Prefabricated concrete is a type of concrete that can be used for a variety of applications. Precast concrete is a form of construction in which concrete is cast in a reusable mold and then cured in a controlled environment (a precast plant). After that, the casted structural member is transported to the job site and erected. Precast concrete may construct structural members such as a concrete frame, a concrete wall, and concrete floors, among other things.
Precast concrete can provide a variety of architectural, building, and design advantages during the design-build process. Consider precast concrete as a building material of choice when constructing commercial buildings, residential structures, parking garages, bridges, or other construction firms. Precast concrete has become common building material for parking structures due to its speed and ease of construction. Precast concrete allows for safe and cost-effective construction under all weather conditions, as well as long transparent stretches and open spaces in parking structures. Seating units and concrete steps for stadiums and arenas can be mass-manufactured according to requirements, allowing for quick installation and long-term operation. Precast concrete can also frame and install pedestrian bridges, concession stands, and dressing room areas.
Because of the flat surfaces it provides and the ability of precast, pre-stressed concrete to extend long distances, precast concrete is suitable for production and storage structures. Piles and decks for railroad and highway bridges, railway crossties, burial vaults, educational facilities, commercial buildings such as shopping malls, and public buildings such as hospitals, libraries, and airport terminals are examples of precast concrete applications.
Advantages of Precast Concrete
Precast concrete has many advantages. They’ll be addressed further below.
1. Durability – Structures made of precast concrete have a longer service life and need less maintenance. Precast concrete with a high density is more resistant to acid attack, corrosion, and impact decreases surface voids, and resists dust accumulation.
2. Quality Assurance – Precast Concrete can be controlled for critical factors that control construction efficiency, such as curing, temperature, mix design, formwork, and so on. As a result, higher-quality construction can be carried out.
3. Precast Concrete Construction Saves Time: Since precast concrete construction saves time, there is less chance of project delays. Precast concrete casting may be done concurrently with other site activities such as earthwork, surveying, and saving time.
4. Cost-effective: The streamlined construction process saves time, increases efficiency, and improves quality and safety, lowering costs.
5. Pre-stressed Concrete: Using pre-stressed precast, high-strength, and load-bearing structural materials can be accomplished, resulting in greater transparent span, smaller cross-sections of structural members, etc.
6. Safe Construction Platform: Precast Concrete building does not require the storage of any raw materials on site. It eliminates the need for conventional formwork and props and waste, labor, and other resources and provides a healthy working environment.
7. Aesthetics: Since the structures are prefabricated in a managed factory setting, various color and texture combinations are possible. A wide variety of shapes and sizes are available, all with smooth finishes, increasing the products’ aesthetic value.
Disadvantages of Precast Concrete
And there are some disadvantages to precast concrete. They’ll be addressed further below.
1. Handling Difficulties: Handling precast concrete necessitates extreme caution and caution. Precast members are typically heavy and wide, making them difficult to manage without causing damage. Precast members are usually handled with portable or tower cranes.
2. Sensitive Connection Works: One of the most important aspects of maintaining good systemic actions is precast representatives’ assembly. Connections between multiple structural members, whether simple, semi-rigid or rigid, must be supervised and completed correctly to ensure the link’s expected conduct. Faulty connections can also lead to water leakage and a loss of sound insulation.
3. Large Initial Investment: Heavy and sophisticated machines are needed to install a Precast Concrete plant, which necessitates a significant initial investment. To ensure a fair profit, a large number of precast construction projects must be available.
4. Modification Restriction: It is difficult to change the configuration of a precast structure. For example, dismantling a structural wall for alteration would affect the structure’s overall stability.
5. Transportation Concerns: The construction site could be far away from the Precast Concrete factory. In that case, trucks would be used to transport the precast participants to the job site. In some instances, the lower cost of Precast Concrete is offset by the higher cost of transportation.