Sustainable development takes into consideration the environment, society and economy.
Precast concrete’s inherent properties make it a natural choice for achieving sustainability with today’s modern buildings and the Australian Institute of Management Western Australia (AIMWA) Learning Development Centre in Perth is proving just how. Read the full story.
Locally manufactured using local products (lower transport costs) in reuseable moulds, precast produces minimal waste and most manufacturing waste is recycled. Recycled materials can be included in the concrete mix, such as slag, flyash, aggregate, steel and water.
Exact elements are delivered to site meaning fast construction, less site trades on site (OHS benefits) and less waste on site (less transportation and disposal of waste).
When incorporated into passive solar design, the high thermal mass of precast concrete can provide effective use of daylight to reduce heating and cooling costs. Precast concrete’s low water-cement ratio means precast is extremely durable. Its long life offers minimal maintenance and reuseable, recyclable structures which contain less concrete and steel and absorb CO2. Structures are also fire resistant and perform well acoustically.
Energy Efficient: thermal mass benefits
- High thermal mass of precast concrete enables it to absorb, store and later radiate heat.
- Using precast concrete in passive solar designs allows natural heating in winter and cooling in summer, thereby reducing the need to rely on artificial heating and cooling.
Improved internal building amenity
- Use of precast concrete can even out internal diurnal building temperatures.
- Some precast systems can improve indoor air quality, providing fresh air inside the home.
Durable, long life, reuseable, low maintenance structures
- With a long life expectancy of up to 100 years, precast structures are durable.
- Precast structures can be reused, extended and refitted internally. Structures do not need to be demolished and can simply be renovated internally conserving resources, reducing waste and landfill.
- Precast is easy to keep clean, requiring minimal maintenance.
- Precast is tough and can withstand wear and tear, requiring minimal repairs.
- Precast concrete can be moulded into almost any form and finish. Careful design of precast concrete buildings increases the likelihood of reusing the building over again.
- Precast concrete gains strength as it ages, won’t shrink, distort or move and will not deteriorate with exposure to climatic change.
- Being flood resistant, precast concrete does not erode or rot therefore is suitable for river and coastal barriers to protect against high tides and storms.
- As a hardy waterproof construction method, precast concrete underground pipes transport sewerage and clean water across the country.
- Precast concrete is impact resistant and hard to cut, offering security and protection against terrorist acts.
Locally supplied
- Materials used by precast manufacturers are usually supplied locally. This reduces haulage and fuel costs and also diverts resources from landfill.
- Precast elements are usually locally manufactured and supplied to sites meaning reducing haulage and fuel costs.
- Local highly skilled erection crews erect precast concrete elements safely on site.
Uses less concrete, cement and steel
- Less concrete and steel are required for precast concrete because of its higher quality.
- Less concrete is used in some precast flooring systems.
- Precast allows reduced levels of cement in the concrete mix due to higher quality manufacturing processes.
- Long spans of precast flooring mean reduced material use for supporting columns.
Minimises waste during manufacture and on site
- Manufactured in reusable moulds.
- Most waste during manufacture is recyclable.
- Exact elements are delivered to site.
- Less site air pollution, noise and debris.
Reuses waste resources and recycled materials
- Waste materials (such as slag and fly ash) which would otherwise be used in landfill can be incorporated into the precast mix design.
- Recycled aggregate can be incorporated in to the precast mix design.
- Recycled steel can be used in the manufacture of precast elements.
- Grey water and stormwater runoff can be used in the precast concrete mix design, thereby reducing mains water consumption.
Recyclable precast elements
- Precast concrete elements can be crushed and reused as aggregate for road bases or construction fill, providing economic and environmental savings.
Faster construction
- Precast concrete allows other trades to begin work more quickly, speeding the construction time and saving costs.
- Fast construction on site means less disturbance for surrounding properties.
- Precast elements can be delivered just in time for erection, reducing unnecessary handling and equipment use.
Acoustic performance
- The high thermal mass of precast concrete assists with sound insulation to reduce noise and absorb noise impact.
- Noise walls provide an effective sound barrier between roads and urban noises, and outdoor and indoor spaces and provide more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable living environments.
- Precast concrete walls can create.
Fire resistant
- Precast concrete is non-combustible, does not melt and therefore does not require additional fire-proofing applications.
- Precast concrete does not emit toxic fumes under fire and can limit smoke spreading in buildings.
Environmental benefits
- Precast concrete is an inert substance which does not emit or give off gases or compounds. This is a huge relief to allergy sufferers.
- Precast does not attract mould or mildew.
- Precast concrete absorbs CO2.
- Being termite proof means the unlikelihood of requiring chemical spray to reduce termites and vermin which is safer for the environment.
- As landscaping and street furniture features, planters increase biodiversity apart from providing a green environment for birds and a pleasant communal meeting place.
OHS benefits
- Less trades on site means safer sites with less equipment, workers and materials.
- Reduced congestion - construction sites are cleaner and tidier, with minimal waste on site.
- Precast floors can provide a safe immediate working platform for the erection crew.
National Precast ConcreteAssociation of Australia