5 Guidelines for Developing the Perfect Precast Concrete Design

When you’re trying to design a precast concrete structure, there are many things to consider. First, however, there are a few things you absolutely need to remember about concrete when creating your own design. 

1. Standard Units

Precast units are designed to meet industry standards and come in popular shapes and sizes to meet most needs. Even though they are made ahead of time, these pieces are still strong enough to handle the stresses of installation, transportation, and handling without cracking. In addition, the data for these designs are easy to find, so you know if a unit has enough strength to handle your application. 

2. Custom Units

If you can’t find a standard design that meets your needs, you can opt to use custom precast concrete Iowa, which involves getting a design drawn by a professional engineer for your approval. When you go this route, the only thing to remember is to ensure you get the calculations for lifting stresses. 

3. Franchise Units

Another option is to purchase a high volume of custom units, known as franchise units. These are often cheaper than custom units because they are purchased in bulk, but they still need to meet all the requirements for any concrete structure. 

4. Joints and Sealants

The joints and sealants are important for holding neighboring pieces of precast concrete together. You must choose the appropriate ones to meet your performance and design requirements. 

5. Concrete Mix

Lastly, you want to consider the producer’s mix to create your custom or prefab precast units. To pick the best mix for your needs, you want to pay attention to all the factors, including proportions, performance, durability, compressive strength, water-cement ratio, and air content. 

There’s a lot to think about when you are designing a concrete building. Keeping these things in mind will help you create the perfect design that works for your application. 

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