Tilt up construction has existed for around 100 years. In this timespan, many advancements have been made, and commercial concrete has been changed forever because of it. Let's have a brief history lesson on tilt up construction services.

The Early 1900s

Robert Aiken is the father of tilt up construction. Being from the Midwest, he used this new method to raise buildings fast and efficiently. By the Great Depression, the technique was rarely used since it was a labor-saving method that wasn't necessary at the time. Post-World War II saw a construction boom in the United States. With worker shortages and a lack of skilled labor, Aiken's technique saw the light of day once again.

The 1950s & 1960s

In 1956, concrete construction was launched and changed the way that we build buildings forever. Tilt up construction had become a dominant form of construction. Developers began developing specific tools for the process, such as chemical bond breakers, temporary braces, and custom lifting devices. Commercial concrete services adopted these methods and technologies very quickly. In 1963, many luxury tilt up houses were built in California. These homes were 3,600 square feet, but only cost about $11 per square foot, according to Concrete Construction. This was huge for all commercial concrete contractors considering that was 25% less than what other custom homes in the area cost.

The 1970s & 1980s

With the 1970s came the influx of computers assisting in tilt up construction. The assistance of new technology made more complicated architectural treatments possible. According to Concrete Construction, some of these tilt up homes could now be sold for as little as $4,000 each, making them some of the most affordable home designs on the market at the time. In 1980, the tilt up construction industry saw the implementation of post-tensioning. This helped alleviate lifting stress in panels and allowed contractors to create taller, more complex panels without hassle.

According to Statista, around 88.5 million metric tons of cement were produced in the U.S. in 2018. This is all thanks to the advancements in tilt up construction services. Now we are efficient as ever when it comes to erecting buildings. If you're interested in learning more about tilt up construction services, don't hesitate to contact our team at Doran Construction today.