High streght concrete and precasting

Abstract

High Strength Concrete (HSC) have also improved other concrete characteristics besides its strength, as impermeability or durability, that permits to reduce concrete cover and section dimensions with respect to normal strength concrete (NSC) ones, and therefore to reduce weight. That is very important for precast elements to facilitate its transportation to site and installation there. Furthermore, it is possible to decrease a lot the period between concreting and demoulding, including prestressing where appropriate, increasing the production of each mould and decreasing the installations paying-off. A better execution in every production step: reduced number of mixes, short distance of concrete transportation from mixer to mould, very good compaction by stronger vibration, easier curing, stricter tolerances and better control, facilitates to obtain HSC in permanent precast factories.