The h/t ratio refers to

• A. The ratio of panel width to its height
• B. The ratio of unsupported height of the panel to its thickness
• C. The slope of the roof line
• D. The ratio of live load to dead load

Answer: (B)

In tilt-up construction, the h/t ratio describes how slender a wall panel is during erection: the height of the panel that is unsupported, divided by the panel’s thickness. This matters because taller, thinner panels are more prone to bending, cracking, or tipping when they’re being lifted and standing upright, especially if wind loads or crane sway come into play. Keeping the h/t ratio within safe limits helps ensure the panel remains stable with the temporary bracing and lifting setup in place. A smaller ratio (thicker panels or shorter unsupported height) provides more stiffness and reduces the risk during erection, while a larger ratio signals the need for additional bracing or other stabilization measures. The other options don’t describe this aspect of panel stability during erection.