4 Benefits and 1 Disadvantage To Concrete Tilt-Ups
With all the different materials you can use to construct a building how do you know which ones work and which ones don’t? Historically speaking the concrete tilt-up is the most common choice for buildings in terms of materials and design. While the concrete tilt-up does have many benefits it also has one main disadvantage which we will be talking about today.
Pro: Cost Efficient
Generally speaking, a concrete tilt-up takes less manpower to put together. The biggest expense is going to be to get a crane, but in terms of other equipment like scaffolding, a concrete tilt-up is going to cost less money to build.
Pro: Fast and Safe to Install
The casting process in a concrete tilt-up does take time and you will need a crane to put them into place for installation. But, while this job is being done, your crew can be working on other jobs.
Pro: Small Carbon Footprint
A concrete tilt-up means you will have less waste overall compared to traditional cast in walls. Traditional cast in walls will require things forms and other materials for the casting process. A concrete tilt-up, on the other hand, has less waste to get rid of.
Pro: Some Customization and Design Is Available
When most people think of a concrete building they think of a plain or drab looking building. But actually, a concrete tilt-up allows for some customization and design for a more decorative look and feel.
Con: High Danger of Severe Earthquake Damage
Even though concrete buildings have been used and built since before the 1940s, if you have or want a concrete tilt-up you’ll need to get it retrofitted if you live in earthquake-prone areas such as California.
One of the biggest reasons a concrete tilt-up is not exceptional when it comes to earthquakes is because of the heavy concrete walls – these walls want to pull apart from the roof, which makes them a hazard when it comes to earthquakes. In fact, they can be extremely dangerous during and after an earthquake, and if you have a concrete tilt-up building built before 1996, local regulations may require that you have it retrofitted for seismic safety.
Call to Learn About Seismic Retrofit for Your Concrete Tilt-Up
Thankfully it’s very easy to retrofit a concrete tilt-up–even if it’s currently occupied. Some of the components to retrofitting a concrete tilt-up would include; roof to wall anchors, continuity ties and rarely steel braced frames, concrete footings and roof nailing,
If you need to retrofit your current concrete tilt up building, or you want more information on how a retrofit works, contact Saunders Seismic.