Precast concrete or
in Indonesian, "precast concrete, what's the difference with conventional
concrete? Hmm !! This article will review "precast concrete", but it
might not be so detailed or there might be something wrong with the contents of
this writing. Understandably it's still in the learning stage too, but I try to
give what I know. Hehehe. Immediately, what is "precast concrete".
Prefabricated concrete is a component or structural element that is not cast /
printed in a place where the element is installed, but is printed / cast in
another place where the casting and maintenance process is carried out properly
according to the existing method. After the element is made, then it is taken
to the location to be compiled into a complete structure according to its
function. Basically, precast concrete is not made at the project implementation
site, but precast factories.
Well..! Now what are
the advantages of precast concrete compared to conventional concrete? Precast
concrete has many advantages compared to conventional concrete. Here are the
advantages of precast concrete (according to my knowledge), among others:
- Project execution time can be faster. By using precast concrete, for example in a building project, when the structure work is still in the foundation stage, where the implementation can coincide with the production of precast concrete (eg precast floor columns on the elements to be installed first can be produced earlier, at the age of concrete it has been reached and the bottom structure work is finished, the element is ready to be installed, with the overlapping work, the project becomes shorter.
- Use less begesting.
- Guaranteed quality, because it is done with good methods and good care in precast concrete manufacturing plants.
- Reducing construction costs, because the wages of precast manufacturing workers are lower than the wages of workers in the project.
- Does not affect the weather.
- More environmentally friendly, because the project location is not much dirt from concrete remnants and begesting.
That's the advantage
of precast concrete that I know. There is no ivory that is not cracked. Once
the saying goes, so is precast concrete. Prefabricated concrete also has
drawbacks / weaknesses. Shortages of precast concrete include:
- Additional costs for transportation, because it is printed on a precast concrete manufacturing plant.
- Equipment that has a large capacity for erection (installation) is needed.
- A large stock area is needed for curing.
- A large area is needed for the production.
- Technical problems and additional costs that will arise when implementing the installation of precast concrete elements, especially on the connections.
- That is the weakness of precast concrete. To minimize the need for proper planning and methods.
After knowing what
are the advantages and disadvantages of the precast concrete, the components of
the structure whose implementation uses precast concrete. Prefabricated
concrete methods can be carried out construction: Buildings (precast piles,
precast beams and columns, precast walls and precast floors). Bridges (girder,
deckslab, diaphragm, voided slab). Sheet pile. And many more.