Precast concrete systems provide a variety of savings to a project schedule that are not always considered when looking at upfront costing versus other materials. These savings include speed in the design, construction, and finishing processes.
Design
The repetitive nature of precast panels and components allows design work to move more quickly to the shop drawing stage. Precast components can also aid a fast-track design by completing designs while other design work is still underway.
Design economy through repetition, maximizing piece size and shape and other approaches that limit form requirements.
Flexibility of design that offers inherent aesthetic qualities, as well as the ability to mimic the appearance of materials such as granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, or slate.
Material reduction by designing integrated structural components with architectural finishes and by using hollowcore slabs as combined ceiling/flooring units.
Construction
Precast components can be installed quickly, often cutting weeks or months from the schedule. This allows construction to get into the dry quicker and allows interior trades to begin work earlier.
Construction efficiency, due to the precaster’s ability to cast and erect throughout the year because precast components are fabricated under factory-controlled conditions in a plant, harsh winter weather does not impact the production schedule or product quality. This eliminates added time to accommodate unforeseen schedule condition due to delays caused by weather or site requirements. Factory production also provides tight tolerances, minimizing the need for field adjustments.
Elimination of hidden costs, by reducing the time to carry financial bonds, lowering contractor overhead costs and risks, eliminating the expense of nonprecast-related equipment, and reducing subcontractor costs.
Interior Completion
Precast concrete insulated sandwich wall panels provide a finished interior wall that avoids the time and cost of furring and dry-walling while offering energy efficiency. Electrical conduit can be embedded in the panels. The entire wall assembly can be constructed with one trade, versus the six or seven for a typical wall assembly. Using hollowcore planking to combine ceiling and flooring units can speed construction even further.
~ Information provided courtesy of PCI.