• 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

May
22

CFA Now Offers Members a Hot Line

Have you ever wondered how other contractors attack a problem, find a solution or answer a question that has been puzzling you?  Are you interested in testing your company structure, logistical systems, insurance policies or other business culture issues against respected peers? You’ve asked and we’ve listened.  Although there are two different online forums available […]

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May
22

Basements scarce in tornado-prone Oklahoma City area; here’s why

By Tom Watkins, CNN (as posted to http://www.cnn.com/) Country star Toby Keith tours the damage in his hometown of Moore, Oklahoma on ‘AC360’ tonight, 8pm ET. (CNN) — It’s one of the most familiar pieces of advice from authorities to people in the path of a tornado: Get into your basement. Yet few homes in the Oklahoma City area have […]

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May
22

OSHA extends compliance date for crane operator certification requirements

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced that it will propose to extend the compliance date for the crane operator certification requirement by three years to Nov. 10, 2017. The proposal would also extend to the same date the existing phase-in requirement that employers ensure that their operators are qualified to operate the […]

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May
21

Free Webinar on OSHA’s New Hazard Communication Requirements

The July 25 event is designed to answer some of the most common questions OSHA has received in the first year of Hazard Communication 2012 implementation The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revised its Hazard Communication Standard to align with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals […]

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Apr
24

OSHA’s new Crane Regulations Become Effective May 23rd

  Are you aware that on May 23rd, the final ruling by OSHA (August 2010) takes effect for underground construction and demolition? “It is important that construction workers in these sectors receive the same safety protections as other construction workers,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “Extending this […]

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Apr
6

Adding Water to Concrete: What’s a little water going to hurt?

By Bill Meek and Jim Turici     From: Concrete Construction April 2013   Have you ever been at a concrete placement when someone said, “How about adding some water to that load?” But is it acceptable to add water on site? Water addition to a load of concrete may or may not be acceptable depending on the parameters that […]

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Magazine Issues

Feb
17

CFA Board Update

Board meetings at the World of Concrete are always a busy affair with so many competing activities. The CFA board, however, tackled a host of initiatives and topics, several of which will result in additional member benefits and services. They are highlighted below. CFA CONSIDERS SAFETY PROGRAM A presentation on safety programs was made by […]

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Feb
17

Agreements – Changing the “Take It or Leave It” Format

Doug Staebler, Custom Concrete Company, Inc., Westfield, IN In previous articles, we looked at the growing use of Subcontractor agreements by builders. In addition to the typical clauses dealing with schedules, work defects, payment provisions, and other construction related matters, most of these agreements contain extremely potent indemnification clauses, which impose nearly unlimited liability on […]

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Feb
17

W.O.C. 2005 Wrap-up

Like most of you, I have had some experience with the World of Concrete shows. I’ll date myself by admitting that I attended my first in Dallas 1981, and later in Atlanta 1989. So with a perspective that spans 24 years, I can tell you they just keep getting more and more amazing. This year’s […]

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Feb
17

Educate Your Builders

NAHB UNIVERSITY OF HOUSING UNVEILS CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS COURSE The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is a powerful force in the business of home building. Most home builders in the United States belong and participate in their association and most of the members of CFA work with builders who are part of the NAHB. The […]

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Dec
14

NAWIC Invites Nominations for 11th Annual Crystal Vision Awards Program

Celebrating the achievements of individuals with vision who helped to promote, expand and encourage to role of women in the construction industry. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is accepting nominations for its 11th annual Crystal Vision and Crystal Achievement Awards. The Crystal Vision Awards Program recognizes individuals for their outstanding achievement in advancing the role […]

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Dec
14

PCA has a New Tech Brief

The Portland Cement Association recently published a tech brief, Technology Brief: Concrete Basements, to inform the building industry and consumers of the value in having a concrete basement. IS313-Concrete Basements describes why basements are built with concrete, what quality construction practices to look for, and the various types of cement based systems available to build with. […]

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Dec
14

Form-A-Drain: A Century of Innovations

Through innovation and creative product design, CertainTeed Corporation has helped shape the building products industry for more than 100 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Company, its slogan “Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed” quickly inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed is a leading North American manufacturer of vinyl and fiber cement siding; vinyl and […]

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Dec
14

Cranes & Equipment: We’ve All Come a Long Way

By: Joan E. Ausbury, President Cranes & Equipment Corp. Peoria, IL It was July 18, 1986, Kansas City, Missouri and the vision is still clear in my aging mind. The hole is dug, the footers are in, and there’s a busload of CFA members milling about the typical mounds of dirt around an excavation. The building site […]

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Dec
14

Western Forms: Working With the CFA to Help the Industry Grow

ABOUT WESTERN FORMS® What started 50 years ago as a form tie producer has grown into a leading aluminum forming systems manufacturer. Today, Western Forms delivers high quality, high performance form panels, hardware, tools, and accessories. With unique technological innovations, Western Forms continues to improve its position as a leader, in the minds of both […]

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Dec
14

Butler Construction: The Most Efficient on Efficiency

By: Talia J. Nelson, Marketing & Member Services Butler Construction formed in 1978 by president, Daniel Butler, in Auburn, Indiana. A small family owned business, it expanded from pouring basements to include pouring large walls for machinery press prints and retaining wall work. It specializes in total site and foundation construction. A CFA member since 1998, […]

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Dec
14

Purinton Builders, Inc.: On the Right Path

Talia J. Nelson, Marketing & Member Services Purinton Builders, Inc of Granby, Connecticut, is the type of company that CFA was created for. As with many businesses, it started out as one man with the desire to succeed. Dennis Purinton, President of Purinton Builders, Inc., started the journey to success in the spring of 1984. Originally, […]

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Dec
14

Dependant Foundations: Moving On Up

Byline: Talia J. Nelson, Marketing & Member Services You may have seen the name Mark Markovich beside “Treasurer” on the list of Concrete Foundations Association’s Board of Directors, but that is not the only organization in which Markovich actively participates. Markovich has been president of Dependant Foundations in Brighton, Michigan for the past 20 years. Dependant […]

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