In this episode of Precast Chalk Talk, Hagen Harker talks with team members about our new shear machine.
Pre-planning an installation
As a partner on your projects, we always want to make sure we provide the value you are looking for. Part of that value is providing your team with a pre-installation plan for how we will install precast components in a way that makes the most sense for your jobsite.
Pre-planning for a precast installation starts during the preconstruction stage of a project, but really takes off once we are awarded the job. The successful completion of the precast install is largely based off of a well-executed installation plan that takes into account safety, trucking access and staging, crane placement and obstructions, and an agreed upon strategy between the precaster and general contractor for the sequence of the erection.
First and foremost, all plans need to take safety into account. Leading edge (the unprotected side and edge of a floor, roof, or formwork for a floor or other walking/working surface), working at heights, crane safety, and other subcontractors on site are all unique parts of the precast install. Taking these items into consideration early on and developing feasible solutions to accommodate them will jump start a successful precast erection.
One of the keys to success is pieces installed per day. The more pieces available to be readily installed reduces the amount of time the precaster is on site, a win-win for all parties involved. Getting the trucks transporting the precast pieces to the crane on site quickly and efficiently eliminates crane downtime (inactivity) and accelerates precast completion.
Another key is crane placement and obstructions. Does inside access with a smaller, more mobile crane suit the site conditions better or a larger, less mobile crane on the outside? Many factors go into this decision including price, completion of other subcontractor work (providing a hold out for crane access), truck access, and site obstructions/limitations. As your partner, we provide a crane map with our suggestions based on your jobsite and size needs for your precast.
The final key to a successful precast install is an agreed upon erection sequence between the precaster and the general contractor. Future work of other subcontractors, site restrictions, and the three items listed above (safety, trucking, and crane) all go into this decision.
The main goal is to successfully install all precast members in the most efficient and safe manner so as to use a minimal amount of time to complete. Taking these items into account will help determine the best path for all parties involved, including the owner, general contractor, precaster, and other subcontractors. A solid and well thought out pre-plan for precast erection will start any job out on the right foot and will pay dividends later.
Precast Chalk Talk: Episode 14
In this episode of Precast Chalk Talk, President Hagen Harker talks with members of our Elematic crew about what a typical day looks like for their team, and some of the tasks they complete each day.
Fall in Love With Precast
In honor of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, here are 14 reasons to fall in love with precast concrete.
1. Durability and Adaptability
Precast concrete panels provide a long service life due to their durable, low-maintenance surfaces. Insulated sandwich panels paired with precast concrete construction also provides the opportunity to move and reuse panels to refurbish the building, rather than tear it down, should its use or function change.
2. Thermal Mass and Energy Performance
The thermal mass of concrete allows shifting of peak heating and cooling loads in a structure to help reduce mechanical-system requirements and energy consumption through the building envelope.
3. Fire and Natural Disaster Resistance
Concrete is noncombustible and can contain a fire. As a separation wall, precast concrete helps prevent fire from spreading throughout a building or jumping from building to building. Precast concrete is resistant to wind, hurricanes, and floods.
4. Air Infiltration
Precast concrete panels have negligible air infiltration. Minimizing air infiltration between panels and at floors and ceilings will provide a building with low air infiltration. These effects will lower energy costs and help prevent moisture problems.
5. Abundant, Local Materials
Concrete is used in almost every country of the world as a basic building material. Aggregates, about 85% of concrete content, are generally low-key, local, naturally occurring sand and stone. Most precast concrete plants are within 200 miles of a building site. Using local materials reduces the transportation required to shop heavy building materials, and the associated energy and emissions.
6. Indoor Environmental Quality
Concrete contains low to negligible volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Polished concrete floors do not require carpeting. Exposed concrete walls do not require finishing materials, eliminating particulates from sanding drywall taping seams.
7. Mitigating the Urban Heat-Island Effect
Precast concrete provides reflective surfaces that minimize the urban heat-island effect.
8. Resistance to Noise
Precast concrete walls provide a buffer between outdoor noise and the indoor environment.
9. Inedibility
Vermin and insects cannot destroy concrete because it is inedible.
10. Speed of Construction/All Weather Construction
Pieces are cast off-site and delivered to you when you need them. The just-in-time delivery makes effective use of transportation and site access. A small crew can erect thousands of square feet per day.
11. Clear Spans
Column free interior space provides design freedom and lets you maximize the use of your space now and in the future.
12. Strength for Heavy Loads
If you need a building material that can handle heavy amounts of stress, point loads or weight, reinforced precast concrete is the only one that makes sense.
13. Versatility
Precast concrete allows designers to create a wide range of aesthetic effects and integrate a diverse array of facade elements into a single precast concrete pane.
14. Quality Assurance
The key factors which regulate the quality of construction such as curing, temperature, mix design, formwork, etc. are monitored for precast concrete.
Precast Chalk Talk: Episode 13
In our latest episode of Precast Chalk Talk, Hagen talks with our Maintenance Team about our Water Reclamation Facility.