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Prestressed vs. Post-Tension Concrete

In a companion blog we investigated why and how precast concrete is prestressed. If you have not yet read that blog, we recommend that you do so before launching into this topic. We began by exploring the fundamental mechanics and performance of prestressed concrete beams in contrast with conventionally reinforced concrete beams, and then proceeded […]

Grade Transition at Walls in Precast Concrete Parking Structures

It is almost inevitable that precast parking structures at some point encounter a change in grade between the exterior and interior of the structure. Grade changes are not limited to sites with variable topography, but they also occur on relatively level sites as the interior vehicular ramp(s) begin their ascent from the ground floor to […]

Electric Vehicle Loads in Precast Concrete Parking Structures

Precast concrete parking structures have been designed for the IBC-prescribed minimum live load of 40 psf with the introduction of IBC 2000, and this provision is still contained in IBC 2021 and ASCE 7-22. Both these codes prescribe the 40 psf uniform live load with a nonconcurrent 3.0 K concentrated load applied over a 4½” […]

Precast Concrete vs. Site-Cast Concrete

Jump-To: What is Precast Concrete? What is Site Cast Concrete? Advantage of Precast Comparing Precast vs. Site Cast Concrete Examples of Precast Buildings Finding a Quality Precast Manufacturer   Precast concrete or site-cast concrete? Asking yourself this question is essential for any construction project, as the choice largely depends on your needs. Precast concrete is incredibly versatile […]

Planning For Future Expansion Of Precast Parking Structures

Baseball legend Yogi Berra once opined that “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future”. Perhaps he was unconsciously channeling the Nobel Prize winning Danish physicist, Niels Bohr (1885-1962), who earlier noted that “Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.” Or perhaps Yogi was simply being his own colorful self. While […]