A review on few concrete products and how they are applied smartly

 Concrete plays one of the vital roles in the construction segment. Post various initiatives by the government, infrastructure segment are given the utmost priority at the moment. Concrete is one of the most essential and primary materials used in the construction for the development of infrastructure.

Here, we take a look at few concrete products and how the products can be applied smartly.

1. Acotec
Acotec line is meant for manufacturing of light, non-load bearing, room-high precast partition wall panels. “Elematic, one of the world-leading manufacturers of precast concrete plants and production lines, launches new technology level choices to its Acotec wall production lines. The new technology levels are called SEMI, PRO and EDGE, and they differ by the degree of automation and capacity as well as the required investment size. All lines are quick and simple to install, run and maintain and require only very limited land area,” informs Chander Dutta, Managing Director, Elematic India Pvt Ltd.

Acotec production lines for light, non-load bearing, room-high precast partition wall panels cover the entire production process from concrete batching all the way to storage yard management and beyond.  They are all automated and reliable as they consist of proven, standard components.

The SEMI line, with a production capacity of 80 sq.m. per hour, is the simplest of them all. It features a smart combined restacker handler and automation only for the key processes. The PRO line offers a higher capacity of 100 sq.m. per hour with automated functions for all main processes – sawing, trimming, stacking, restacking, cleaning and oiling, plate handling and pallet circulation. The fully-automatic Acotec EDGE offers a top-rate capacity of 120 sq.m. per hour and needs only two operators to run.

 “All the lines – SEMI, PRO and EDGE – feature a new advanced production control system. The system is a simple, modern user interface, which shows detailed data on every function in the whole process. Various reports – on production rate, running hours and more are generated automatically.  Modular structure of the lines and their integrated electricity with ETHERCAT bus system guarantee short installation and start up time of all lines, and the line can also be installed in existing production facilities.  The production process is environment friendly as it is silent and non-vibrating, and the raw material can be recycled so that no waste is created. Low energy consumption of the line keeps the production costs on a low level as well,” explains Dutta.

Application: The acotec wall panels are fast, easy and safe to install. Building work proceeds up to 6 times faster when compared with traditional brickwork and even two times faster than blockwork. The panels have exact dimensions and completely even surface so no plastering is needed. In addition, its thin structure leaves more floor space for other purposes in a building. Despite the thinness, acotec walls are strong and successfully used in seismic areas, too. It suits a wide variety of purposes such as bath rooms, kitchens and showers, due to the moisture resistance of the material. Acotec walls also offer sound insulation and so apartment buildings, schools and hotels benefit from this type of partition walls.

2. Hollow core slabs
Hollow core slabs is a floor or roof slab which are prestressed units produced on long-line casting beds using slip form or extrusion methods, cores are formed throughout the unit reducing its self weight. Its thickness is 150 – 400 mm, spans up to 16 metres length for design loads. Its standard width is 1,200 mm and 2,400 mm.

Application: Hollow core slabs dries working surface instantly and eliminates gangs of manpower and shuttering works at site. A typical 10 sq.m. area of building can be completed in a minute. Services like ducting and piping can easily be suspended on these slabs. Superior finish totally eliminates plastering at bottom of the slab.

“Hollow core slabs are ideal for all types of construction. The speed is incredible and high efficiency in completion of floor slabs and 30 per cent lighter than conventional slabs covering long spans. The prestressed 300 mm thick slab can span up to 16 metres without intermediate beams and columns,” says Sridhar C N, Head – Technical and Marketing, PRECA Solutions India Pvt Ltd.

3. Tee slabs – single and doubleTee slabs are floor slab which are prestressed units produced on long- line prestressing moulds. The span range is beyond the slab-type members such as hollow core. Standard width is 1,200 mm and 2,400 mm, thickness as per design loads and tees span up greater than 15 metres.
Application: Tee slabs offer long flooring slab solution. Superior finish eliminates plastering at bottom of the slab. Higher loads, efficient structural shape, durability and greater speed of placement are few advantages of tee slabs.

“Tee slabs are ideal for parking buildings, multiplexes and have incredible speeds and high efficiency in completion of floors and roofs,” adds Sridhar.

4. Prestressed long beams: beam and infill
The system, known as Ultrafloor and similar, comprises prestressed, precast concrete inverted ‘T’ and ‘L’ shape profile. Used for supporting the prestressed floor slabs like hollow core and tee slabs. Its specification includes inverted T and L shape, dimensions as per design loads and long spans above 8 metres.

Application: Reduction in size of beam and reinforcement because of higher grades of concrete. Factory controlled quality casting ensures smooth finish eliminating plastering and shuttering works at site.
“Prestressed long beams are capable of spanning greater distance at required depths. Beams can be cast either precast or prestresed as per the design requirement. It covers wide spectrum with multitude of applications, e.g., spine, edge, balcony, etc and is ideal for commercial, residential, shopping malls bridges, pedestrian bridges,” concludes Sridhar.

Tee slabs are ideal for parking buildings, multiplexes and have incredible speeds and high efficiency in completion of floors and roofs
– Sridhar C N, Head – Technical and Marketing, PRECA Solutions India Pvt Ltd.

The new technology levels are called SEMI, PRO and EDGE, and they differ by the degree of automation and capacity as well as the required investment size.
– Chander Dutta, Managing Director, Elematic India