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Pros And Cons Of Precast Technology

By Rishabh Chamoli | 2022-11-03

Could precast technology be the future of construction? As the construction industry continues to adopt newer technologies, lets learn about the precast technology, which has recently gained popularity among developers

Over the past decade, the construction industry across the world has evolved and introduced several new technologies. India has been the frontrunner in adopting these newer technologies. And, why not, India is currently witnessing several infrastructural projects come up, and thus these technologies are a saviour. Precast technology is one of the primary ones that is fast gaining acceptance in the real estate sector. Under the advanced precast technology, different elements or different parts of a basic construction structure such as slabs, roofs, beams, wall panels, columns, support wings, etc. are custom designed and manufactured away from the construction site at a quality controlled factory, and then all of it is assembled at the final site to construct a building, says Shashank Phadke, a civil engineer. But how is this technology performing?

Time efficient
As the parts are made at a factory under a controlled environment, several works such as manufacturing the part, concrete casting, and finishing can be done simultaneously, unlike the manual procedure where one needs to dedicate several days for just the cement and bricks to be fixed. Also, with everything being custom made, the plan for each elements shape, size, and weight is predetermined, saving a lot of time. It is observed that on an average it takes at least 50 per cent less amount of time to make a structure when this technology is used against when constructed using traditional methods.

Assured quality
The usage of this technology eliminates the possibilities of human error as the independent structures are machine made. Additionally, the most important factors, which determine the quality of construction building, casting and curing, temperature, design mix, and frameworks can be monitored minutely

More durable
As these separate elements are tested beforehand against all possible impacts that can be potentially caused by various natural processes such as corrosion, acid attacks, and rainfall (water seepages), they are more durable than the ones constructed using traditional methods

Cost effective
Though one needs to invest a huge amount initially, the monetary returns post completion of structures are huge. The reason is zero to minimal maintenance cost. Also, increased durability helps avoid big repairs and renovations. Moreover, as the structure is completed in almost half the time as compared to when constructed using older methods, the developers can finish their projects faster and move on to the next one.

However, as its rightly said that every coin has two sides precast technology also comes with its own set of disadvantages. Highlighting them, Niranjan Hiranandani, national vice chairman, NAREDCO says

CONs

Transportation Difficulty
Smaller roads, numerous flyovers/skywalks/Metro lines make it difficult to transport these huge elements to the construction site from the factory where they are manufactured.

Damage control
We lack the availability of a damage control mechanism in case the parts are compromised while in transit as remaking these parts frequently will not serve the basic purpose (time management and enhancing cost effectiveness) of usage of this technology.

Modification possibility
As the structures are custom made, theres barely any room for modifications, a drawback, which might affect customer experience largely.

Environment
India is a country with quite an unstable climate and faces numerous natural calamities making it challenging to test the structures. Technology modification must be in alignment with the zoning, climate, topography and soil of the region as it improves its relevance and performance.

Precast concrete contributes to green building practices in significant ways as well by reducing waste and enabling optimum recycling. As the precast concrete is factory made, there is little waste created in the plant, further also reducing construction waste and debris on site. Insulation and connections within the precast concrete also contain recycled content. And thus, the real estate industry together needs to take the responsibility of establishing more such units because such technologies are beneficial to the industry as well as to the environment, concludes Hiranandani.