Tilt-Action Australia Lifts 40-ton Panels

Forty-ton panels, all unusually shaped with multiple large reveals and a new bondbreaker left Tilt Action in Queensland, Australia with their work cut out. Tilt-Action specializes in commercial and residential tilt panel construction, but this community center project posed several new challenges.

Tilt Action’s Shane Thomson readily admitted this was the most difficult project he had been involved in over 20 years in tilt up construction. Using a new bondbreaker only added to the reservations on this project.

Thomson switched to Silcoseal Select four projects ago after using solvent-based bondbreakers for years. He was hesitant to try the product because he heard water-based bondbreakers did not work. However, Justin Guifoyle, Account Manager at Reid, and Jeff Linn, International Sales at Nox-Crete, went to the job site to explain why he should try Silcoseal Select.

“Since then, I haven’t looked back, using only 260 lt (68 gal) on my past three projects to produce 3200 sqm (34,000 sq ft) of panels,” said Thomson.

The sheer size and weight of the panels posed a major engineering challenge during lifting. Many of the panels were flexible, oddly shaped and had several reveals. Increased stress on the panels could cause cracks or a disastrous break. However, Thomson was impressed by the effect Silcoseal Select had on suction forces, which is when the panel is lifted and “pops” from the casting bed.

“Panel 18 in this project was 37 tonnes (40.7 tons),” said Thomson. “The crane could only position itself on one side because of the panel’s length, and I was amazed that the crane operator only had to put 14 tonnes (15.4 tons) on it to break the suction.”

Since the switch to Silcoseal Select, Tilt Action has had a 50 percent higher coverage rate and saved in crane costs because of the reduced suction.

To see photos and learn more about this project, visit Reid’s website.