A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Concrete Foundations Association Responds to Pending Shortage of Form Ties:
Shortage could create a temporary shutdown in residential construction (March 11, 2021 – Mt. Vernon, Iowa) — The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) – the leading organization serving as the voice of cast-in-place contractors – has announced an industry-wide effort to mitigate the pending shortage of steel form ties across the North American markets. According to James […]
Dan Durant Named VP of Sales Eastern North America as MAX USA Corp Continues to Expand
For the past five and a half years, Dan Durant has worked diligently to expand his skills and knowledge of how MAX USA Corp. can exceed and support the construction markets’ needs with its growing line of industrial tools and innovative solutions. Originally coming onboard as a Regional Sales Manager in 2015, Dan has continued […]
Magazine Issues
U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA Extends Compliance Date for Electronically Submitting Injury, Illness Reports to December 15, 2017
WASHINGTON, DC – To allow affected employers additional time to become familiar with a new electronic reporting system launched on August 1, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has extended the date by which employers must electronically report injury and illness data through the Injury Tracking Application (ITA) to December 15, 2017. […]
Putzmeister To Unveil New 30-Meter Class of Truck-Mounted Concrete Boom Pumps
STURTEVANT, WIS. (Nov. 21, 2018) – Putzmeister America, Inc. (Putzmeister) will introduce its redesigned, optimized line of 30-meter class Truck-Mounted Concrete Boom Pumps in 2018. Each model shares a calm, sturdy pedestal with increased strength and a more robust structure, as well as new options packages for customization compared to the line’s previous iterations. “Across […]
Seven Lessons Learned From Firing 300 People
Over the course of many years, I’ve fired more than 300 employees at our concrete construction company. The list of reasons for the dismissals is long and varied. I’ve fired people because they’ve caused problems on job sites, refused to take direction from their Foremen, stolen from the company or coworkers, been under the influence […]
Code Compliance with Insulated Concrete Form Foundations
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are increasingly being used as foundations in commercial and residential projects. Part of the reason is that ICFs naturally help comply with increasingly strict energy codes. While many are familiar with ICFs for above-grade walls, their benefits transfer to foundations as well. Energy code compliance, quicker more efficient construction, and safer […]
Planning for the Future Workforce
Understanding how to recruit, train, and motivate a younger generation is helping create successful industry leaders – and social media is helping. by Tina Grady Barbaccia, AEC Editorial Specialist, Constructive Communication, Inc. One of the common stories in concrete construction that remains today is that of the son or daughter who began working with […]
Recharging Your Leadership
CFA Board of Directors adds four new faces for 2017-2020 By James Baty Like most organizations, the Board of Directors is the governing body for the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA). It consists of leaders volunteering their time, attention and financial resources in response to their pride and passion for this industry. As the CFA fiscal […]
SCHWING AMERICA ACQUIRES ASSETS OF LOOP BELT INDUSTRIES
ST. PAUL, MINN. (September 29, 2017) – Schwing America, worldwide designer, manufacturer and distributor of premium concrete production and handling equipment, announced the closing of transaction for the purchase of all the assets of Loop Belt Industries, makers of high-quality truck mounted telescopic conveyors. “We are thrilled to acquire the assets of Loop Belt Industries […]
Profoundly Impacted by Convention
This issue of the magazine introduces the newest CFA Board members. One of the common threads between them is easily found in the profound impact that Convention, meeting and networking with peers has had on them. This is not unique by any stretch of the imagination to a member of the Board. Talk with any […]
Success Only Comes After Work!
The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. After many years in business, I can attest to that being a “Concrete Fact.” Becoming a CFA member will never take the hard work out of success, but membership sure can lighten the load and, hopefully, help avoid the pitfalls of our industry through […]
Acceptable Tolerances for Residential Footings
As published in Concrete Contractor Magazine, August/September 2017. This column pertains to the nature of minimum requirements or specifications for the size of concrete footings in relation to the foundation walls they support. Question: I have a foundation that was poured and I am not impressed. The footings were poured and when they set the […]
The Risk of Not Knowing: Duty to Provide Fall Protection
Originally published in Concrete Contractor magazine. Question: Yesterday, an OSHA inspector witnessed two of our crew members standing atop the formwork, while finishing a pour. The first worker was floating the wall and the second worker was installing anchor bolts. Both of these are standard procedures for us and the workers are trained and confident working […]
ASSOCIATION NEWS: CFA Health and Safety Survey Says…
CFA conducted a survey on the state of safety education in member companies. The survey was the precursor for work being undertaken to develop a learning management system (LMS) and offer online courses for access by members of the Association, to bring better education to the workforce. Such an LMS not only elevates the quality […]
