Article: When Does Concrete Make More Sense?

This article basically went over the conditions and scenarios when concrete construction is better to use than steel.

It states that as projects become larger than 50,000 square feet the price of concrete starts to offset tilt-up construction's fixed costs and the method of concrete construction becomes cost-competitive with a metal building. The larger the building, the more advantageous tilt-up construction becomes.

It also states that the location of a site will influence the building materials used. Depending on the rules and regulations of each area some materials may not be used. It gives an example of an area with fairly high restrictions because of closeness of the neighbouring buildings. Fire restrictions are therfore in place and steel would become an unsutable alternative.

The moble crane lifts the panel and tilts it into position over the footing on this tilt-up construction project in the Dallas / Ft. Worth, TX area. In many cases, tilt-up construction is a better - and even more economical - choice than steel buildings

Article 2: Tilt-up Construction: A General Contractor's Approach to Innovative Commercial Building Construction

www.generalcontracter.com


This article basically explains why tilt-up construction is an innovative method for building commercial facilities with amazing speed, safety, and cost benefits. It also explains the differences between tilt up and other forms of construction.

Tiltwall building's walls are created horizontally in large slabs of concrete called panels. The panels are then lifted, or tilted up, into position around the building's slab. This means the tilt-up structure's exterior wall is virtually finished when it is tilted into place.

"Tilt-up construction (also called tiltwall or tilt wall construction) has a long history, but its widespread use is a relatively new phenomenon. In spite of this, tiltwall construction is fast becoming the method of choice for constructing modern warehouses, call centers, distribution centers, retail stores, office and storage buildings and other types of industrial and commercial facilities."

This is the model put together. You can see the beam connection to the cleat and purlin. The roofing structure is also seen with the mesh, insulation and metal roof seen.

This is another pic of my model. This time you can see the metal roofing. The roofing is screwed on to the purlin, holding on the insulation and mesh.

Model

Here is a picture of my model. You can see the i beam, the cleat which is welded to the beam, the zed purlin which is bolted to the cleat, and the mesh and insulation which is held down by the roofing.