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Steel Buildings and Tilt-up Construction |  |
Steel and Tilt-up Together: Using the Strengths of EachAn
important fact to remember is that the use of steel in building is not necessarily
exclusive of concrete or blocks. In larger or more sophisticated projects the
different raw materials and construction methods are frequently used together.
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Mervyn's building in the Dallas / Ft. Worth, Texas area was constructed with a
combination of steel and concrete - a steel framework surrounded by tilt-up walls
for exterior facades. | | Here
are some very common examples of how steel, concrete and tilt-up construction
are used together to provide the best quality and value: - A
large steel office building or retail center may use tilt-up concrete panels for
interior fire walls or exterior facades. The Mervyn's department store in the
Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas area pictured to the right was constructed in just
this manner.
- An existing manufacturing building
or warehouse made of concrete blocks could be expanded by adding a steel lean-to
structure to one of its exterior support walls.
- A
distribution center built using the cement blocks of traditional construction
will frequently use a steel roofing system and a rigid frame similar to what a
metal building might use. Regardless what material is used, this combination of
a rigid frame and steel roof is necessary to provide a large clearspan.
These
are just a few situations where the best choice for a project might be a steel
building with tilt-up construction components, or a concrete structure with steel
framework, roof system or steel add-ons or expansions. A general contractor who
is well versed in the advantages and limitations of all methods of construction
can help determine what is the best approach on any given project. Visit our Construction
Links page for general contractors and construction managers who are experienced
in tilt-up construction. Return
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