The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA), a non-profit international organization that serves to expand and improve the use of site-cast tilt-up as the preferred construction method, has announced that 2005 was a record year for tilt-up construction sales in the United States.

With more than 753 million square feet of buildings (approximately 301 million square feet of wall panels) constructed using tilt-up in 2005, and approximately 664 million square feet of buildings (approximately 265 million square feet of wall panels) constructed in 2004, the industry experienced a growth rate of 13 percent in 2005.

The annual growth rate is based on sales of lifting inserts as reported by the major manufacturers of tilt-up accessories. Lifting inserts are designed for a given thickness of panel and have a maximum lifting capacity.

Using a series of calculations that account for under-utilization and other factors, the total square foot of panels lifted, based on the connectors sold, is calculated. Then, using an industry-accepted ratio for low-rise buildings of wall-to-floor area of 0.40, the square foot of floor area enclosed by tilt-up wall construction is estimated.