Precast Concrete Wall Panel Thickness
Precast Concrete Wall Panel Thickness
(OP)
Hello All,
I have a steel framed tower that will be clad with precast concrete panels. The floor to floor height is 11'-8" on the tower. The maximum width of the panel is about 17' per the architectural elevations. I'm planning to use 5" panels with 3/4" reveals. The panel design is delegated to the contractor. Is there any minimum thickness requirement that I should be aware of for the panel size I plan to use? I think the 5" thickness is plenty for the floor to floor height span, but I wonder if it would suffice during erection?
Thanks in advance.
I have a steel framed tower that will be clad with precast concrete panels. The floor to floor height is 11'-8" on the tower. The maximum width of the panel is about 17' per the architectural elevations. I'm planning to use 5" panels with 3/4" reveals. The panel design is delegated to the contractor. Is there any minimum thickness requirement that I should be aware of for the panel size I plan to use? I think the 5" thickness is plenty for the floor to floor height span, but I wonder if it would suffice during erection?
Thanks in advance.






RE: Precast Concrete Wall Panel Thickness
5" sounds OK to me = L/50 is a starting point for tilt-up panels.
At 17 feet that gives you 4" as a min.
RE: Precast Concrete Wall Panel Thickness
If they are site cast panels because of the transportation and logistics, that leaves the responsibility on the contractor since swinging some thing that size from horizontal to vertical can be problematic.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: Precast Concrete Wall Panel Thickness
RE: Precast Concrete Wall Panel Thickness
If the panels are to be shop fabricated and shipped to the jobsite, you need to limit the width to 12' so they'll fit on a truck bed.
RE: Precast Concrete Wall Panel Thickness
RE: Precast Concrete Wall Panel Thickness
RE: Precast Concrete Wall Panel Thickness
Brad
RE: Precast Concrete Wall Panel Thickness
The H/50 is a good rule of thumb for most panels and is used as a minimum rule in a number of countries.
Be careful with cantilevers as I have actually seen panels vibrating and swaying in the wind.
I have encountered problems with obtaining suitable fixings for thin panels 4.5 inches and less so this may also be a problem for this.
There are so many variables so you definately need to get the precaster involved.