• 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

Mar
30

Marketing Corner: Building Your New Marketing Program

Q&A WITH NORTHERN CONCRETE Leveraging digital media and relationships may be about as far from your mindset as a concrete contractor as is venturing into new market such as high-rise core construction. The complex world of Google, Yahoo, facebook, LinkedIn, twitter, instagram, Pinterest and a host of others has for many turned competent and savvy […]

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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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Mar
30

Code Corner: Impact of Codes

WHAT IMPACT ARE THE CURRENT CODES, REGULATIONS , AND STANDARDS HAVING ON YOUR COMPANY? The latest information on regulations, codes and standards that we have been tracking and working with has been prepared for your reference. What impact are these having on your company? What will be the largest hurdles in your implementation and preparation […]

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Mar
30

The 2014 CFA Grand Project of the Year: A Madison Gardenesque

Another great year of project submittals demonstrating some of the most incredible construction feats is in the books. A record number of votes recorded on the show floor at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas this past January and a strong online voting contingent evaluated the seven projects vying to be named a CFA Project of the Year. […]

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Mar
30

Moving Towards Profitability – CFA’s Annual Convention 2014

The largest gathering of residential cast-in-place contractors in the country! Convention Theme:  Moving Towards Profitability When:  July 31 – Aug 2, 2014 Where:  Kalahari Resort, Sandusky, Ohio A focus on industry education and networking, an emphasis on a great family experience. SCHEDULE A jam-packed education and networking event. The schedule-at-a-glance is: Wednesday, July 30 Insurance Captive […]

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Mar
17

Structura Technologies Introduces MonoKast Wall Systems

Structura Technologies is pleased to announce the introduction of MonoKast Precast Wall Systems™.  MonoKast™ is a pre-engineered modular precast concrete wall system with applications in residential construction. MonoKast™ panels are insulated to meet the latest energy standards now being enforced in many markets. MonoKast™ technology is licensed to local precast concrete suppliers and poured concrete […]

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Magazine Issues

Jun
6

New Jersey Pedestrian Bridge Challenges Brick-Inlay System

Collingswood, NY – When the New Jersey DOT proposed a pedestrian bridge as part of a reconstruction plan for Routes 30 and 130 near Camden, city officials were anxious for the improvements to begin. They were also happy to see that brick was the specified finish material. However, hand-set brick was not in the DOT […]

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Jun
6

BIODEGRADABILITY DEFINED

“Biodegradability” is a word that has been inappropriately used in the past. While nearly “everything” is biodegradable over some period of time, clarification was needed on what actually constitutes “biodegradability” to the EPA. The correct definition of “biodegradability” can be found in the ‘EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), 1998, Fate, Transport and Transportation Test Guidelines, Office of […]

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Jun
6

You Don’t Have To Be A Big Company To Do Big Work

————————– Accurate Concrete Forming David Newman, Owner 601 B Louis Ave North, Watertown, MN 55388 952-955-3911 fax 952-955-3912 davnewman3@aol.com Started in 2002, specializing in poured walls construction ————————– When Ebert Construction needed an experienced poured wall outfit to pour their salt storage building for the City of St. Paul, they went to their local poured […]

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Jun
6

Residential Foundation Contractors Find New Opportunities by Expanding into Commercial Work

It is no secret that companies grow by diversifying, provided they are loyal to building on their core strengths. As such, it is no surprise that many residential foundation contractors have begun applying their proven poured wall concrete expertise to the commercial market. By expanding into new markets, many have found they can off-set the […]

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Jun
6

From the (ex) President

As this magazine reaches you, I am winding down my two year gig as the President of this wonderful group of people and companies. It is hard to believe that it has been two years, but the calendar says it is true. I am reminded of an event several years ago when a good friend […]

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Jun
6

National Associates Take a Bow!!

The Concrete Foundations Association is made up primarily of contractor members, but one group of members who constantly step to the plate to add value to the Association are our National Associate members. Without them, all of our events would be more expensive and less informative; our magazine would be much smaller and black and […]

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May
3

Tech Talk: Footing Discontinuities According to Code

As Published by Concrete Homes Magazine (May-2006) by James Baty, CFA Editor’s Note: As part of our partnership with the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA), the following article is the second in a series on residential construction codes. For more information, visit cfawalls.org or call (319) 895-6940. Codes are developed to provide assurance that structures are […]

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Apr
14

LET’S TALK ABOUT CHANGING YOUR BUSINESS CFA Spring Meeting Triumphs in Indy

There are many reasons why a foundation contracting company might look to the CFA for potential interest. On the surface, the Association has been providing access to some of the highest quality equipment and products for thirty years. However, time and time again, it is the individuals that make the commitment to get to an […]

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Apr
14

Surveys- MVI or MIV?

The CFA Staff has recently sent out several surveys to its members; one to collect our thoughts on some of our competition, one to poll us about our historical experience of sill-plate connections and even one on the topic of certification. Is it worth your time to fill these questionnaires out and return them? Are […]

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Apr
14

A Complete Residential Concrete Code

The first edition of the ACI 332 Code – Requirements for Residential Concrete Construction, has been published. Chapter 7 (Foundation Walls) is referenced in the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code. But what comes next? The 332 Committee has begun working on the next version (’07) with a goal to make it a complete residential concrete […]

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Apr
14

U.S. Ready to Increase Mexican Cement Imports

Yet to be finalized, an accord announced by the U.S. and Mexico last week to settle a 16-year dispute on anti-dumping duties on Mexican cement imports will help to alleviate shortages of the building material that have been reported in more than 30 states. “With U.S. capacity running at full tilt, the nation still must […]

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Apr
14

www.theconcretesource.com

The world wide web continues to grow and serve as an ever-more-useful tool to all of us in the foundation industry. As one of the sponsors of The Concrete Source, CFA welcomes this new presence on the web as yet another great resource for us. This site is organized into contractors, manufacturers, and manufacturer catalogs, […]

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