Nowadays, the construction industry is growing more and more with

new technics. Various researches and development programs are held by

researcher and national association to find economic and time-saving
technics for construction. Precast concrete is one of them. Do you know
precast concrete?
Precast concrete is the new construction technic that makes construction
speedy and economical on the large construction projects. It has many
advantages over the cast-in-situ concrete method for construction. Cast-
in-situ concrete is the easy and conventional method that we have been
seeing for past decades.Precast & cast-in-situ concrete are the product
produced by casting concrete in a mould or formwork cured to get the
strength of RCC elements. The precast concrete  is transported to the
construction site, lifted and positioned at the predetermined place. The
cast-in-situ concrete is a standard concrete which is poured into the
specific formwork on the site and cured to get the strength of RCC
elements.
Here, we will discuss the differences between the precast & cast-in-situ
concrete.

02. Casting
Precast Concrete
 In the precast concrete, elements are manufactured in a controlled
casting environment and hence it is easier to control mix, placement
and curing.
 Elements can be cast in advance and held until the hour you need
them, thereby saves time.
 Weather condition has no effect on casting work.
 Precast Concrete Elements

Cast-in-situ Concrete
 In the cast-in-situ concrete, column, slab etc. elements are casted on
site in the open environment and hence it is difficult to control mix,
placement and curing.
 Elements cannot be casted in advance.
 Weather condition can delay the casting work.
 Cast-in-situ Concrete Construction of Slab

03. Quality Control

Precast Concrete
 Quality can be controlled and maintained easily.
Cast-in-situ Concrete
 Quality control and maintenance is difficult.

04. Cost
Precast Concrete
 Precast concrete is cheaper form of construction if large structures
are to be constructed.
 Maintenance cost of precast concrete structure is higher.
Cast-in-situ Concrete
 In situ concrete is cheaper form of construction for small structures.
 Maintenance cost of cast-in-situ concrete structure is less compared
to the precast concrete structure.
05. Requirement of Worker &
Machinery
Precast Concrete
 Less labours are required.
 Skilled labours are required at construction site.
 Skilled and technical contractor is required for construction of the
precast concrete structure.
 Precast concrete requires heavy machinery and cranes for handling
i.e. lifting and installation of heavy elements

Cast-in-situ Concrete
 More labours are required.
 Skilled labours are required at construction site.
 Local contractors can also build the structure.
 Cast-in-situ concrete does not require such handling equipment.

06. Strength
Precast Concrete
  Precast concrete construction is quick as it can be installed
immediately and there is no waiting for it to gain strength.
 Increase in strength can be achieved by accelerated curing.
 On site strength test is not required.
 High strength concrete can be used because it is in controlled
condition.
Cast-in-situ Concrete
 In situ concrete construction is slow as gaining of strength requires
time.
 Increase in strength at situ by accelerated curing is a difficult task.
 On site strength test is required.
 It will difficult to use high strength concrete as it depends on site
condition and resources available.

07. Time of Construction

Precast Concrete
 Total construction time is less as compared to cast-in-situ.
 Speedy construction is possible.
Cast-in-situ Concrete
 Total construction time is more as compared to precast.
 Speed is less as elements are casted at site.

08. Technical Points

Precast Concrete
 Large number of joints in structural system.
 Less resistant to Earthquake and wind forces not recommended
where seismic loads are dominant.
 In precast concrete construction, details at the joint become very
critical and needs careful attention.
 The elements have to be designed for handling stress or loads during
handling, which may or may not increase steel.
 Elements of varying lengths and shape can be developed.
 Precast concrete does not offer a monolithic architectural character.
Cast-in-situ Concrete
 Less number of joints present in structural system.
 More resistant to earthquake and wind forces.
 Elements cannot be casted in advance.
 Elements are not to be designed for any such loads or stress.
 There is constraint in length and shape of element.
 In situ concrete offers a monolithic architectural character.

09. Surface Finishing

Precast Concrete
 According to ‘Bulletin of American Concrete Institute‘ (1993), precast
concrete gives smooth interior finish hence they need minimum
preparation before paint, wallpaper etc. or the other wall coverings
can be applied directly.
Cast-in-situ Concrete
 In the cast-in-situ concrete construction, you have to do plaster for
the smooth finish and also requires pre-preparation for a paint
like wall putty etc.

10. Points to Be Taken Care of

Precast Concrete
 One has to meticulous during work with precast concrete because the
precast unit can be damaged during transportation and handling.
Cast-in-situ Concrete
 In the cast-in-situ concrete construction, be careful about following
points:
01. During the concreting process like mixing, transportation, placing,
finishing etc.
02. Curing of concrete  for certain time etc.