grade Concrete Home

Above-Grade Concrete Home Lytle Residence Basement Contractors and Herbert Construction Company Bush, Louisiana   Often times, the most successful projects are those where collaboration and high-quality construction overcomes the challenges of design and location.  The CFA has long been built on the concept of networking and collaboration and this year’s winning entry to the above-grade […]

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Aug
3

2011 Projects of the Year: Single Family Residence >5,000 sq.ft

Single Family Residence >5000 sq.ft. Balboa Blvd Project Ekedal Concrete Newport Beach, California   A staple in our awards program these past few years has been Ekedal Concrete and some of the masterpiece challenges that they have landed up and down the West Coast.  Truly amazing foundations perched or built into the cliffs in communities […]

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Aug
3

2011 Projects of the Year Overall Grand Project: Single Family Residence >5,000 sq.ft.

Single Family Residence >5,000 sq.ft. Private Residence River City Foundations Louisville, Kentucky   They say that everything is bigger in Texas but not to be outdone, this year’s number one project as voted online by visitors to our website, is from the great state of Kentucky.  River City Foundations, a CFA member since 2005, submitted […]

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Jun
15

2011 CFA PROJECTS OF THE YEAR

Summer Convention is just around the corner and with it comes our focus on many of the best CFA features in all regards. One of the most significant and underutilized opportunities is the CFA Projects of the Year program. Each year, as a member of the CFA, you have the opportunity to look back at projects you’ve completed that offered the biggest challenges or were the […]

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Apr
12

THE UN-COMFORT ZONE

This month we feature another article by the talented author, Robert Wilson. Writer of The Un-comfort Zone, Mr. Wilson is always able to convey a message of focus, growth and sensibility that can be applied to each of our businesses. What is your company doing to educate key individuals? What steps is your company taking to educate all personnel? World […]

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Magazine Issues

Mar
16

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, […]

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Mar
16

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, […]

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Mar
16

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 […]

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Photo courtesy of CT Home Inspedtors - www.allied123.com
Mar
16

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 […]

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Mar
8

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 […]

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Mar
8

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, […]

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Mar
8

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” […]

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Dec
6

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 […]

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Dec
6

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 […]

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Dec
6

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 […]

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Dec
6

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 […]

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Dec
6

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 […]

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