Precast concrete is considered one of the perfect match for the needs of today’s construction industry

 Precast concrete is an age-old and age-tested methodology of construction all over the world. After a quiet start few decades ago, slowly, people are again exploring this option. In the last decades the precast concrete industry came up with another challenge for construction designers. They have been asked to investigate & test the behavior of connection systems between precast elements related to the stability of the structure under seismic, high wind or other extreme loading conditions. A range of approved, tested & certified connection systems were successfully invented to meet this crucial requirement and to guarantee the safe and damage free survival of the buildings under severe pressure.

Precast concrete offers a variety of advantages and is the perfect match for the needs of today’s construction industry, but key for the economic, safe and simple handling and mounting of precast elements is the combination with reliable and long lasting fixing solutions.

Selecting concrete precast
Pointing out the selection criteria, Satya Sahu, Business Development Manager, PEC Group says, “Heavy precast concrete elements need expert handling at precast plant, during transportation to construction site and at the time of erection. Hence a range of lifting systems is available for effective handling of precast elements based on their size, shape and weight. This requires professional load calculation for each element. So, selecting the right product is fundamental for ensuring the safety of the workers and the elements.”

Kapilesh Bhate, Assistant Manager, Precast India Infrastructures Pvt Ltd says, “Precast technology is extremely technically challenging, which needs lot of pre-engineering and fast decision making from all professionals involved, like client, architect, service consultants and of course structural design teams, but which, if handled by a professional and technically sound precaster, is a phase not taking more than 2-3 months. The client, having completed all his major decisions regarding building systems, can be sure of the project budget right in the 3rd or 4th month, which is a luxury for any top management, as opposed to approving and recapping limits throughout the project’s timeline.“

Advantages
Precast concrete saves time as the elements are ready to install and can be put to loads. The controlled conditions of casting ensure best quality products with high durability. Repeated use of formwork at precast plant lowers its cost compared to site-cast production. The controlled production system ensures excellent aesthetic appearance. Good planning guarantees minimum waste of ingredients and optimum use of set up hence, its eco friendly. Precast concrete comes with ready to install elements which lead to better, faster and stronger structures.

Sandwich panels
Over the last decades the worldwide increasing energy demand and the challenge of the changing climate requires to improve energy efficiency in all sectors.  As over 40 per cent buildings have a large share of the entire energy consumption, the building industry plays a major role in reducing the energy demand.

Sahu explains, “Reduction of energy demand led to development of energy efficient building structures with introduction of precast concrete sandwich panels. These are panels including an insulation layer in-between the facing layer and the load bearing layer to ensure sound and thermal insulation. To guarantee the safe connection of the different panel layers sandwich panel anchors provide stability as well as flexibility. They transfer dead load of the precast panel and forces due to change of climatic conditions from the outer concrete panel to the load-bearing layer without any problems.”

Façade Panels
Concrete has stood the test of time and precast concrete can provide a service life of more than 100 years. This fact has helped to use precast architectural facade panels for the exterior of building to provide a long lasting aesthetical appearance and give buildings an individual face.

Sahu informs, “Specially designed façade panel anchors are in use for fixing the façade facing panels onto the main structure in a safe, quick and simple way. Facing panel anchors provide a three dimensional adjustability for perfect alignment and they offer sustainability through stainless steel.”

Flexible fixing solutions
Sahu shares, “Few years back precast concrete industry came up with a challenge for construction designers. They have been asked to investigate and test the behavior of connection systems between precast elements related to the stability of the structure under seismic, high wind or other extreme loading conditions. A range of approved, tested and certified connection systems were successfully invented to meet this crucial requirement and to guarantee the safe and damage free survival of the buildings under severe pressure.”

Precast concrete offers a variety of advantages and is considered one of the perfect match for the needs of today’s construction industry, but key for the economic, safe and simple handling and mounting of precast elements is the combination with reliable and long lasting fixing solutions.

Precast technology is extremely technically challenging, which needs lot of pre-engineering and fast decision making from all professionals involved.

Kapilesh Bhate, Assistant Manager, Precast India Infrastructures Pvt Ltd

Heavy precast concrete elements need expert handling at precast plant, during transportation to construction site and at the time of erection.

Satya Sahu, Business Development Manager, PEC Group