Tilt-up construction involves producing large concrete panels which are then titled/lifted into their position via the use of a crane. Tilt-up construction has become one of the most popular Australian construction methods for commercial and industrial projects as it can deliver high quality completion in a shorter period of time.
Tilt-up construction is supported by prop hire in Sydney, with tilt braces freely available for construction companies who incorporate this highly efficient building method.
Let’s take a closer look at tilt-up construction and why it’s such a popular method for construction companies across Australia and formwork contractors Sydney.
The tilt-up construction process
- You first have to prepare your concrete slabs, which can be done in one of two ways, including:
Poured: tilt-up panels are moulded in an on-site casting slab, which reduces transport costs.
Precast: Precast concrete panels are produced elsewhere, which are then transported to the construction site via the company that produced them.
- You then lay out the floor slab and produce the formwork. Formwork is designed to help with curing and strengthening the concrete slab and is more suitable for thicker slabs where the risk of concrete cracks is higher.
- You then apply the necessary agents, as well as place reinforcements, structural steel, as well as attaching lifting and bracing hardware.
- You then pour concrete into the forms before being finished and cured. If the weather is bad, pouring the concrete may be delayed until it improves. Surface cracks are a great risk when pouring concrete in bad weather.
- The concrete curing produce can take anywhere from seven – 10 days as it needs time to strengthen and dry. Once it has dried, you can cut concrete elements to size. The formwork is either reused for another section of the same project or removed completely. Mistakes can be made in this period, including blown out formwork, which, unfortunately, results in uneven tilt-up wall panels – you may require a professional concrete cutter to cut the edges so they work alongside other project panels.
- The panels are then tilted or lifted into place from their produced position by a crane. Before releasing the panels, temporary braces are emplaced to offer additional support until the roof is installed.
- Finally, the connections are produced between panels, including connecting the walls to floor slab using concrete, repairing any blemishes, caulking joints, connecting the roof and then removing the bracing before continuing with the project.
Typical tilt-up construction applications
- Warehouses
- Renovating old warehouses
- Offices
- Shopping centres
- Large industrial projects
- Medical centres
- Schools
- Factories
Benefits of tilt-up construction
Tilt-up construction comes with a range of benefits, including:
- Tilt-up wall panels are load-bearing, meaning they don’t require roof beams or perimeter columns, which are usually required with precast concrete projects. This provides increased flexibility for design changes and exterior openings, such as wall sawing a doorway for industrial roller doors and cutting windows to improve lighting.
- They provide enhanced design flexibility.
- They produce a more uniform finish.
- They reduce construction costs for businesses.
- They have superior thermal performance and conserve energy.
Tilt-up construction has become an incredibly popular method in Australia for the above-listed benefits and more. It is a quick, cost-efficient and highly flexible method for producing a fine build, as well as producing a more uniform finish for the likes of factories, schools, medical centres, shopping centres and much, much more. As we continue to build up, tilt-up construction will increase in popularity – it’s just that efficient!
