Precast concrete is poured, molded over rebar, and then cured in one location. Once the concrete is ready for use, it is transported to the building site. This process ensures ideal curing conditions and creates strong and high-quality concrete.
On the other hand, site cast concrete is poured, molded, and cured right at the construction site. When considering precast vs cast in place concrete cost, the latter is often cheaper. It is also very strong since the developers can add reinforced to steel bars to increase its strength and durability.
Here are some of the top pros and cons of using precast vs site cast concrete.
Precast Concrete
Below are the crucial advantages and disadvantages of precast concrete piles.
- Using most types of precast concrete slabs saves construction time. You can do this process simultaneously with other project tasks like surveys, earthwork, and many others.
- Production facilities and factories observe tight standards and regulations from start to end, so the resulting product is often very high-quality.
- Factories use a streamlined process, so you can realize a significant reduction of costs and time investment. This is definitely one of the main advantages of precast concrete planks.
- Precast concrete buildings are often more durable. For instance, when comparing cast in place vs precast concrete countertops, the latter often has a longer lifespan and service period.
- Because the work is done offsite, you don’t need to store the raw materials inside the construction site. As a result, the site is a lot safer for the workers.
- Since the construction site is at a different location from the plant, you’ll have to transport the same to the site. This means that developers have to account for the higher transportation costs.
- The products are large and heavy, so you should observe proper care to ensure safe transportation and handling.
- It’s difficult, and nearly impossible, to modify precast concrete design. If you encounter unexpected events down the road that necessitate changes, you may need to dismantle the entire structure.
- Precast concrete panels require more joints, making it less desirable for seismic-prone locations.
Site Cast Concrete
Here are a few of the important cast in site concrete advantages and disadvantages.
- One of the top poured concrete advantages and disadvantages is that you can do the process is on the site. This means that you don’t need to move the slabs far to get it in place. At the same time, the process can also be more expensive since there is typically less stringent control over the materials.
- For small structures, using cast in place concrete is generally cheaper.
- Site cast concrete is very strong and are perfect for foundations and basement walls. It is also less prone to structural damage caused by floods, earthquakes, and other similar disasters.
- However, site cast concrete requires a high amount of labor to ensure proper and timely pouring, molding, and curing. It is both labor and time intensive.
- In terms of versatility, site cast concrete is preferable since developers can customize it to the specific project.