Application of Precast Structures (A Review): Advantages and Challenges in the Application of Precast Structures

Abstract

Most concrete for buildings are cast-in-place, that is, the wet mix is deposited and formed at the place where the finished concrete is desired. This is now generally referred to as site cast concrete, since the location is usually at a building site. This is compared to precast concrete, which refers to the process of casting elements and then moving them to the place they are to be used. Concrete for site cast construction is typically brought to the site by the familiar concrete–transporting mixer trucks with the large rotating barrels. The mix is prepared at a central batching plant, where controls of the materials may be carefully monitored. However, the transporting to the site, proper mixing in the truck, discharging from the truck and depositing in the forms, and handling for placement, finishing, and curing are all subject to the level of responsibility and craft exercised by the people involved. Site conditions in terms of accessibility and weather can be highly critical of the work, requiring extreme measure in some situations to control all the stages in the production process.