10 reasons to choose precast concrete
1. Precast concrete is
COMFORTABLE
The material has intrinsic properties of thermal inertia (allowing a more constant temperature both in cold and hot regions) and acoustic insulation.
2. Precast concrete is
SAFE
Everybody knows that concrete does not burn! Not only is the structural stability maintained for longer periods, but concrete construction prevents the spread of the fire from one building to another. It is sufficiently strong to resist impacts, blasts and natural catastrophes like earthquakes, tornadoes and floods.
3. Precast concrete is
VERSATILE
Factory production allows a wide choice of surface finishing, colour range and special shapes. Precast concrete has another advantage: its mouldability which entails designers to copy classical details like keystones and capitals or match the finish of materials like weathered stones. The precast concrete industry can source a wide range of aggregates locally and offer a tremendous variety of colours and visual effects.
4. Precast concrete is
HEALTHY
Indoor air quality is a concern for all of us. Precast concrete is stable throughout its life and does not need chemical treatment to protect it against rot and insect attack: this means that there are no emissions in the internal environment.
5. Precast concrete is
OPTIMISED
Advanced technologies used in the precasting plants create an improved quality product (i.e. reduced tolerances, thinner sections, engineered solutions) compared with cast-on-site concrete. Additionally this quality can be checked before a unit is inserted into the structure or site work!
6. Precast concrete is
DURABLE
Concrete lasts for years. Egyptian and Chinese people used an ancient form of concrete for buildings and structures that still exist today. Concrete is used where the structural stability has to be maintained for long periods. Effective design detailing helps to lengthen the life of a concrete building; precast manufacturers can offer guidance on designing for durability.
7. Precast concrete is
ECOLOGICAL
Made of natural raw materials (stones, gravels, sand, cement), locally available almost everywhere and in an enormous quantity, precast concrete minimises the whole life cycle impact on the environment when compared with other construction materials. Precast concrete units can entirely be re-used or recycled (almost 100% of a concrete building can be recycled, no matter how heavily reinforced).
8. Precast concrete is
FAST
The top floor of a skyscraper can be cast in the factory when the foundations have not yet started. But the project requirements of a modern construction prefer a just-in-time delivery! On-site construction using precast concrete is not only faster, but also safer as secure working platforms are quickly established.
9. Precast concrete is
AFFORDABLE
Precast concrete combines the excellent quality of factory production with a relatively inexpensive material. The costs to repair and maintain a concrete structures are highly limited. There is therefore no need to compromise on quality to reduce costs, simply choose the best way to use locally available resources.
10. Precast concrete is
SUSTAINABLE
Sustainable means a “3-win” situation for the three Pillars of our society: People, Profit and the Planet. If only one of this elements is “negative”, the solution can’t be considered sustainable!