precast concrete

precast concrete

[′prē¦kast ′kän‚krēt]

(materials)

Concrete components which are cast and partly matured in a factory or on the site before being lifted into their final position on a structure.

precast concrete

1. Material that reduces the need for onsite formwork with a process known as “tilt-up” construction, in which precast panels are lifted into a vertical position and then attached to the structural frame.

See also: Concrete

2. Material that reduces the need for onsite formwork with a process known as tilt-up construction, in which precast panels are lifted into a vertical position and then attached to the structural frame.

Precast concrete

Concrete that has been cast into a form which is later incorporated into a structure. A concrete structure may be constructed by casting the concrete in place on the site, by building it of components cast elsewhere, or by a combination of the two. Concrete cast in other than its final position is called precast.

In contrast with cast-in-place concrete construction, in which columns, beams, girders, and slabs are cast integrally or bonded together by successive pours, precast concrete requires field connections to tie the structure together. These connections can be a major design problem.

Precast units can be standardized. Savings can then result from repeated reuse of forms and assembly-line production. Furthermore, high quality can be maintained because of the controls that can be kept on production under plant conditions. However, there is always the possibility that transportation, handling, and erection costs for the precast units will offset the savings. See Concrete, Prestressed concrete