Anyone have experience with precast concrete wall panels?

[Balls Out Garage]

I'm beginning planning on my new shop - a 50 x 50, single slope roof, 14' high on the front wall, 12' rear wall. The rear and right side walls will be retaining walls, all but about 3' - 4' below grade. Has anyone here done anything similar? I'm thinking of going with precast concrete panels for the walls. Other options would be poured in place concrete or 8x16 laid and reinforced block. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your contributions to my upcoming project!

 

[Paul S]

will you be pouring the panels yourself on site to tilt up?

 

[Balls Out Garage]

I haven't decided yet. I'm considering buying precast panels, but that might be cost prohibitive. My next choice would to be to cast the panels myself, on site.
The third option is to pour the walls in place; I'd prefer to not go this route due to the large area to form.

 

[CraigFL]

I would think that poured in place would be best for anything below grade.

 

[Balls Out Garage]

It would definitely be best from a strength perspective. But...Much of that strength would be overkill. Tilt up panels have been used for years in foundation work, with excellent results. In addition, forms to do 1400+ square feet of wall in a single pour is serious $$.

Thanks for the input! Any more thoughts?

 

[Paul S]

just thinking out loud here..

to minimize form work one could trench pour a grade beam,
pour a slab on grade with thickened edge bearing on the grade beam
and pour the tilt up panel on the slab.

almost no form work, comparatively speaking.

 

[Paul S]

the tilt up panel could sit either on the slab,
or on the grade beam

the second choice might be good,
especially where the wall panel is acting as a retaining wall
the slab edge would help lock the panel in place.

 

[danski0224]

If you have a timetable, you better check on the availability of those precast panels. Could be a long lead time.

 

[DaveL.]

Here are pictures of my garage foundation...8" poured walls.

 

[krooser]

How about these?http://oikos.com/esb/33/icf.html

 

[Balls Out Garage]

I assume that you poured a separate footing as well?
Is this foundation for the garage in you avatar?

 

[m_miller]

I am a draftsman for a precast concrete company in central Ohio and we do precast walls for basements as well as above grade building walls and we have no problems. Our main office building and some of our plants are all precast concrete wall panels. The precast basements are about the same price as poured in place or block and if you have your footer done when we show up we are done and out of there before lunch. If you have a precast company in your area they should have no problem showing you around so you can get an idea of what you are getting.

 

[DaveL.]

I assume that you poured a separate footing as well?
Is this foundation for the garage in you avatar?

yes and yes