Structural Engineering · Engineering Glossary
Tilt-up construction is a method of building construction in which concrete wall panels are cast horizontally on the building's floor slab and then lifted (tilted up) into place by a crane. Tilt-up is the dominant construction method for single-story industrial, warehouse, and big-box retail buildings in the western and southwestern United States.
Tilt-up panels are cast on the floor slab with embed plates, lifting inserts, and brace inserts cast in. After the panels reach design strength (typically 28 days), a crane attaches to the lifting hardware and tilts the panels to vertical, where they are braced temporarily until the roof is constructed. The structural engineer designs the panel for the lifting stresses, the in-place gravity and lateral loads, and the connections to the foundation and roof diaphragm. Openings in panels require jamb and header reinforcing to transfer loads around the opening. Tilt-up buildings are economical and fast to construct, but require careful coordination between the structural engineer, the tilt-up contractor, and the crane crew. Apex Grid has extensive tilt-up structural engineering experience across the Sun Belt.
Apex Grid Engineering maintains this glossary as a resource for architects, contractors, developers, and property owners who encounter unfamiliar engineering terminology on their projects.
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