Precast Concrete Construction

With growing demand of affordable housing units at ticket price less than 30 lacs in India, developers are bound to look for alternative construction solution which is cost effective and can mitigate the following existing challenges in a project. Timely project completion Project quality assurance Availability of sufficient manpower Availability of sufficient water Efficient project management Efficient cash flow management Precast construction technology could be the solution to all the problems; construction industry is facing today, in India. It’s a proven technology which is already being extensively used in USA, Europe, and New Zealand for last many decades for various types of commercial and residential structures. Some of the developers and contractors have already adopted this technology. Still, India has not seen the boom in usage of precast technology as it should have, even though the technology is the most favorable solution to all the problems in construction industry. Why is it so? Is it not a true solution to the construction industry problems as it seems? I believe there is no single reason to it. Adoption of precast technology in any project goes through the following processes. If it fails in any of the processes, the project tend to stick to conventional way of doing construction. Precast construction feasibility Structural stability Financial feasibility Project planning Why does a project fails in terms of suitability for precast construction? Can something be done to avert the same? Answers to these questions lie at the stage of conceptualization of the project. If an architect hasn’t designed the project keeping the precast suitability in mind, then later it becomes quite difficult to change the layouts to suit precast technology, because of time constraints, unwillingness for the change etc. Steps to adopt precast technology in your projects and to maximize its benefits: Step 1: Appoint a good precast consultant as soon as the project is conceived. Step 2: The consultant shall evaluate the precast project initial viability with respect to project size, duration, location and availability of precast elements. Step 3: Architect and structural engineer shall work in unison to come up with precast friendly building layouts. Step 4: Concept design study for structural stability and cost estimation Step 5: Project report Step 6: Management approval Once the project has gone through the due steps mentioned above successfully, I don’t see any reason why precast should not be adopted. In my opinion, precast is the only affordable solution for affordable mass housing projects in India, because of the ease of construction, quality assurance, shorter project duration, material saving, and less manpower requirement. Precast concrete is increasingly becoming more popular as more planners, architects, and designers discover the plethora of benefits it provides. Safer, faster, and more affordable than traditional concrete, precast concrete helps you optimize your project’s potential, while at the same time ensuring it is completed on time and delivers a fantastic architectural design. One of the most versatile products in construction today, precast concrete is used in every facet of building construction from the installation of plumbing and other elements to enhancing the façade of any structure. And in addition to being robust and efficient, it is eye-catching as well. Precast concrete is a construction product that is prepared, cast in molds, and cured off-site. Typically produced in a highly controlled environment, precast concrete employs a much greater level of uniformity of production and quality control than conventional methods. After the customized element is manufactured, it is then transported to the construction site and lifted into place. Among the array of advantages precast concrete delivers, a standout feature is its premium quality finish and design that can weather a range of extreme conditions. Plus, this very cost-effective construction solution offers unrivaled speed of construction and also beautifully enhances the aesthetic integrity of the structure. Precast panels Well-known for its functionality, durability, and longevity, with the need for minimal repairs and maintenance during its life span, concrete is hard to beat. The precast option builds on these advantages and creates a design that is not only more robust but more visually pleasing as well, offering a greater aesthetic interest to architects and clients alike. Precast wall panels can be highly customized to suit the requirements of a structure. From chamfers, reveals, and bullnoses to a plethora of form liners, precast concrete can be employed vertically and/or horizontally to add various visually pleasing flourishes to residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Precast walls In addition to the main structure, precast products are also preferred choice when it comes to creating smaller wall sections. Regardless of your building size, when considering the best options for your project, the advantages of precast walls are unmatched. Thanks to its high thermal mass that allows the material to absorb and retain temperatures at a more sustainable rate, precast walls are very energy-efficient. Plus, engineers, contractors, and architects utilize this option of cement every day due to the customizable design options. From solid and thin-shell walls to sandwich and lite options, this concrete helps design unique walls that boast various textures and are truly a class apart.