raSmith’s structural engineering staff of over 30 individuals includes registered professional engineers who can sign and seal drawings in 48 states. In addition to tilt-up design, raSmith works on projects nationwide in conventional structural system design, cold-formed steel framing design, and finish systems design. Our diverse skillset and national experience positions us as leaders in the industry and enables us to continue expanding our geographic reach into new markets.
raSmith provides comprehensive tilt-up engineering services to meet the complex needs of our clients. This construction technique is highly versatile and can be applied in various applications such as schools, warehouses, office buildings, and various other markets. Compared to precast panels, tilt-up construction offers a cost-effective and efficient alternative. Tilt-up panels are formed and erected on site, eliminating the dimensional constraints associated with transportation by trucks. This on-site forming and erection process allows for a shorter construction schedule. From the initial design phase to project completion, raSmith offers expert support, including engineered panel drawings and assistance with any questions that may arise.
Tilt-Up Structural Engineering Services
raSmith offers comprehensive engineering services to guide our clients through their entire tilt-up project. Our full-service, tilt-up engineering package will provide the assurance our clients need from project initiation to completion, and our team remains consistently available to promptly address any inquiries at every stage of the project lifecycle. Our individual panel drawings provide a detailed reinforcement plan to ensure accurate placement in the field. Our primary objective is to deliver an exceptional product while ensuring the project stays on track.
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- Structural Panel Design and Analysis
- Determine code requirements
- Evaluate site conditions and constraints
- Develop optimal panel dimensions and thickness
- Design panel openings and all reinforcement and embed requirements
- Construction Documentation
- Prepare detailed construction drawings
- Create specifications for tilt-up panel fabrication and installation
- Engineer reinforcement detailing and anchoring requirements
- Verify and document compliance with local building codes and regulations
- Project Management and Support
- Collaborate with architects, contractors, and subcontractors
- Review construction plans and oversee implementation
- Provide technical support and guidance during construction
- Conduct on-site inspections and quality control
- Project Management and Support
- Structural Evaliation
- Analyze lateral and gravity load paths to confirm structural stability and code compliance
- Ensure compliance with current safety standards and structural design regulations
- Structural Panel Design and Analysis
Why choose raSmith as your Tilt-Up Engineering Partner?
raSmith brings nationwide experience as engineer of record on diverse building types, providing the perspective needed for seamless integration of tilt-up systems into broader structural designs. We collaborate closely with contractors to accommodate preferred erection practices, tailoring reinforcement, connection details, and sequencing to streamline field operations. This practical partnership, combined with our deep expertise in reinforced-concrete behavior and current codes, yields cost-effective designs that meet project requirements while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.
Tilt-Up FAQs
What Does Tilt-Up Mean in Construction?
Tilt-up construction casts large reinforced-concrete wall panels horizontally on the building slab, then lifts (“tilts”) them into place with a crane, forming the structure’s envelope in days rather than weeks. raSmith’s licensed structural engineers design each panel, embed, and lift sequence to meet code in 48 states while maximizing speed and economy.
What Is the Difference Between Tilt-Up and Precast Panels?
The difference between tilt up and precase panels is location. Tilt-up panels are formed and cured on the project site and lifted immediately, whereas precast panels are manufactured in a factory, trucked to the site, and then craned into place. This distinction drives variations in panel size limits, shipping logistics, schedule, and finish control.
What Are Tilt-Up Structural Engineering Services?
Tilt-up structural engineering services cover every technical element required to turn architectural intent into code-compliant, lift-ready concrete panels. raSmith’s team prepares complete plan and panel layouts with wall elevations, specifies concrete mixes and reinforcement schedules, designs secure connections to the foundation and superstructure, and issues PE-stamped drawings and calculations for approval by the authority having jurisdiction and the engineer of record.
What Are The Benefits of Tilt-Up Engineering?
The benefits of tilt-up engineering include design versatility, enhanced energy performance, reduced construction time, and reduced costs. Tilt-up engineering unlocks design flexibility because panels are cast on site rather than constrained by trucking limits or factory forms, allowing varied sizes, shapes, and architectural reveals. The method’s high thermal mass prevents large fluctuations in temperature, and where even higher energy efficiency is required, insulation can be integrated into the wall panel to further enhance their performance. On-site casting also compresses construction schedules, often lowering overall costs compared with precast systems.
Can Tilt-Up Construction be Used for Both Small and Large-Scale Projects?
Yes, tilt-up construction can be used for both small and large-scale projects. Because each panel is formed on the project slab, tilt-up adapts equally well to compact one-story facilities to expansive distribution centers. The absence of shipping restrictions lets engineers proportion panels to the specific footprint and height of any commercial, industrial, educational, or religious building, making the technique scalable without compromising efficiency or aesthetics.
