Today, precast concrete products are the preferred option for many structure developers all over the world, irrespective of the intended design, function, or budget of a given building. But what are the key features of precast concrete that will improve the functionality, quality, and sustainability of your upcoming project?
What are Precast Concrete Products?
The widespread adoption and implementation of precast concrete products have revolutionized operations for construction project managers over the past few decades and have been used to help produce some of the most impressive contemporary structures on the planet.
Though first implemented by ancient Egyptian and Roman societies thousands of years ago, precast concrete products have seen a vast resurgence in recent years as awareness of its many proposed benefits has grown into public knowledge once again.
Put simply, precast concrete is a construction material produced by pouring concrete into a pre-shaped mold. Once set, the mold is then removed and reused for future work.
This differs dramatically from more conventional approaches to concrete formation; typical practice includes the concrete being formed into the desired shape at the project location and left to cure.
Did You Know?
While, as previously alluded to, precast concrete products have been used for thousands of years, it’s unclear how much these ancient societies knew about the method’s benefits, or whether they were even relevant to them at all.
Alexander Brodie, a city engineer from Liverpool, is credited for the re-implementation of precast concrete products and conducting research that uncovered several benefits that changed the way progressive structure production is completed today.
Precast Concrete Product’s 5 Biggest Benefits
So, here are the scientifically proven and research-based benefits of using precast concrete products today.
1. It’s significantly better for the environment:
Unsurprisingly, the unrelenting demand for concrete being used on new buildings every year has drastic implications on our planet’s long-term health. Traditional concrete production methods incur significant levels of waste and pollution, resulting in unwanted and unsustainable carbon emissions being let-off into the atmosphere and consequently damaging the planet’s ozone layer.
The recyclable nature of precast concrete products is helpful for project managers managing waste levels. Construction companies such as JP Concrete, who place significant emphasis on taking positive climate action, have regularly stated the environmental benefits of switching to precast concrete products.
2. It improves the indoor quality of air:
Research suggests that buildings manufactured with precast concrete products have significantly higher levels of air quality than those that use concrete in the traditional way. Many architects specify the use of precast concrete products to ensure the safety and health of those operating or living in the building.
3. It has great visual appeal
Some of the world’s most impressive structures, including the Sydney Opera House, Diego Portales University, and Walters Art Museum of Baltimore have used precast concrete products not only to improve the planet’s health, but to improve the architecture of the structure.
4. It is cost and time-effective
Perhaps most importantly for many Projection Construction Managers, the implementation of precast concrete products saves both time and money. Traditional concrete methods involved builders pouring concrete and waiting days or even weeks for it to set. With precast concrete products, there is no wait time.
