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WHY CHOOSE
PRECAST CONCRETE? |
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STRENGTH
The strength of precast
concrete gradually increases over time. Other materials can deteriorate,
experience creep and stress relaxation, lose strength and/or deflect
over time. The load-carrying capacity of precast concrete is derived
from its own structural qualities and does not rely on the strength or
quality of the surrounding backfill materials.
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DURABILITY
Studies have shown that precast concrete
products can provide a service life in excess of 100 years. For severe
service conditions, additional design options are available which can
extend the life of a precast concrete product. This is extremely
important when calculating life-cycle costs for a project. |
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MASS
Precast concrete products can
act as effective barriers to vehicular traffic due their size and
weight. In the current world climate, precast concrete products such as
planters, bollards and highway barriers increasingly are being used to
provide protection for a wide variety of venues. |
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QUALITY CONTROL
Because precast concrete
products typically are produced in a controlled environment, they
exhibit high quality and uniformity. Variables affecting quality
typically found on a jobsite - temperature, humidity, material quality,
craftsmanship - are nearly eliminated in a plant environment.
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FIRE RESISTANCE
Precast concrete is
noncombustible. Also, concrete does not lose its structural capacity
nearly as quickly as steel, which is now a significant consideration as
witnessed in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the towers'
subsequent collapse. Other materials besides concrete and steel are
flammable and/or do not perform well in elevated temperatures.
Fiberglass begis losing structural integrity at 200°F. HDPE begins to
melt at 266°F.
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CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
Precast concrete is resistant to most
substances. However, no material is completely immune to attack from
aggressive chemical agents. Thus, it is wise to choose the material with
the longest expected service life. Precast concrete products can be
designed to withstand anticipated corrosive agents.
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WEATHER RESISTANCE
Precast concrete is well suited
for exposure to all types of weather conditions. In regions experiencing
regular freeze-thaw cycles, the concrete mix can be designed to properly
withstand damage.
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UV
SENSITIVITY
Unlike some other materials, precast
concrete does not degrade from exposure to sunlight. This is extremely
beneficial for above-ground applications.
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ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
After water, concrete is the
most frequently used material on earth. It is nontoxic, environmentally
safe and composed of natural materials. Buried throughout the world,
precast concrete products help convey water without contributing to poor
water quality.
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EASE OF INSTALLATION
Although precast concrete is quite heavy.
nearly all other competing materials require machinery for handling and
installation as well. Besides, speed of installation is more dependent
on excavation than product handling and placement. Precast does not
require the use of special rigging (such as fabric slings) which must be
used in order to avoid structural damage while handling materials such
as fiberglass. Additionally, because precast products are designed and
manufactured for simple connection, many components can be installed in
a short time.
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REDUCED WEATHER DEPENDENCY
Precast concrete increases
efficiency because weather will not delay production. In addition,
weather conditions at the jobsite do not significantly affect the
schedule. This is because it reuires less time to install precast
compared with other construction methods, such as cast-in-place
concrete. Precast concrete can be easily installed on demand and
immediately backfilled - there is no need to wait for it to cure.
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WATERTIGHTNESS
Precast concrete products produced in a
quality-controlled environment and used with high-quality sealants offer
a superior solution to watertightness requirements. Standard watertight
sealants are specially formulated to adhere to precast concrete, making
watertight multiple-seam precast concrete structures possible.
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EFFICIENCY
Precast
concrete products arrive at the jobsite ready to install. There is no
need to order raw materials such as reinforcing steel and concrete, and
there is no need to expend time setting up forms, placing conrete or
waiting for the concrete to cure.
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AESTHETICS
Precast concrete products are both
functional and decorative. They can be shaped and molded into an endless
array of sizes and configurations. Precast concrete can also be produced
in virutally any color and a wide variety of finishes (exposed
aggregate, smooth-as-cast, acid-etched, sandblasted) to achieve the
desired appearance for building and site applications.
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LOW
MAINTENANCE
Precast concrete requires little or no
maintenance which makes it an ideal choice for nearly any design
solution. |
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