PRECAST PANELS: AN ALTERNATIVE FORMWORK FOR CHB

A Concept Paper

Purposive Communication

Jn Yryve C. Embuscada

Jalal B. Mira-ato

Gira R. Villarta

III-CEM

October 2019
Introduction

Today, In construction expenses has a vital role in eveyday’s activity. That’s why
some companies are finding ways or alternatives to every activities or materials
that will conserve and lessen the expenses. Not only expenses but time. Time
which is the most valuable in construction. Time and expenses should be
considered as top priority so that the project will not fail.

Purpose/Rationale

The main purpose of precast panels is to lessen the work while still achieving the
standard and best strength and other concrete specifications. When the work is
lessen, manpower and time also decrease as well as the cost. Precast panels is
an alternative for CHB (Concrete Hollow Block).

The purpose of this concept paper is to help companies overcome the issues and
problems occuring at the construction site involving materials, cost and
timeframe.

Project Description:

 Goals

The goal for this project is to give companies better ways or alternatives for
construction. If this project is given thought or consideration, this could help them
reach a better solution for their problems on materials, manpower and time.

 Objectives/Research Questions

The general objective of this research is to carry out a comparative Cost-Benefit

analysis on the use of Pre-cast versus Concrete Hollow Blocks.

Methodology

Most engineers prefer Precast Panels and these are Factors on how their
preference.

BLOCKS ARE HOLLOW

 Based on the standard measurements, a concrete block measures about
8 inches by 8 inches by 16 inches. The actual dimensions can vary slightly
depending on the nominal size allowed for mortar to fill between the
blocks. We can say that blocks are pretty solid but as you often encounter,
they have hollow spaces which are filled by cement paste after they are
laid onto the house construction. This reduces their weight and though
they are covered upon installation, it does not guarantee their full strength
as some may be exposed to certain gaps.
 PRECAST IS SOLID
Unlike hollow blocks, precast is solid. They are simply suitable for
concrete walls as they can be easily poured into a desired form and size.
Precast has no empty gaps because they are manufactures in a controlled
factory environment and transported to the construction site.
Manufacturers also used techniques which actually form a precast
concrete wall right to the job site. Precast concrete are delivered by trucks
and transported to the work place. They contain a strong structural
element which makes them more sustainable.
 STRENGTHS ARE RELATIVELY EQUAL
Ideally, concrete blocks and precast can be equal in strength. The
strength of concrete is commonly measured in pounds per square inch.
So, meaning to say, a concrete block and a precast concrete section of
the same size can have the same compressive strength and capacity to
support loads. Both concrete block and precast concrete are nothing
without steel reinforcements. It is a major factor that provides tensile
strength. However, though they can both carry the same mass, the
 precast concrete wall has more interlocking cement paste that holds the
wall together and resist the cracking force in comparison to the concrete
block which depends mainly on the mortar filling the gaps between each
block.
 REINFORCING BLOCKS
Both concrete block and precast would not be strong enough to hold
pressure and load if they are not reinforced with steel bars. These steel
bars are inserted through the hollows and sealed by cement into the
openings. This provides more resistance to earthquakes and storms. A
reinforced block is a key for a stronger and better house construction.
 PRECAST ARE FASTER TO INSTALL
When it comes to house construction process, one of the deciding factor is
the time. As we all know, a traditional concrete block is laid as an
individual components and may take months to finish building. In
comparison, a precast concrete can be installed as a single large unit
which makes the job easier and faster. Also, precast concrete only
requires less on-site labor as it is being help by machines and heavy
equipment during the installation process. Less time will save you money
and thus, accelerate the project faster than a traditional form of
construction.

Source: http://homelockers.com.ph/blog/precast-vs-hollow-blocks-better/

Comparative Analysis for Precast Panels and CHB

Analysis CHB PRECAST PANELS

Manpower More Manpower hours LESS MAN POWER –

needed and target date Target date can be
cannot be finished on accomplished on time
time due to
rectifications of
 finishing

Material Waste 20% to 30% material No wastage of

losses due to breakage materials due to zero
of CHB breakage due to rebars
of precast

Procurement Materials should be One time procurement

monitored and
procured almost weekly

Water,Electricity More manpower and MINIMAL use of water

Consumption operation time will and electricity
consume more water
and electricity

Operation Needs more operation LESS OPERATION

time for clearing area,
ZERO SITE DEBRIS
installation and
CLEARING
removal of scaffoldings
and other rectifications

External Works More external Lesser external works

plastering which can
delay the time frame of
project

Environmental NONE Green Precast/30%-50%

LESS GHG EMISSION

TIMELINE
By the finish of this study, we will have learn the difference between Precast
Panels and Concrete Hollow Blocks.
  Benefits or Anticipated Outcomes
1. Superior strength and Durability

 Strength gradually increases overtime

 Exterior cladding panels can be easily designed adapt to structural
building loads and does not need other structural component
 Does not deteriorate

2. Safety and Protection

 Precast concrete provides excellent protection against impacts from

explosions, vehicles and projectiles

3. Ease of installation

 Readily available for transport since manufactured in advance

 Minimal manpower needed during installation because of
embedded connections hardware
 Precast projects are cost-efficient

4. Consistent Quality

 Produced in a controlled environment resulting to high quality

and uniformity
 Weather cannot delay production

5. Environment-Friendly

 Sunlight will not cause degradation of product

 Non-toxic, safe and made up of natural materials
 Suited for all types of weather conditions

6 Modularity
  Can be adapted to suit any building size

7. Efficiency

 Minimal manpower
 Time efficient
 Total flexibility

Precast panels will use as alternative material for CHB (Concrete Hollow Blocks).
It can use for walls, low walls, and partition walls. It is quite cheaper compare to
concrete hollow blocks also pre cast panels are easy to install because it will be
fabricated in concrete factory before it is delivered to construction site. Also in its
fabrication, it will make sure that the strength and durability will meet the
standard measure.

Support Needed / Costs

Table 2: Cost comparison between CHB and precast suspended floor slabs.

Ite Some selected public Cost comparison between cast-in-place and

m projects precast suspended floor slabs

CHB Precast Differenc Percentag

Gh ¢  Panels e Gh ¢  e change
Gh ¢  (%)

1 Construction of 8-unit 129,200.0 102,068.0 27,132.00 21.00

staff bungalow for ST. 0 0
Joseph College of
Education

2 Construction of 2- 134,902.0 114,666.7 20,235.3 15.00

storey administration 0 0
block for Mampong
Technical College of
 Education

3 Construction of 8-unit 125,920.0 113,579.8 21,340.16 9.80

staff bungalow and 2 0 4
No. 12-seater WC
toilet facility for
Berekum College of
Education

4 Construction of 217,730.0 188,336.4 29,393.55 13.50

auditorium block for 0 5
ST. Monica’s College
of Education,
Mampong

5 Construction of 3- 85,922 69,407.79 16,514.21 19.22

storey classroom block
for Tanoso Community
Health Nurses
Training School

6 Completion of 3 storey 49,432.90 7,414.94 42,017.00 15.00

administration block
for Asunafo South
District Assembly

7 Construction of new 125,500.0 98,517.50 26,982.50 21.50

administration block 0
for CSIR-BRRI

8 Construction of 2- 51,292.43 34,878.85 16,413.58 32.00

storey dormitory block
for Effiduase
Secondary/Commercia
l School

9 Construction of 3- 124,801.0 97,344.75 27,456.22 33.00

 storey 12-unit flat for 0
Effiduase
Secondary/Commercia
l School

10 Construction of the 64,878.26 53,400.00 11,478.26 17.70

extension of head
office block for
Minerals Commission,
Accra, Ghana

11 Construction of 27,965.18 18,736.67 9,228.51 29.66

auditorium for Sunyani
Polytechnic

12 Construction of 18-unit 75,185.51 52,629.86 22,555.65 30.00

3-storey model school
for Ejisu-Juaben
District

13 Construction of new 22,224.60 15,334.97 6,889.63 35.14

assembly hall for
Effiduase
Secondary/Commercia
l School

This table shows the cost between CHB and PRECAST PANELS. On the far left
are the sample projects made.

Source: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jcen/2016/8785129/tab2/
Contact Information

You may contact us at our company number:

22-2222

Or you may call our Project Managers:

Jn Yryve Embuscada / 09507679360

Jalal Mira-ato / 09214289311

Gira Villarta / 09213423350