Have you noticed that these days some buildings go up quickly? They are built so fast that it is evident that not all components are built on-site. One such component is precast concrete.
Precast concrete is a component used in modular construction which involves making them offsite and transporting them to the construction site after curing it. In contrast, traditional construction involves pouring concrete on-site using conventional methods. You can use precast concrete in a wide range of structures, including small elements like beams and slabs to large ones like walls and even bridge sections. The uses of precast concrete depend upon what type they are
Since pre-cast concrete is ready-made, sometimes even before the design is set for a structure, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution to construction. Different types of precast concrete are suitable for projects of different types. Here are some common types of precast concrete
These are useful if you need your building frames to be set up quickly. The beams support the floor while the columns support the beams.
They are used in constructing floors and roofs. You can get different types of precast slabs according to your specific needs. If you need a high bearing capacity, you will need to use solid slabs. Hollow-core slabs on the other hand are lightweight and favored for their insulation properties.
You can get both load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls in precast walls. While load-bearing walls are used to support the structure, non-load-bearing walls are used to create partitions.
All you have to do is bring them and fix them onsite.
They can be used for driveways and walkways in parks if not for regular pavements.
There are more than a few different reasons why Precast Concrete is popular in the construction industry..
Precast concrete is made at a factory in a controlled environment. Since you don’t have to worry about weather conditions affecting the concrete while it cures, it is much easier to control the quality of the precast.
This is one of the most popular advantages of precast concrete. It’s easy to prepare your site simultaneously while the precast concrete materials are being manufactured in the factory. So by the time your elements are ready, so is your site ready for them to be assembled.
Since you can control the quality of your precast concrete, you can rest assured that they are highly durable. Precast concrete is resistant to weather conditions, fire, and even pests. As a result, precast concrete has a longer lifespan and requires less maintenance.
Many types of precast concrete are used for different purposes. This means that they can be customized in terms of design because precast elements can be shaped and finished to meet the specific needs of your project.
The initial cost of precast concrete is indeed higher than traditional methods. But it is also true that they are more cost-effective in the long run. This is because the reduced construction time lowers labor costs and the durability of the materials reduces the money you will have spent on maintenance and repairs.
Since precast concrete is made in a controlled environment, there is much less excess material, most of which can even be recycled. Also, buildings made from precast concrete can be more energy efficient.
While precast concrete has many advantages, it is also important to note its disadvantages.
One of the biggest disadvantages of precast concrete is the transportation and labor costs required to move the precast concrete to the site from the factory. It can be expensive and challenging to move, especially if the site is remote.
Although precast concrete offers a lot of versatility, it comes with its limitations in design. The size and shape of the precast concrete is limited by the size that can be transported and handled. Also, sometimes it can be difficult to get the molds required for custom designs.
The initial cost of precast concrete is quite higher compared to traditional construction methods because you need to bear the cost of the molds, transportation, and skilled labor for installation. If you are considering only smaller projects, these costs outweigh
If the precast concrete is big, you might require heavy lifting equipment like cranes. This can pose a problem if your site is densely populated or has limited access.
If a need arises to modify the precast concrete, it can be difficult and costly to do so because you will have to send it to the factory or even start from scratch if it cannot be modified.
There is no doubt that precast concrete benefits outweigh its disadvantages. If you use good quality materials including the best TMT steel bars in manufacturing precast concrete you can make the best out of all the advantages they have to offer.
