If you want a building that is durable, long-lasting, flexible, attractive, reasonably priced, efficient and one in which you can take pride, you should consider Tilt-up concrete construction. It isn’t new. Tilt-Up has been in use since the turn of the century, and in the 1940s, it became the preferred method of construction for many types of structures such as warehouses and distribution centers.

Here are some reasons to consider Tilt-Up (also known as architectural site cast precast concrete) for your next building.

1. Fast track design-build - Construction of the wall panels can proceed while the rest of the building is being designed. You can get earlier occupancy. Compression of the schedule makes it possible for many phases to proceed simultaneously.
2. Cost Containment - In-place material costs are more competitive than precast, masonry and steel structures. Fewer variables and ready mixed concrete (made from readily available local materials) means savings and price stability.
3. Positive cash flow - Materials are used as soon as they are purchased. This allows for early payment, unlike off-site fabricated building components that require long lead times.
4. Innovation - Beautiful buildings are possible at costs that rival the most utilitarian industrial building. Tilt-up contractors are innovative and continually work to improve techniques.
5. Lower Operating Costs - Less heat and air-conditioning will be required. Smaller, less costly mechanical systems can often be used. The thermal mass inherent in concrete reduces the heating and cooling peaks and loads. Insulation systems are available that easily meet the latest continuous insulation requirements with the construction of integral sandwich walls or lightweight interior insulation.
6. Maintenance - The exterior can be designed with a natural, unpainted finished surface that withstands the elements. Concrete interiors are superior in damage prevention, and more easily maintained.
7. Expansion - You can design and build a facility that allows easy expansion simply by detaching and relocating the concrete panels or cutting new openings. Renovation of the flexible, clear space with column-free perimeters can also be accomplished with relative ease.
8. Sound Control - The mass absorbs the sound rather than letting it through as in metal and wood-frame buildings. If your building is to be located in a noisy area or sensitive to outside sounds like a movie theater, you get the benefit of the sound reduction properties of concrete.
9. Safety - Most work is on the ground. There is no vertical formwork or scaffolding, since walls are constructed horizontally. Since the floor slab is poured first, workers have a safer working surface. The short project cycle presents less opportunity for accidents.

There are many other advantages to Tilt-Up that are quite popular right now including performance for blast protection and progressive collapse, LEED appropriateness and Security. To get more information on Tilt-Up, visit Tilt-Up Concrete Association.

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Special thanks to Greg Frigerio, Tilt-Up expert, at Midwest Concrete Contractors in St. Louis and James R. Baty II, Technical Director at the Tilt-Up Concrete Association, for reviewing and making suggestions for this UPworld blog.