Evaluating precast concrete column tilt-up methods to examine erection safety

A hybrid composite precast concrete column (called the Smart column) was developed to increase the productivity of the tilt-up construction method. The Smart column, consisting of three precast concrete members connected by steel joints, is three storeys high. The joints where concrete is not poured during production consist of connection steels and rebars installed through the three precast concrete members, and these are possible failure areas due to stress concentration. Although the Smart column is designed safely through sufficient structural details, failure can occur during the tilt-up process, which clearly adversely affects projects costs and time scales. The results of a field experiment to analyse the safe erection of Smart columns are presented in this paper. The strains in the embedded rebars were measured during the tilt-up process in five different lifting procedures. All five lifting procedures exhibited small strain behaviour in the reinforcing bars, indicating no significant bending during the lifting procedures and thus proving the safe erection of a Smart column.