Precast Concrete Technology

Precast Concrete Technology is a construction technology where building members such as walls, slabs, stairs, aqueducts, culverts, and tunnels. In many cases, you see in-situ concrete work where fresh concrete is filled in the molds at the site and left for settling. This takes time and in the case, for faster work progress the structure needs to be cast at another place and then brought to the site and fitted with the other members.

Types and Systems:

The precast concrete is also called prefabricated construction technique. For such construction technology, the building members are standardized in shape and size with pre-determined stresses values.

The prefabricated concrete members are of many types where they are classified in large panel systems, frame systems, slab-column systems with walls. These systems are nowadays used in multistory buildings where the dimensions of the building are pre-determined and then fitted on site. The precast concrete work is used most in the bridge and metro rail work. In Mumbai, you can see the prefabricated concrete slabs being used in the metro work where slabs and decks are prefabricated.

Advantages:

1. Fewer tools, machinery, and equipment are required

2. Compared to in-situ concrete work, precast concrete work is faster and has less effect on the environment.

3. In prefabricated concrete work, it increases efficiency and has high-quality controls and better finishing.

4. 100% recyclable work.

Disadvantages:

1. Skilled workers are needed.

2. Transportation of prefabricated concrete slabs and elements.

3. The precast plant need to be near the site to lower the cost.

4. Machines such as cranes ad lifters need to place the elements.