A durable structure will serve its community for generations
Precast, prestressed concrete is a strong, durable, flexible material that can deliver a 100-year service life. PCI certified precast producers manufacture exceptionally strong, high quality components in tightly controlled plant conditions.
Concrete is a composite material, made up of cement, aggregate, water, air and admixtures. The end product is as good as the sum of its parts. PCI certified precasters use the best ingredients and production methods to deliver top quality to the jobsite.
Prestressing gives precast, prestressed concrete its incredible strength and durability. High-strength steel strand is tensioned in the forms before the concrete is cast. The concrete is cast with the stands fully embedded into it resulting in continuous contact. The force of the strands is transferred into the concrete via essentially the entire length of the concrete.
Prestressing offers many benefits, relative to traditional reinforced concrete, such as:
- Increase load carrying capacity of the member or element
- Allow for greater spans
- Fewer cracks
- Can reduce section size and weight
Because it is a highly engineered, strong material, precast can stand the test of time and provide a high level of performance for many decades.