Facts on Prestressed Concrete

The Forms

The Forms we use are generally steel, long line forms, which means that there is anywhere from 75 feet to 400 feet between abutments, depending upon which form the product is cast on. The forms are plant produced for us by PCI member manufacturers who specialize in making precast forms. The use of steel forms gives a much more uniform finish than wood forms, and it allows for steam heat to be effectively used. After the product is cast, it is covered with custom tarp racks and insulated tarps that contain the heat and moisture so vital to rapid curing.

Greater Load Capicity

Prestressed concrete has the ability to carry greater loads and span greater distances while maintaining a minimum cross section. This factor gives the designer more freedom to open up spaces by using larger spans, and by using smaller sections. It also provides economy by requiring fewer supporting members, thus increasing speed of construction as well. The net effect is a sound, durable, non-combustible, premium structural system.

Pre-compression

Pre-compression is not the only advantage to prestressed concrete products. Plant controlled casting conditions, steam heated forms, and closely controlled batching of concrete are also advantages of using our products.

The Concrete is Specialized

The concrete is also specialized. We have concrete strengths of 3,500 to 4,000 psi in 16 hours. 3,500 to 4,000 psi would commonly be the 28-day compressive strength of cast in place concrete. We routinely achieve 5,000 to 6,000 psi 28-day strengths in our products, while maintaining a water to cement ratio of +/- 0.4%. This extra strength concrete is necessary to allow us to remove our products from their forms on a daily basis, and is a factor in the ability to span greater distances and support greater loads as compared to conventionally reinforced concrete. The byproduct of this concrete mix is a very dense, more consistent product, which provides greater durability. In house mix designs also allow us to fine-tune our mixes to keep the level of product quality at it’s maximum.