Grade
Concrete is simply cement, grit, and water. Pour it where you want it after you’ve mixed it. Working with heavy, unwieldy concrete may appear simple, but to meet the increasingly complex needs of modern construction, expert planning and execution are required. Regardless of complexity, projects must be completed on time and within budget. Consider these advantages of using precast concrete products when planning your next large project.
Longevity
Accelerating cure time in precast concrete processes allows the concrete to gain strength quickly. Furthermore, rebar placement and coverage are consistent, ensuring that concrete strength is not compromised. Precast concrete’s density reduces its susceptibility to vibration, lowering the risk of structural damage.
Viability
Natural materials such as stone and sand were used in precast concrete, as well as recycled steel and byproducts such as ground-blast furnace slag from the steel industry and fly ash from power plants. The majority of materials are sourced locally, and precast concrete is manufactured locally, reducing the carbon footprint associated with raw material transportation
Adaptability
Precast concrete moulds or forms can be designed to produce a variety of sizes, shapes, and textures. Precast concrete can also be designed to absorb or deflect sound. Slabs can also be used to carry air or water for cooling and heating, as well as act as protective barriers for those systems, by incorporating hollow cores or pipes into precast concrete.
Security
Precast concrete cannot burn, catch fire, or melt. It requires little, if any, repair even after being damaged. The density of the concrete makes it more resistant to water shifts. Furthermore, it is impact resistant and difficult to penetrate, providing protection from minor issues such as rodents to more dangerous situations such as chemical spills and explosions.
Capability
There are numerous advantages to using precast concrete products, ranging from energy to materials and everything in between. Portland, Oregon, and other major metropolitan areas, in particular, necessitate projects that are as efficient and cost-effective as possible.
- Material savings - are possible because precast manufacturers can buy for multiple projects and receive quantity discounts.
- Savings on Molds and Forms - Concrete forms can be reused many times, increasing their value and lowering replacement costs.
- Savings in Production - The precast concrete process eliminates the costs associated with transporting and storing the equipment and scaffolding used for on-site casting.
- Savings on the project - Designs that use lightweight concrete mixes, foam-core insulation, and synthetic reinforcement can produce high-strength concrete in thinner, lower-cost panels. Precast concrete reduces the need for additional material and floor depth because it has a high span-to-depth ratio and better load bearing properties. Precast concrete can save up to four inches of floor depth when compared to traditional concrete, resulting in significant savings on large construction projects.
- Reduced Power Consumption - The density of precast concrete reduces the need for heating and cooling in completed projects.