100 adantages of precast concrete

7/31/2019 100 Adantages of Precast Concrete

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THE LITTLE BOOK OF

CONCRETE

A GUIDE TO THE ONE HUNDRED

ADVANTAGES OF PRECAST CONCRETE


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The National Precast Concrete Association produced this book

the British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd., which developed t

for the book. NPCA gratefully acknowledges British Precast for

with this publication.

b h


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INTRODUCTION

If concrete were to be invented today, it would be hailed as a

most commonly used building material in the world, and becau

it for granted. Too often this means that we overlook the nearly

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WEATHERPR

Precast concrete is resi

penetration, flood dama

blown debris. It can als

winters of freeze-thaw

materials, which can de

with such regular expo

and contraction.


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QUIET

Because of concretes

density, precast buildings

make for a peaceful

lifestyle. Privacy and

effective sound reduction

are ensured, making

precast an ideal choice

for commercial and

residential construction.


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YET ACOUSTICALLY VERSATILE.

Because precast can be formed in any shape, size and textur

designed to deflect or absorb sound. This makes it a good ac

for music but also an effective sound barrier along busy road


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THERMALLY EFFICIENT.

Costs associated with heating and

cooling can be greatly reduced through

concretes thermal mass benefits.

Reduced peak heating and cooling loads

can be achieved because concrete reacts

slowly to changes in outside

temperature.


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PLUG AND PLAY.

Precast concrete can carry preinstalled

utility services and fixtures, whether


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WI-FI COMP

With homes and offic

wired for information

good news that preca


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RESISTSBUOYANT FORCESUNDERGROUND.

With a specific gravity of 2.40,

precast concrete resists buoyant

forces better than any other material.

Once it is installed, it stays put!


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PROTECTS AGAINST FIRE.

Precast concrete is fireproof. It protects against the

spread of fire between rooms or properties, and itcannot catch fire, burn or drip molten particles.


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LOWERREFURBISHCOSTS AFT

Concrete typically n

remedial treatment f

to the high tempera

many cases, some m

a coat of paint may required.


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OFFERS A SAFE HAVEN

The structural strength and density of precast concrete makes it an

for safe rooms in houses. Precast concrete storm shelters can easil

for protection in tornado-prone and hurricane-prone areas.


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AND KEEPS BUILDINGS SECURE.

Whether for homes, businesses, schools, bank vaults and incre

construction, precast is secure against break-ins and breakouts

reinforced concrete is extremely difficult to penetrate and is im


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INEDTERANDROD

Organi


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DURABLE ...

Concrete buildings from hundreds of years ago are still in use toda

Some say concrete can last up to 2,000 years, and there are

certainly many structures around that are well on

their way to such a ripe old age.


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WHICH MEANS ITEASIER TO GO HIGH

Tall buildings up to 80 stories can

precast concrete panels. The structprecast can reduce floor depths by

a 60 story building, the height wou

20 feet, which means two additiona


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DAMPENS VIBRATION.

Structures like sports stadiums and concert halls a

susceptible to vibration from noise and crowd mov

in some cases can be disturbing to people usi

Precast concrete can be used to

vibrations due to its mass, w

the material of choi

stadiu

hal


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INTELLIGENT.

It may be helpful to know how a structure is performing over tim

can be embedded in precast concrete to log data on movement or

Engineers then capture the data on the chip by swiping a reading

across the surface of the element.


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CAN ACHEIVE HIGH STRENGTHS

In civil engineering applications, high-strength concrete is often des

precast components can be cast to meet such demands. If high ear

are needed, this can be achieved through high-performance concre

designs or accelerated curing methods at the plant.


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RESISTS CHEMICAL ATTACK


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RESISTS CHEMICAL ATTACK.

For sidewalks and driveways, precast concrete interlocking pav

choice, because they are resistant to fuel and oil spills, they ca

easily and they are widely available.

ABSORBS IMPACTS


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ABSORBS IMPACTS.

Precast concrete can resist massive impacts, so it makes an ideal m

security around public structures. Whether in day-to-day use as a m

or for protecting the perimeter of a building, precast structures can

to absorb the impact from vehicles, redirect them and/or slow them


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LESS STRESS REL

Keeping in shape is important, an

is no exception. Some mattime, which can be diffi

in design. Not precast.

structure maint

and propertiefrom

CAN BE THIN


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CAN BE THIN

The use of synthetic or steel fiber reinforcement,

carbon composite grids and other high-tech

reinforcing materials in the precast concrete mixcan produce extremely slender elements. This

means that precast can be used in structurally

ambitious projects.


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CAN BE MADE INTO ANY S


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CAN BE MADE INTO ANY S

Form and mold manufacturers can use their skills to c

forward or unusual shapes. Manufacturers can offer

on how to achieve difficult architectural sh

barriers, bridge abutments and ot


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CUSTOMIZATION IS

Molds can be designed to be custo

means that parts of a mold can be

to produce slightly different sized

(master mold concept). This is an e

BLENDS WITH


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BLENDS WITHEXISTINGSTRUCTURES.

In areas of historic or

architectural importance,

precast concrete

structures can be

designed to match or

complement their older

counterparts. Careful mix

design in the precast

plant and use of mock-

CAN REPLICATE PATT


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CAN REPLICATE PATTSHAPES OR OTHER M

The versatility of precast means th

imitator, whether this entails copy

like keystones and capitals or ma

materials like natural stone o

restoration or pre


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CAN BESTRAIGHT ORCURVED

For external walls or

cladding panels, the

shape of a precast

component is called its

profile In these


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ODET

The lev

wall orreferre

articula

used to

AVAILABLE IN A WIDE


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AVAILABLE IN A WIDERANGE OF COLORS

There are many different aggregates and

pigments that can be incorporated into

precast concrete products, depending on

what is required. This gives designers

considerable scope to produce subtle or

contrasting colors.


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CAN BE CUT TO SUIT.


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Considerable flexibility can be built into precast concrete. Not only

and door shapes be created, but there is scope to design elements

are more lightly reinforced in some areas. These can then be cut thlater date should the client wish to add a door between two rooms

for example. Thin-walled knockouts are also common in utility

products that are easily adaptable to on-site

conditions and changes.


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PERFECPRECIS


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SMOOTH.

In the same way that

natural stone is prepared,

precast concrete can be


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EASPAINSTA

For som

precast

CAN BE DESIGNED TO CHANGE COLO


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The inclusion of thermochromatic dyes in precast concrete will ca

it to change color when it reaches particular temperatures. This i

fun idea but has serious applications too. For example, the concrecan indicate when it is too cold or too hot to touch.

CAN BE SELF-C


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The inclusion of titanium d

panels not only produces

it also helps keep the surfingredient captures unwan

this case, dirt and dust), w

washed away by the rain.


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AND BUILTO PRECISESPECIFICAT

Precast manufacture

with engineers, specand owners to guara

reliable workmanshi

the quality of servic

COVERED BYINTERNATIONAL


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INTERNATIONALSTANDARDS.

The precast concrete industry keeps a

keen eye on national and international

standards. This ensures that customers

receive the best quality products that

are compliant to all relevant standards.


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GREAT RESULTS EVERY TIME

Because of the quality controlled manufacturing environment,repetition of individual products can be achieved with confidence

whether the job requires 10, 100 or 1,000 pieces.


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WLON

LASFORMO

Precast

PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN HYBRIDCONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.


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CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

The combination of precast with steel or cast-in-place concrete in h

construction can have cost and program benefits. Precast concrete

brings accuracy, high-quality finishes and speed of erection to

any hybrid concrete construction project.


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REDUCES JOBSITE IMPACT.


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Precast installation is so quick that

other trades can begin work sooner

often saving weeks on the

construction schedule. Precast also

requires less storage space on site,

no long setups for scaffolding, and

smaller crews to install. Precast

needs no additional curing on site

and does not require protection


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USES PLENTIFUL,LOCAL, NATURALMATERIALS


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MATERIALS

The materials that comprise precast

concrete products come from naturaland recycled sources, making it a very

sustainable construction material,

perfect for green building under LEED

guidelines. Aggregates and water are

all widely available and in plentiful

supply.


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USESBYPRODUCTSFROM OTHER


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FROM OTHERINDUSTRIES.

Precast products can

safely incorporate

materials such as blast

furnace slag (from the

iron and steel industries)and fuel ash (from coal-

fired power stations) that

might otherwise go to


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NOTONOIL-PRO

A good

relies o

clean b

precas


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AVOIDS EXPENSIVE


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AVOIDS EXPENSIVEENVIRONMENTALDISPOSAL COSTS.

Making better use of natural resourcesmakes good business sense and holds down

costs. Using ready-made precast products

limits waste disposal costs on the job site.


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OR RECYCLED.

As with many concrete products, precast is easy to crush and


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aggregate. Demand for previously enjoyed materials like th

every year. Even the reinforcing steel can be recycled.


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SUSTAINABLE

Precast is perfect for todays focus

on preserving resources and

protecting the environment through

sustainable building practices.


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AND GREEN

Precast concrete building p

with at least four categorie

certification and can also h

qualify for additional Inno

MINIMUM WASTE EXPORTED OFF SIT

Even small amounts of scrap or waste in the process can be recycle


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slurry and process water can be recycled, and scrap products can

and reused in other sectors of the construction industry.


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PROTECTS HIGHWAY WORKERS

Precast concrete highway barriers improve safety in construction


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Precast concrete highway barriers improve safety in construction

zones on roads and highways and can be readily moved based on

traffic volume, reducing delays and speeding construction project


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REDUCES URBAN ENERGY USE.


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Precast concrete finishes help to reflect light, so at

night the streets are brighter and safer. On a hot day,

these same finishes reflect sunlight, keeping buildings

cooler and limiting the urban heat island effect.


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HELPS CREATE HEALTHYINDOOR ENVIRONMENTS.

The simple lines and smart edges of precast

concrete are easy to clean, and its hard,


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EASY TO SELL, LEASE

The aesthetic appeal and longevity of

precast structure can attract occupan


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precast structure can attract occupan

investors and produce a reliable retu

The architecture and performance qu

mean that units can be sold or leased

EASY TO EXTEND.

The fact that precast components can be dismantled

means that it is easy to add extensions or new


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means that it is easy to add extensions or new

wings to precast structures. Simply remove

end panels and continue building the end

panels can be reinstalled upon completion.

LOWINSUCOS


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With a

properresista

modula

benefit

buildincases a

insuran

those b

LOWERMAINTENANCECOSTS.


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In exposed locations, some

structures will need regularpainting to protect against

corrosion and enhance their

aesthetic appearance. Not

precast. This advantage isparticularly relevant for

roads, bridges and

structures that cannot be


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IMPRESSIVE VALUE FORA LONG SERVICE LIFE.

Theres no doubt that the many


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advantages of precast comprise a

significant package. Its super strong,long-lasting and resists buoyancy

underground. And it offers beauty

and value through attractive finishes,

modularity and quick all-weather

installation above ground.


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EVERES

Precas

and du

withsta

mainte


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PEACE OF MIND.

The technology behind precast production, design and constructio

back hundreds of years, so customers can be assured of peace o


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y , p

specifying precast products. Precast is a proven technology with

and a high-tech future.


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The association of the manufacturedconcrete products industry10333 N. Meridian St., Suite 272Indianapolis, IN 46290317.571.9500 | 800.366.7731 | www.precast.org

100 adantages of precast concrete

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