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TCA Research Report on Partially Composite Panels is Available

Español | Translation Sponsored by TCA

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) announces the completion of the Research Report: Tilt-Up Partially Composite Insulated Wall Panels. This TCA-sponsored effort was performed by Dr. Marc Maguire, assistant professor, and Salam Al-Rubaye, graduate research assistant at the Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The report describes the most extensive and complete, full-scale testing of site-cast, composite and non-composite panels ever undertaken. It was conducted to ensure the safety of this form of construction as wall panels grow in height and complexity, and are connected using a variety of shear transfer products. 

Partially composite panels are increasingly needed to provide full edge-to-edge insulated and code-compliant concrete walls. The multiwythe form of construction has the added benefit of reducing the carbon footprint of the wall panels by lowering the amount of concrete required for taller wall panels and higher wind loads.

The report will be known as the “Grey Book.” This continues a tradition of engineers referring to the color of the report cover from the original Yellow Book and Green Book documents of the 1980s, which form the basis for today’s tilt-up industry and current building codes. The Grey Book validates the design procedures first described in the Yellow and Green Books, and now provides methods for engineers to safely design multiwythe, partially composite, insulated wall panels using a variety of commercially available connector systems.

Future TCA-sponsored work includes adapting the principles illustrated in the report into familiar building code format and design procedures, supported by design examples to illustrate the methods. Guidance on reliability (safety) factors is currently being studied by Dr. Maguire and will be available in the forthcoming design procedures. Future work will include the evaluation of in-plane loads, thermal bow, and connection considerations.

The report is publicly available and can be downloaded from the University of Nebraska’s website. Access can also be found at tilt-up.org/resources.

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TILT-UP TODAY, a publication of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association, is THE source for Tilt-Up industry news, market intelligence, business strategies, technical solutions, product information, and other resources for professionals in the Tilt-Up industry. A subscription to TILT-UP TODAY is included in a TCA membership. Subscriptions for potential TCA members are also available. If you would like to receive a complimentary subscription to the publication, please contact the TCA.