June 17, 2024
Uncategorized
Precast concrete structures live up to expectations. Designed with exceptional attention to detail to meet the specifics of any project, they last for decades, even in the most challenging environments. Industry experts note that buildings constructed with precast concrete are not only longer-lasting but also more cost-effective in the long term. While many materials can go up quickly, precast concrete structures excel at efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and longevity, ensuring the longest possible lifespan of that structure.
At Boccella Precast, we take this one step further. Throughout our 50 years of industry experience, we’ve perfected the process by incorporating prestressed concrete into precast concrete structures to enhance their strength, resilience, and durability.
What Makes Precast Concrete Structures Different?
Precast concrete structures include factory-made components designed to be highly durable and reliable while keeping the cost of building and construction as low as possible because they are pre-made rather than made onsite. This speeds up production and enhances durability.
Prestressed concrete is made by introducing tension into steel strands embedded within the concrete itself. This is done prior to the concrete curing, enabling a far higher level of durability baked into the material itself. The prestressing process creates a compressive force within the concrete itself, building its strength.
Concrete’s compressive strength is high without any additions. However, concrete’s tensile strength is its weakness. When something bends the concrete even slightly, it’s likely to damage it. For this reason, standard reinforced concrete will have enhanced tensile strength because of the steel placed with it. This enables the concrete to withstand both compressive forces at the top as well as tensile forces bending and pulling it.
Prestressed concrete does more. It reinforces the concrete by utilizing high-strength steel tendons, which are stretched as the concrete is poured into place. This enables the concrete to cure around them, offering exceptional strength.
At Boccella Precast, a strong quality control process, which includes PCI Plant Certification, is utilized. These programs ensure that all manufacturing procedures are followed exactly to ensure the durability of the products we offer.
Key Benefits of Prestressed Concrete in Precast Concrete Structures
Prestressed products have exceptional results in precast concrete structures:
- Enhanced strength: Prestressing increases the load-bearing capacity of the precast structure. This enables these structures to withstand a higher level of force from all directions.
- Reduced risk of cracking: The design of prestressing reduces the risk of any cracking occurring at all because it creates a better level of balance. The tensile and compressive forces within the concrete are equally matched.
- Longevity and durability: The direct result of that higher strength is improved longevity and durability in most environments. They last longer than precast concrete structures, reducing maintenance and repair needs substantially. Precast concrete structures have a lifespan of 50 to 100 years, far surpassing that of other building materials.
- Reduced maintenance and repair costs: Less money is spent repairing and maintaining them over time, creating significant cost savings as well.
How Durability Benefits Precast Concrete Structures
Enhanced durability is, in itself, reason enough to select a precast concrete product over others. Yet, there are additional benefits that come with the process.
Precast concrete speeds up construction times because there’s less onsite work to handle. This reduces project schedules and costs. At the same time, projects can have numerous customizations built into the project, without any impact on those timelines. This also enables more specific, precise outcomes for projects.
Building Precast Concrete Structures That Last With Boccella
The durability of precast concrete structures, especially prestressed concrete, makes a calculable difference in the outcome of a project. Utilizing this type of building block in your project ensures long-term durability and reduces costs. Learn more about the work we do in creating custom concrete solutions for our clients. Contact Boccella Precast today.