Workers must first create the forms that define the shape of the concrete panels and place the rebar in the forms.
Create the Concrete Slab
Prior to the beginning of the tilt-up construction process, the concrete slab is poured to create the floor, where the tilt-up panels will be created.
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Line Out the Tilt-up Concrete Panel Forms
The first step in creating the tilt-up panels is to draw lines on the concrete floor slab where the concrete panels will be formed and poured.
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Place Brackets to Define Openings and Edges
Once the lines have been drawn, workers place brackets to outline where the tilt-up panels’ outside boundaries, windows and door openings will be.
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Precision is Crucial When Building the Panel Forms
Ensuring the exact placement of the concrete forms is critical to the success of the project. The tilt-up concrete panels must be sized and positioned in precisely the right dimensions and location.
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Building the Panel Forms
Workers build the tilt-up panel forms out of wood and connect them to the braces.
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The Jigsaw Puzzle of Panel Forms
Once assembled, the tilt-up construction panel forms create a jigsaw puzzle pattern on the floor slab. But the random appearance to the forms’ placement is deceiving; each form is built and positioned precisely to allow the crews to tilt them into their final spot in the coming days.
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Rebar Placed in Panel Forms
Rebar is placed in the completed concrete panel forms. Rebar is a critical component of tilt-up construction. The rebar strengthens the tilt-up concrete panels, making them safer to lift into a standing position and more durable once in place.
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Embeds and Inserts
Workers also position embeds and inserts into the tilt-up panels so they will become part of the tilt-up concrete panels once the pouring takes place.
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Embeds and Inserts
With the wood forms securely constructed and the rebar and embeds / inserts in place, the tilt-up concrete panels in the photo above are ready to be poured with concrete.
