A Precast concrete block is made by pouring concrete into a special mold and letting it harden in a controlled space. After that, it’s taken to the construction site and put together where needed. Using Precast concrete makes the structures stronger, and more durable, and saves time and money during construction. Precast concrete is a modern invention from the20th century that enhances the strength of concrete that allows it to carry heavier loads improving its bearing capacity as time goes by.
These Precast concrete structural members aremade in three ways:
Plain concrete
Plain concrete is concrete without any steel reinforcing bars or wire, or it may contain a very small amount (less than two-tenths of one percent) of reinforcing material. In plain concrete, the strength is derived solely from the concrete mixture itself, without the additional reinforcement provided by steel bars or wire.
Reinforced concrete
Precast reinforced concrete is a special type of concrete used in the Precast technology which includes tough, deformed steel bars placed inside the concrete mold before casting. This combination makes the concrete elements stronger and capable of withstanding heavy loads.
Pre-stressed concrete
Pre-stressed concrete is a type of concrete that contains high-tensile tendons (often made of steel) that are pre-tensioned or post-tensioned before the concrete is subjected to loads. These tendons help to counteract the effects of external heavy loading by placing the concrete under compression. As a result, pre-stressed concrete is able to withstand greater loads and prevent cracks or deformation more effectively than traditional reinforced concrete.
Here are 10 benefits of using Precast concrete:
Rapid speed of erection
Precast concrete is made in a factory, so it’s quick to set up. The parts are cast in advance, then transported to the site and easily put together. That’s why building with precast technology is much faster.
High-quality control
The precast concrete structural members are made in the factory, where they receive careful curing and close monitoring by the plant employees. This dedicated production and attention to detail ensure that the concrete quality is excellent.
Durability
Precast concrete parts last a really long time and become stronger over the years. In Europe, there are viaducts that are hundreds of years old, and not only are they still standing, but they have actually gotten stronger with time.
High strength from Pre-stressing
Because of the strong tendons used in pre-stressed precast concrete, it becomes very strong under compression. This makes the structural members with pre-stressed tendons capable of carrying heavy loads and having high strength. It allows for larger open spaces and smaller cross-sections in the structural members.
Cost-effective
Factories produce precast and pre-stressed precast structural members using a special and simple construction process. This saves time, increases productivity, and ensures better quality and safety, which leads to lower costs. Additionally, since machines and technology are used in the factory, fewer workers are needed, reducing labor costs too.
Useful for large constructions
Huge colossal constructions lack space and set up for storing and creating concrete for everyday construction, precast construction can be very useful in developing the structural members because they are built at a site and brought to the construction location later and assembled. This gives great leverage for the lack of space.
Safe construction platform
With precast construction, there’s no need for the stocking of construction materials. In fact, there is no need to stock any material. It reduces the requirement of the traditional framework of stock, wastage, workers, etc.
Precast is customizable
Precast structural members can be thin, thick, heavy, or light. No matter what kind of structure you are looking to build, precast concrete can be customized to suit your preferences. You can even build concrete that is thin and slender as a reed. Don’t fret about the weight! Precast concrete can be made so light that it floats yet at the same time it’s very strong.
Aesthetics
In simple terms, precast construction means building parts of a structure in a factory before assembling them on-site. This allows for different colors, textures, shapes, and sizes to be easily chosen by designers, making the building look more attractive and pleasing. The parts are made with a smooth finish, which adds to the overall beauty of the building’s elements.
Locally sourced and environmentally safe
In simple terms, precast concrete is a very eco-friendly material. It’s made using some recycled materials, like slag from iron and steel industries and ash from coal industries. Because of this, it has a smaller impact on the environment, making it a sustainable choice for construction.
Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) that you can use as a reference.
Precast concrete is a ready-to-use block of construction material that is made in a controlled environment and then transported to the construction site for assembly and erection.
Precast construction significantly lowers labor costs since it’s built in a controlled factory setting with advanced technologies and machinery. Additionally, the specialized construction process results in less wastage.
Using precast concrete elements saves a lot of time because they are made offsite and can be transported and installed right away. This cuts down on the overall construction schedule and allows interior work to begin much faster compared to traditional construction methods.
Precast concrete is very strong and can handle heavy loads. It provides a safe construction platform with high-quality assurance. Using precast concrete saves construction time and reduces the risk of project delays. Moreover, it is cost-effective, durable, and highly sustainable as a construction material.
Prefabricated concrete is when the parts of a structure are put together in a factory and then moved to the construction site as complete units. On the other hand, precast concrete involves making the parts in a factory, letting them cure for a few days, and then transporting them to the site. The assembly of precast concrete happens at the construction site, unlike prefabricated concrete where the parts are already assembled before being transported.
