Using tilt-up concrete can benefit project timeline and budget in a number of ways. As a relatively modern construction innovation, tilt-up concrete can trace its origins to around the beginning of the 20th century. The method is becoming more commonly used across the world, thanks to all the advantages it can lend to a project.
Indeed, tilt-up concrete has become particularly popular with Design/Build contractors. These firms, which already place a great focus on streamlined operations and cost-savings, can leverage the tilt-up process in specific projects to great effect. Origins of Tilt-Up Tilt-up concrete construction has gained prominence as a construction method over that last several decades. In the past, wall construction was done vertically via masonry, precast concrete and other time consuming methods. Robert Aiken had the idea in 1906 to pour concrete into molds layered horizontally over the foundation, and to then tip those walls up so they stood in a vertical position, tilt-up.org reported. Tilt-up's use has greatly increased in the century-plus since, and the process has become even more refined as new technologies allow for more options and larger scale. For instance, tilt-up concrete can have brick or stone, be multi story and even have internal insulation. How does tilt-up work? According to Tiltup.com, the process begins with preparing and pouring the building floor slab. It is critical to have a perfectly flat, smooth finish on the floor slab as this will be the start of the forms for the panels. Wood, plastic or metal forms are built on the floor slab for each tilt-up panel that will be cast. A grid of steel reinforcing bars is then arranged in each form. Once the formwork is complete, concrete is placed into each form to complete the panels. The forms are removed from the panel, as early as the next morning in preparation for the next step of lifting the panels into place. A heavy-duty crane is brought on site to lift each panel into its final position on the footing. Workers on the ground guide the panel into place and connect temporary braces to each panel. With the panels in place the roof steel can be connected to the top of each panel and temporary braces are removed completing the process. What are the advantages of tilt-up? The clearest and most hailed benefits of tilt-up concrete are reduced costs and accelerated schedule. Some other advantages include: ● Lower costs: Much of the reason for tilt-up’s popularity is directly connected to its cost benefit. A more efficient process using less material and man hours translates into a more cost effective initial construction cost. Building owners also experience the added benefit over low ongoing maintenance expenses with tilt-up concrete due to its lack of masonry mortar joints and nearly indestructible strength. ● Accelerated construction schedule: Speed of construction is a key benefit to tilt-up, as the time it takes to pour the panels and lift them into position is quicker than the more intensive work of building walls vertically. ● Durability: According to tilt-up.org, structures built using the tilt-up method endured through the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake. Because of the concrete panel strength, it is less susceptible to damage for forklift and vehicle damage compared to other construction types such as concrete block masonry and pre-engineered metal buildings. ● Customization: Brick, stone, reveals and other applications have allowed tilt-up to be used in other industries beyond industrial. Retail, office, medical and entertainment facilities commonly use tilt-up construction as its design versatility has grown over the years. Keystone Construction is well-versed in tilt-up Keystone Construction, with decades of experience in Design/Build, has been using tilt-up concrete as a construction type for the last 25 years. In the applications where it makes sense, we have been using the tilt-up method, and our clients have seen the advantages at the initial build and over the long haul of building ownership. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your next build and if tilt-up concrete is an option. |
KeystoneA St. Louis based Commercial Design/Build Contractor founded in 1987. Office, Retail, Industrial and Healthcare Archives
January 2024
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