Spancrete Industries, Inc. recently completed installation of the Milwaukee Hilton’s new seven level precast parking structure and elevator tower, replacing the existing six level concrete and concrete block parking deck. The design and construction team included M.A. Mortensen Co., Kahler Slater Architects, Arnold & O’Sheridan Structural Engineers, Midwest Structure Engineering and Spancrete. "We signed on Spancrete early in the job, and they were a great asset in helping control quality, schedule and design. They did a super job on design and on the installation of the project itself," said Tom Wacker, Vice President of M.A. Mortensen Co. The parking structure was treated as a complete package for the customer by Spancrete, who oversaw the subcontracting of topping, sealant and hand rail work to assure consistent quality.

Spancrete utilized a horizontal lite wall system, allowing for more natural light and an open atmosphere with uninterrupted parking stalls within the structure. This system accelerated the erection schedule by enabling Area Erectors to set each level without bracing of multilevel vertical ramp wall panels. Deeper spandrels were used throughout the exterior with revealed cornices at each level in lieu of field-attached handrails. A twelve-foot wide tee with plant cast washes was used throughout the deck, while the stair towers and crossover walks utilize precast stair risers and landings. A high strength precast concrete frame was also provided by Spancrete to accommodate a large opening at ground level for future expansion needs.

A power main was discovered at the foundation of the building site during excavation, posing a unique obstacle to this project. This power line called for major design revisions while Spancrete was already under full production. Relocation of the power line would have cost in excess of $1 million, so the design team came up with a new plan incorporating a cast-in-place grade beam, removable precast solid slabs, and spandrels in order to provide access to service the power line in the future. This flexibility is one of the many advantages of Spancrete’s design flexibility, and despite this interruption, the schedule was not only maintained, it was exceeded.

Spancrete Industries, Inc. headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin, produces a full range of precast concrete products including: prestressed, precast hollowcore wall panels and planks; concrete beams, columns, tees, bridge girders, concrete block and pipe. In addition, Spancrete manufactures machinery used to produce the prestressed, precast hollowcore, and markets this machinery worldwide. Spancrete operates multi-functional production facilities in Waukesha, Valders and Green Bay, Wisconsin and Crystal Lake, Illinois.