PRECAST CONSTRUCTION

SYSTEM

PRESENTED BY:
M.ABIRAMI
2014233027
M.E STRUCTURAL ENGG
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Contents
Introduction
Features
Comparison
Design concept
Components
Types of precast

system
Design consideration

Equipments
Assembling
scheduling
Advantages
Limitations
Failures in precast
Conclusion
References
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Introduction
The

concept of precast structures also known as

prefabricated/ modular structures.

The

structural components are standardized and

produced in plants in a location away from the building
site.

Then transported to the site for assembly.

The

components are manufactured by industrial

methods based on mass production in order to build a
large number of buildings in a short time at low cost.
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Features
The division and specialization of the human workforce.
The use of tools, machinery, and other equipment,

usually automated, in the production of standard,

interchangeable parts and products.
Compared

to site-cast concrete, precast concrete

erection is faster and less affected by adverse weather
conditions.

Plant casting allows increased efficiency, high quality

control and greater control on finishes.

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precast concrete
buildings
The design
concept of the
precast
buildings is
based on :
Buildability
Economy
Standardizatio
n of precast
components
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Precast concrete
structural elements
Precast slabs

Precast Beam & Girders

Precast Columns

Precast Walls

Precast
stairs

Precast concrete Stairs

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Design considerations

Final position and loads

Transportation requirements self load and

position during transportation

Lifting loads distribution of lifting points

optimal way of lifting (selection of lifting and

rigging tools)
Vulnerable points (e.g. edges) reduction of

risk (e.g. rounded edges)

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Types of precast system

1.
2.
3.
4.

Large-panel systems
Frame systems
Slab-column systems with walls
Mixed systems

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1. Large-panel systems
Box-like structure
Both
vertical

and
horizontal elements are
load-bearing.
One-storey
high
wall
panels (cross-wall system
/
longitudinal
wall
system).
One-way or two way
slabs.
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2. Frame systems
Components

usually
elements.

are
linear

The beams are seated

on corbels of the
pillars usually with
hinged-joints
(rigid
connection is also an
option).
Joints are filled with

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3.Lift-slab systems
Partially precast in plant

(pillars) / partially cast onsite (slabs).

One or more storey high
pillars (max 5).
Special designed joints
and temporary joints.
Slabs are casted on the
ground (one on top of the
other) then lifted with
crane or special elevators.

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Lift-slab procedure

Pillars and the first package (e.g. 5 pieces) of slabs

prepared at ground level.
Lifting boxes are mounted on the pillars + a single slab
lifted to the first floor level.
8 boxes are sequentially raised to higher positions to
enable the slabs to be lifted to their required
Final position - slabs are held in a relative (temporary)
positions by a pinning system
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TYPES OF JOINTS
Typical joint system:
Dry joints with mechanical connectors generally
composed of angles, plates, channel bars,
anchors, fasteners, bolts, dowel bars including
joints completed in-situ with mortar for filling or fixing.
Emulative joint system:
Wet joints with rebar splices and cast-in-situ
concrete restoring the monolithic continuity proper
of cast-in-situ structures and leading usually to
moment-resisting unions.
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Mechanical joint system:

Dry joints with bolted flanges or other steel
fittings similar to those used in metallic
constructions fixed at the end of the precast
member.

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Equipments
Cranes:
Mobile crane
Tower crane
(above 3 stories)
Lifting tools:
Spreader beams
Wire rope slings
Rigging tools:
Eye bolt
Shakles
Hooks
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Assembling.
Column to column connection

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Beam to column connection

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Beam-slab joints

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Wall to slab connection

Precast concrete structure consisting of solid wall panels and hollow

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core slabs.

Advantages
Quick erection times
Possibility of conversion, disassembling

and moving to another site

Possibility of erection in areas where a traditional
construction practice is not possible or difficult
Low labor intensivity
Reduce wastage of materials
Easier management of construction sites
Better overall construction quality
Ideal fit for simple and complex structures
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Limitations
Size of the units.
Location of window openings has a limited

variety.
Joint details are predefined.
Site access and storage capacity.
Require high quality control.
Enable interaction between design phase and
production planning.
Difficult to handling & transporting.
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Scheduling
some approximate data for installation
Emplacement of hollow core floor slabs - 300
m2/day
Erection of pillars/columns - 8 pieces/day
Emplacement of beams - 15 pieces/day
Emplacement of double tee slabs - 25
pieces/day
Emplacement of walls - 15 pieces/day
Construction of stair and elevator shafts - 2
floors/day
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Failures in precast building due

to seismic effects
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY PARKING GARAGE
On January 17, 1994, an earthquake of 6.7 magnitude hit in Los

Angeles, California.
The collapse most likely occurred due to a faulty connection.
The structure experienced displacements at each level that

were far too large for the non-ductile columns to withstand.

Through the analysis done by Dames & Moore Inc. it was found

that the parking garage did not meet code due to its lack on
continuity and poor ductility.
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California state parking garage

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1999 Kocaeli-Golcuk earthquake

On August 17, 199, an earthquake of 7.4 magnitude hit in

Western Turkey causing causing many casualties and

causing severe damage to many buildings.
The first reason that many of the buildings experience

serious damage was due to poor connections between

structural elements.
The second reason was due to improper diaphragm

action due to precast members not being tied together to

create a rigid diaphragm to distribute the lateral loads.
Due to the detailing errors, many of these structure
collapse due the seismic activity (Tennant 2011).
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2012 Emilia Romagna Earthquake

On May 29, 2012 , the second of two earthquakes, of nearly 6.0

magnitude, hit the Emilia Romagna region of Italy.

Many of the precast structures failed due to inadequate connection

strengths.
Due to the low strength, it made the connections susceptible to failure

during the two seismic events.

The biggest cause for failure during the earthquakes was due to

columns rotating in opposite directions causing beams to slide off

of the connection points and collapse.
Another main area of failure during the earthquake occurred with the

shear keys, due to inadequate detailing in the reinforcement causing

little redundancy in creating a monolithic structure (Loannou 2012).
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a)Collapsed precast building b) Joint failure

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Conclusion
1. The use of prefabrication is almost doubled in the
last 15 years, increasing by 86%.
2. Reduce the amount of construction waste generated
on construction sites.
3. Reduce adverse environmental impact on sites.
4. Enhance quality control of concreting work
5. Reduce the amount of site labour and increase
worker safety .

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 Increased
transportation
difficulties,
greater
inflexibility, and more advanced procurement
requirements.
Connections-weakest link in structures and must be
designed with proper care and attention.

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References
Szonyi L.: Construction of prefabricated reinforced concrete

buildings, 2011
Benett, D.: Concrete Elegance 2004. Concrete Centre, 2005
Precast Concrete Structures. www.paradigm.in 2012.10.10
S. Brzev, T. Guevara-Perez: Precast Concrete Construction.
http://business.management6.com/PRECAST-CONCRETECONSTRUCTION-pdfe13174.
Sonjoy Deb: Precast Concrete for Building
Systemshttp://masterbuilder.co.in/Archives/Building
%20Materials/Concrete/Precast%20 Concrete%20for
%20Building%20Systems.pdf 2012.10.10
Lift slab
systemhttp://webs.demasiado.com/forjados/patologia/lift_slab/a
spect/index.htm2012.10.23
http://www.liftplanner.net/steamdrum.html 2012.10.23
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THANK YOU

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