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Codes & Standards

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Structural

General Description

Structural precast components comprise reinforced and prestressed concrete structural elements and frames manufactured offsite in specialist precast concrete production plants. Precast concrete structural elements and frames are seen as an alternative to insitu concrete where there are requirements such as shorter construction times, special finishes or complex shapes which are otherwise difficult to produce.

Codes and Standards

Structural precast concrete elements are designed as per equivalent insitu concrete elements in a structure, with the same code governing the design of both methods of construction.

Codes & Standards
I.S. 326: 2004 Code of practice for the structural use of concrete.
I.S. EN 206-1: 2002 Concrete – Part 1: Specification, performance,production and conformity.
BS 5400: 1990 Steel, concrete and composite bridges(see latest relevant parts).
I.S. EN 13369 :2004 Common Rules for Precast Concrete Products.
I.S. EN 12794: 2005 Precast concrete products – Foundation piles.
I.S.EN 12843: 2004 Precast concrete products – Masts and poles.
I.S. EN 13224: 2004 Precast concrete products – Ribbed floor elements.
I.S. EN 13225: 2004 Precast concrete products – Linear structural elements.
I.S. EN 13693: 2004 Precast concrete products – Special roof elements.
I.S. EN 13978: 2005 Precast concrete products – Precast concrete garages.

Specification

Structural precast products are manufactured in a variety of predesigned and custom designed sizes. For flooring products standard load/span tables confirm the load/span capacity for a specific slab depth. Manufacturers catalogues and technical detail sheets illustrate typical structural details and confirm compliance with the building regulations and relevant codes and standards.

Product Range

  • Floor Wall & Roof Units
  • Bridge Beams/Units
  • Prestressed Beams
  • Stairs/Lift Shafts
  • Reservoirs & Tanks
  • Beam & block floors
  • Bridge decking
  • Hollowcore floor units
  • Concrete Structural Frames
  • Culvert Units
  • Cladding
  • Retaining Wall Units
  • Wide Slab Flooring

Civil Works

General Description

Projects involving waste treatment, water treatment, water supply and drainage are all covered under the term ‘Civil Works’. More complex unit shapes, higher durability requirements and good production control make precast concrete a viable alternative to in-situ concrete for such applications.

Codes and Standards

Codes & Standards
I.S. 6: 2004 Concrete cylindrical pipes.
I.S. EN 1916: 2004 Concrete pipes and fittings, unreinforced, steel fibre and reinforced.
I.S. EN 1917: 2004 Concrete manholes and inspection chambers unreinforced, steel fibre and reinforced.
I.S. 136: 1982 Concrete fence posts.
I.S. 146: 1965 Precast concrete kerbs, channels, edgings, quadrants.
I.S. 252: 1982 Post and rail fencing.
I.S. 420: 2004 Precast concrete manholes.
I.S. EN 12839: 2001 Precast concrete products - elements for fences.
S.R. 6: 1991 Septic tank systems, recommendation for domestic effluent treatment and disposal from a single dwelling house.
I.S. 326: 2004 Code of practice for the structural use of concrete.
I.S. EN 1340: 2003 Concrete kerb units – Requirements and test methods.
BS 5911: Part 6: 2004 Road gullies and gulley cover slabs.
BS 8007: 1987 Design of concrete structures for retaining aqueous liquids.
BS 8110: 1997 Structural use of concrete.

Specification

Precast concrete units for use in civil works are manufactured in a variety of standard sizes according to the appropriate code, plus a range of nonstandard sizes manufactured to the same quality requirements.

Compliance of products is assessed by regular sampling and testing of units.

Product Range

  • Armour Break Water Units
  • Gulley boxes
  • Concrete Pipes
  • Prestressed Tanks & Reservoirs
  • Culvert Units
  • Kerbs & Road Barriers
  • Septic Tanks
  • Fencing/Fencing Posts
  • Manholes, Base Sections & Covers
  • Retaining Wall Units

Architectural

General Description

Architectural precast concrete is generally chosen for its superior visual qualities in a finished structure. It can be produced faced with brick, stone, slate and many other materials as well as exposed aggregates with various textures and profiles. Cladding, being the visual facade of buildings, comprises the bulk of architectural precast concrete products.

Codes and Standards

Codes & Standards
I.S. 326: 2004 Code of practice for the structural use of concrete.
I.S. EN 771-5: 2003 Specification for masonry units. Manufactured stone masonry units.
BS 1217: 1997 Specification for cast stone.
BS 6457: 1984 Specification for reconstructed stone masonry units.
BS 8110: 1997 Structural use of concrete.
BS 8297: 2000 Precast concrete cladding (non-loadbearing).

Specification

Architectural precast concrete units are available in a range of sizes, colours, textures and finishes. Custom designed architectural panels are developed for individual projects at design development stage by a process of close cooperation between the design team and the specialist precast concrete producer.

Product Range

  • Polished Concrete Panels
  • Reconstituted Stone
  • Architectural GRC Panels
  • Exposed Aggregate Concrete Panels
  • Natural Stone Faced Concrete Panels

Building Components

General Description

Any precast concrete unit which is used in normal masonry construction, with the exception of concrete masonry dealt with in section 3, may be deemed to be a building component. Such building components are used to complement masonry construction. 5.4.2 Codes

Codes and Standards

Codes & Standards
I.S. EN 490: 2005 Concrete roofing tiles and fittings – product specifications.
I.S. EN 491: 2005 Concrete roofing tiles and fittings – test methods.
I.S. ICP 2: 2002 Code of practice for slating and tiling.
I.S. 89: Part 1: 1981 Window sills.
I.S. EN 845-2 Specification for ancillary components for masonry – Part 2: Lintels.

Specification

Precast concrete building units are manufactured in a range of types and sizes. The size and type of unit required for a particular application will depend on a number of factors. The standards should be referenced or suppliers advice sought in selecting the correct unit.

Compliance of products is assessed by regular sampling and testing of units.

Product Range

  • Lintels
  • Roof tiles
  • Copings
  • Window sills
  • Flue blocks and gatherers
  • Cappings

Street Furniture

General Description

Street furniture refers to any element which is to be located on a public road or footpath in order to improve the ability of the area to cater for the public. Precast concrete street furniture is not unlike precast architectural concrete in that appearance is often of significant importance. Street furniture is generally nonstructural.

Specification

The only requirements of precast concrete street furniture is that they are sound, durable and pass the visual requirements of the purchaser.

Standard street furniture is available in a range of sizes, colours, textures and finishes. Specialised units may also be available on request according to supplier. For specialised units, compliance with visual requirements is generally agreed on the basis of previously approved samples.

Product Range

  • Street Furniture

Agricultural

General Description

Street furniture refers to any element which is to be located on a public road or footpath in order to improve the ability of the area to cater for the public. Precast concrete street furniture is not unlike precast architectural concrete in that appearance is often of significant importance. Street furniture is generally nonstructural.

Codes and Standards

Codes & Standards
I.S. 326: 2004 Code of practice for the structural use of concrete.
BS 8110: 1997 Structural use of concrete.
I.S. 249: 1993 Cattle slats (to be withdrawn 2005).
I.S. EN 12737: 2004 Floor slats for livestock.
I.S. 252: 1982 Concrete post and rail fences.

Specification

Precast concrete units for use in agriculture are manufactured in a variety of types and sizes. The suppliers advice should be sought in selecting the correct unit for a particular situation.

Product Range

  • Cattle underpasses
  • Central Passage Floor Slabs
  • Paddock Fencing
  • Slatted Tanks & Farm Buildings
  • Slatted Flooring

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