ABSTRACT
The most obvious definition for precast concrete is that it is concrete which has been prepared for casting, cast and cured in a location which is not its final destination. The distance travelled from the casting site may only be a few metres, where on-site precasting methods are used to avoid expensive haulage. A precast concrete structure is an assemblage of precast elements which, when suitably connected together, form a three-dimensional framework capable of resisting gravitation and wind (or even earthquake) loads. The framework is ideally suited to buildings such as offices, retail units, car parks, schools, stadia, and other such buildings requiring minimal internal obstruction and multifunctional leasable space. Some of the limitations found in precast concrete inevitably lead to it being used with other materials in a cost-effective manner, for example to provide structural continuity using small quantities of cast in situ reinforced concrete, or to form long-span steel or timber roofs.
