In this episode of Precast Chalk Talk, visit a jobsite with President Hagen Harker where you'll find beams, columns, hollowcore, solid slabs, and wall panels! Watch a couple team members install a precast beam on the new mixed use building.
Maximize Your Build: Five Ways Precast Delivers Onsite
At Mid-States Concrete Industries, we’ve spent more than 75 years defining what precast concrete can do. Whether you’re building multi-family housing, a commercial space, or underground parking, precast delivers smarter, faster, and more reliable solutions. From design flexibility to lasting durability, it’s a material made for performance.
Here are five reasons precast belongs in your plans:
Speed of Construction:
Time is money, and precast saves both. Precast components are manufactured off-site and delivered when you’re ready. No weather delays, fewer crews, and faster erection. While other construction methods can take months, precast can have your building enclosed in days. With fast installation of hollowcore slabs and wall panels, your schedule stays ahead.Versatility and Design Flexibility:
From structural function to architectural flair, precast does it all. Precast works with nearly any building system and offers endless design options. From sleek exteriors to open interiors, you get flexibility without sacrificing performance. You can get both form and function, making precast concrete an ideal building choice.Built-In Durability:
Tough, resilient, and made to last. Precast holds strong against weather, fire, termites, and even earthquakes. With innovations like CarbonCast®, you get lighter, stronger, and more sustainable panels that stand the test of time. Less wear and tear means fewer headaches and fewer maintenance costs for years to come.All-Weather, All-Season Advantage:
Winter build? No problem. Since precast is manufactured indoors, weather won’t slow you down. Your timeline stays on track, no matter the season. That’s reliability you can count on.Long-Term Value and Smarter Collaboration:
It’s not just about building fast, it’s about building right. Precast brings lasting value through energy savings, reduced maintenance, and a streamlined construction process. With our Face-to-Face Solution™, you get clear communication, better coordination, and fewer surprises, so your project runs smoother from day one, to long after completion.Bonus Benefit: A Trusted Partner on Your Team
At Mid-States Concrete, you’re never just another project. From the very beginning, we offer design support, planning expertise, and decades of experience to keep your job running smoothly. It’s how we’ve done it through three generations of family-leadership, and how we’ll do it for you.
Ready to see what precast can do for your next project? Explore real-world examples, expert insights, and the full range of solutions with Mid-States Concrete Industries. Let’s build something great together. We’re making building easy!
Connect with our sales representatives at sales@msprecast.com.
Free Online Continuing Education
As members of AltusGroup, Mid-States Concrete Industries is proud to share these continuing education opportunities, presented by AltusGroup. Earn continuing education credits where you want, when you want with these self-paced, online courses.
Insulated Precast Enclosures: Strategies for Controlling Performance, Quality, and Cost
This course explains and illustrates how high-performance, fully composite insulated precast sandwich wall panels can be designed and specified to manage aesthetics, quality, performance, and cost. It explores the pros, cons, and attributes of wythe connectors such as carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) grid trusses, options for achieving continuous insulation, manufacturing and testing procedures, and strategies for managing costs. It concludes by providing illustrative sample installations to demonstrate the broad range of building types and appearances that can be created with insulated precast enclosures.
Learn more >>
Achieve Net Zero Building Goals with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Precast Sandwich Walls
Concrete is an essential part of modern buildings. As net zero building become more common, it is crucial to find ways to reduce concrete's carbon footprint and explores strategies for reducing embodied carbon and operation carbon in precast sandwich wall panels and insulated architectural cladding.
Learn more >>
Successful, Sustainable Precast Enclosure Projects: Designs for Education, Healthcare, Offices, and More
High-performance, fully composite insulated wall panels deliver all the benefits of factory precasting with load-bearing and energy efficiency performance from the lightest, thinnest panels possible. This course describes the makeup and cost efficiencies of composite precast panels, their benefits when made with carbon fiber grid shear trusses, and considerations for selecting among the insulation options. The majority of the course focuses on case studies of successful precast enclosure projects in a wide variety of building types across a range of markets.
Learn more >>
Precast Chalk Talk: Episode 68
In this episode of Precast Chalk Talk, President Hagen Harker explores the process of manufacturing precast wall panels and takes a look at how we cast in lifters to ensure proper handling both at our plant and on the jobsite.
The Versatility of Hollowcore
When it comes to efficient, versatile, and sustainable building solutions, hollowcore precast concrete slabs are at the forefront of innovation. Whether you’re working on residential, commercial, or industrial projects, hollowcore delivers a range of benefits that directly address the demands of today’s construction challenges. Let’s dive into why architects, engineers, and contractors are increasingly turning to hollowcore for their projects.
What is Hollowcore?
Hollowcore slabs are precast, prestressed concrete elements with continuous voids running through them. These voids not only make the slabs lighter but also reduce material usage without compromising strength. Ideal for long spans and heavy loads, hollowcore can be used for floors, roofs, and even walls. The result? A structural solution that’s strong, durable, and cost-effective.
Why Choose Hollowcore?
Speed of Construction: Time is money in construction, and hollowcore helps accelerate project timelines. Precast offsite and delivered ready to install, these slabs minimize onsite labor and reduce curing delays. Your schedule just got a lot tighter - and your bottom line, healthier.
Structural Efficiency: With spans reaching up to 50 feet, hollowcore eliminates the need for intermediate supports in many designs. This allows for flexible layouts, open spaces, and more creative architectural possibilities.
Sustainability: Hollowcore uses less concrete than solid slabs, reducing overall material consumption and contributing to a more sustainable construction process. Plus, the thermal mass of hollowcore improves energy efficiency, helping buildings meet today’s green standards.
Fire Resistance: Precast hollowcore slabs provide inherent fire resistance, offering peace of mind for safety-focused projects.
Cost Savings: The reduced need for formwork, faster installation, and lower material use translate directly into cost savings for the owner and contractor alike.
Design and Application Insights
Hollowcore isn’t just versatile - it’s adaptable. Here are a few specific applications and details to consider:
Mixed Use Developments: Perfect for buildings that require varying load capacities across floors, such as parking garages beneath residential units.
Educational Facilities: Hollowcore’s sound-dampening properties and ability to support large spans make it ideal for schools and auditoriums.
Warehouses and Industrial Spaces: Long spans and heavy load capacities make it a natural fit for industrial environments.
When designing with hollowcore, collaboration with precast producers is key. PCI-certified producers, like Mid-States Concrete Industries, bring decades of expertise, offering custom solutions tailored to the unique needs of your project.
Hollowcore by the Numbers
Voids: Typically, hollowcore slabs have voids that reduce weight by approximately 30-40% compared to solid concrete slabs of the same dimensions.
Span-to-Depth Ratio: Common span-to-depth rations range from 30:1 to 40:1, depending on the loading requirements.
Thickness Options: Available in thicknesses ranging from 6 inches to 16 inches to suit various structural demands.
Ready to Build Smarter?
As we continue to push the boundaries of construction, hollowcore stands out as a reliable, proven solution for a wide range of projects. Its combination of speed, efficiency, and sustainability ensures that it meets the evolving needs of the AEC industry.
Looking to incorporate hollowcore into your next project? Connect with Mid-States Concrete Industries to explore the full potential of this precast marvel. Our team of experts are here to help you design, specify, and build with confidence. Contact us today at sales@msprecast.com.