Precast concrete’s versatility makes it a favorite of engineers. The material can accommodate a wide variety of configurations. For instance, the layout of a precast concrete wall system can maximize open areas and create flexible options for floor plans.
With so much emphasis being placed on project life cycles, structural engineers can use precast concrete to create an adaptable shell that can be changed during decades of service. As market conditions change and technology advances, precast concrete structures can be changed easily and economically. This creates value, as owners today often specify 100-year length of service for their buildings.
Engineers have the comfort of knowing a precast concrete structure and system will resist storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes, in addition to earthquakes and fire. Precast concrete meets all FEMA P-361 criteria for safe rooms and the material is noncombustible with a slow rate of heat transfer.
Precast concrete’s design versatility allows to design using fewer materials in creating the structural system than other construction methods.