Article review

Steel Construction vs. Tilt-up construction

The article stated that steel construction was becoming a more widespread system of construction, to to prefabricated steel members now being available, and its attraction due to reasonably efficient construction. Relative to efficiency, the cost of steel can also be less (even than tilt-up construction) if a prefabricated system is used.
Also, one major drawcard in steel construction (especially in commercial construction), is its ability to span greater lengths unsupported than traditional materials.

The arguement for tilt-up concrete construction in preference to steel construction was that in a building over 50,000 square feet, concrete becomes cheaper in construction than steel. Another argument was that the fire protection of concrete tilt-up panels is greater than steel so (applied into an industrial area) more concrete constructed buildings could be place lesser distances to each other than steel.

Also, the prefabricated nature of the tilt-up panel means that once it arrives on site, construction is very efficient, the drawback to this is the expense of large machinery needed to erect the large panels.

Another reason concrete would be more advisable is that over its life span it generally has lower maintenance costs.

My opinion is that they are both effective techniques in building construction due to their strength, and efficiency in construction. However, both must be applied to the right scenario to maxamise the materials capabilities, if safe and efficient construction is wanting to be acheived.