The precast concrete elements are factory-made pieces prepared to be installed directly on site. During their manufacturing process, fresh concrete is poured into molds for subsequent setting, and it has a shape that is defined in the different projects and technical specifications of civil and road engineering.
The set concrete pieces that result from demolding undergo strict quality controls that guarantee the most demanding expectations of the construction processes. The precast concrete elements that are part of a project are stored awaiting transport to the site.
Precasting, therefore, is an industrialized solution for constructing any type of civil building or road structural elements such as viaducts, underpasses, or pipelines. In addition, the system guarantees a safe, cost-effective, and efficient way to significantly increase the productivity of the construction process.
At Cleannox, we want to tell you more about precast concrete elements based on our experience of more than 100 years in the manufacture of elements and materials for construction and more than 25 years of exclusive dedication to the manufacture of decorative paving stones.
How are precast concrete elements made?
In the composition of precast concrete, 3 materials basically come into play: cement, sand and water. In addition to the additives that can be added to provide specific properties according to the use they are going to have. The resulting mixture is placed in molds before reaching the setting phase where the necessary shape for the type of project for which it is to be used will be completed.
It is important to know the difference between simple concrete, which contains gravel, sand, cement and water and has great resistance to compressive stresses, and reinforced concrete, which is used on a steel structure that will remain inside.
Precast concrete is that which is molded before being placed on site. In turn, we can distinguish between prestressed precast concrete, subjected to the combination of high-strength concrete with steel. And post-tensioned concrete, subjected to compressive stresses by steel cables, after being poured and set.
In what type of constructions is precast concrete used?
Precast concrete elements or reinforced concrete products are very versatile and adapt to any type of project, such as buildings, industrial works, bridges, dams, tunnels and roads, describing below the most representative sectors.
Civil construction
- Compact cement blocks that are installed by joining courses with mortar and are worked similarly to brick.
- Lintels to be installed above the carpentry frames where the bricks are left without support.
- Panels, plates and foundations for buildings, industrial warehouses, etc.
- Manholes for sewerage or electrical networks used in urbanizations.
- Bridges, for which precast concrete elements offer their essential characteristics of resistance.
- Slabs and pre-slabs
Road construction
- Pavements and concrete paving stones for pedestrian roads, garden areas and low-traffic roads.
- The concrete frames and vaults for underpasses, forming part of an ideal transverse drainage system for roads.
- Prestressed beams for bridges and viaducts that are part of highways and motorways around the world.
- Prestressed concrete poles for telecommunications.
Prestressed concrete in precast elements
Prestressing is a solution that combines high-strength concretes with steel and that allows, due to its characteristics, reducing the section compared to other precast elements.
Advantages of precast concrete elements
There are many advantages of placing precast concrete elements in terms of speed in the execution of the works, lower cost of workers, maximum guarantee and quality of the pieces and lower environmental impact.
Environment
Precast concrete pieces reduce the expenditure of energy, water and construction materials.
Lower risk of damage in case of earthquakes
High-quality precast elements are produced that are capable of withstanding seismic movements.
Economic advantages
When building with elements prefabricated saves time, costs, and quantity of materials. The final price of the projects is less variable and the construction period is shorter.
Precision and accuracy
In the industrial plant, the quality controls are exhaustive and constant, guaranteeing the maximum quality of the pieces.
Greater protection and safety
Its properties offer guaranteed protection against adverse atmospheric conditions, including possible impacts due to hurricane-force winds.
Minimal waste production
As they are not manufactured using formwork on site, they generate less waste than traditional projects and their installation is not as noisy.
Energy expenditure
Buildings provided with precast concrete elements have excellent performance as thermal insulation, which translates into lower energy expenditure. And the different structures are easily adaptable to improve energy efficiency conditions.
It also offers another series of advantages such as greater adhesion, resistance to corrosion, a superior finish surface and mechanical resistance. Among its cons; it does not have as much resistance to horizontal stresses, the personnel must be highly specialized because if it is not, it could compromise the final resistance of the element. It will also be necessary to have transport vehicles and machinery necessary to transport the precast concrete pieces and space for their use.
Ask Cleannox about its services in precast concrete elements
To learn more about precast concrete elements, you can consult the website of Cleannox. We are professionals with more than ten decades of experience in the manufacture of elements and precast concrete for the construction sector. And we have also spent 25 years dedicated to the manufacture of decorative paving stones for Albacete and Madrid. We adapt to your tastes and preferences, as we have the necessary capacity to manufacture concrete paving stones in the shape, style, finish and colors you want.
All our products are periodically controlled according to UNE-EN 1338 standard by an external laboratory. We adhere to the Quality Management system that guarantees obtaining the best products in accordance with the ISO 9001:2015 standard. We have the best guarantee in the trust of our clients.
Cleannox, adoquines de hormigón para pavimentos decorativos. Adoquines ecológicos con efecto fotocatalítico.
