Abstract
As a low-cost, low-technology construction method, tilt-up concrete has become one of the fastest growing solutions for addressing lowered budget constraints brought about by the recession. It has typically been considered an acceptable building methodology for everyday buildings and big box retail. Recently, it has gained a foothold with architects as an innovative way of form-making for other projects. As important a development as this is, perhaps tilt-up construction’s most intriguing potential is in the leading-edge research in its use accommodating affordable access to a very high level of federal government-mandated criteria for blast and progressive collapse resistance. This article explores the connection between the form-making potential of tilt-up construction and its untapped technical performance possibilities by way of a group research case study of the conversion of an existing design to meet the above criteria and the subsequent cost modeling to do so.