Articles on Tilt-up Construction

Steel Buildings and Tilt-up Concrete Construction Together: Using the Strengths of Each

Here are some very common examples of how steel, concrete and tilt-up construction are used together to provide the best quality and value:

A large steel office building or retail center may use tilt-up concrete panels for interior fire walls or exterior facades. The Mervyn's retail store in Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas pictured to the right was constructed in just this manner.

An existing manufacturing building or warehouse made of concrete blocks could be expanded by adding a steel lean-to structure to one of its exterior support walls.

A distribution center built using the cement blocks of traditional construction will frequently use a steel roofing system and a rigid frame similar to what a metal building might use. Regardless what material is used, this combination of a rigid frame and steel roof is necessary to provide a large clearspan.

These are just a few situations where the best choice for a project might be a steel building with tilt-up construction components, or a concrete structure with steel framework, roof system or steel add-ons or expansions. A general contractor who is well versed in the advantages and limitations of all methods of construction can help determine what is the best approach on any given project. Visit our Construction Links page for general contractors and construction managers who are experienced in tilt-up construction.

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Tilt-up Construction Photographs

	Preparing the Concrete Panel Forms Workers plan out and build the forms, then place the rebar, embeds and inserts into the forms.
	Pouring the Concrete Panels After pouring the concrete into the forms, the workers smooth the surface. Once the concrete sets, they remove the forms.
	Standing the Panels Here's where tilt-up gets its name. The crew lifts the panel with a crane and stand it up into position, then brace it safely into place.