Construction Chemicals have Tectonic Role in Precast Performance

Admixtures have a vital role to play in the better quality performance of precast concrete. Mr. Sunny Surlaker, Head of Admixture Division with MC-Bauchemie India Private Limited in an interview with Built Constructions says that Self Compacting Concrete Admixtures, mineral admixtures, shrinkage reducing and permeability reducing admixtures have a major role to play in making precast concrete better.

Over the years pre-cast concrete construction has evolved as an alternative to in-situ concrete to speed up construction times, and achieve better quality in terms of finish and durability. Precast Concrete Units offer this advantage by virtue of being factory finished. A production process ensures excellent finish, dimensional tolerances, required strength, adequate quality controls and consistency.

Precast concrete designs have evolved, and so have the materials being used. Formwork technology has developed by leaps and bounds. With these advents, precast unit manufacturing literally knows no limitations. Precast elements can literally be tailor-made to specifications, to meet project requirements. From the precast manufacturer's perspective, the requirements above make it imperative that units produced are of consistently high quality. For a manufacturer, targets on optical finish, sharp unbroken edges, compressive and flexural strengths and durability must be met. At the same time, the primary aim for every manufacturer is the achievement of high early strength to allow early stripping times or shorter cycle times to ensure financial viability.

For the precast manufacturer, a fusion of meeting the requirements above and securing cost benefits can only be achieved using Construction Chemicals. Though cement is the best construction material available it has inherent shrinkage and cracking mechanisms, which lowers the life cycle of construction / structures. All in all durability can be achieved by improving the quality of concrete as well as protecting concrete from deterioration mechanism due to chemical, physical, thermal and environmental attacks. Concrete Admixtures apart, construction chemicals offer a lot of technology to address these deteriorative mechanisms for precast construction.

Construction Chemicals have also evolved in terms of providing more specific solutions for the precast industry right from production of units to installation. This makes precast construction faster, more durable and financially viable to both producers as well as end-users. With the latest technologies, we can offer the aesthetics and the durability to precast construction.

Admixtures in Precast Concrete

As construction chemical manufacturer's we do not have direct expertise in designing and detailing precast building structures, however we do have solutions to aid the construction practice. The latest generation concrete admixtures help to improve flowability of concrete, without increasing its viscosity too much. Self Compacting Concrete Admixtures, mineral admixtures, shrinkage reducing and permeability reducing admixtures all help to make precast concrete better. Using these concrete can be placed in the most complicated of forms, with dense reinforcement, which gives engineers a lot of latitude, with structural designs.

Better curing, stronger joints (with engineered microconcrete), flawless finish (with concrete cosmetics), better durability (with curing compounds and waterproof impregations) can transform the way we design, place and construct precast / prefabricated buildings. These factors can positively affect the design, detailing and fabrication of precast structures.

Precast Benefits

Precast concrete in general have the following advantages over conventional structures:

Mr. Sunny Surlakar Head of Admixture Division with MC-Bauchemie India Pvt Ltd	Excellent Surface Finish Quality Excellent Aesthetics for different structures Fast Construction times Higher resistance to seismic forces due to low weight flexible frames Lower dead loads due to slimmer elements (walls, columns, etc.) Factory like quality control Lower initial cost of prefabricated buildings Lower Design costs
Simple foundation, easy to construct and light weight of structures Element may be designed for longer spans (in excess of 20-30 metres)

MC-Bauchemie's Range of Solutions

For over 40 years internationally and over 25 years in India, MC-Bauchemie has been a trusted partner of the pre-cast concrete industry. MC's products, services and solutions are a broad spectrum of well-matched products and systems that enable the optimal production of pre-cast concrete. Depending on the units produced, and their eventual use, a great many demands are made on pre-cast concrete: early and ultimate strengths, durability and aesthetics being the most important. We have the expertise to deliver.

A particular challenge in the precast concrete industry is the production of consistently high quality units. In this respect a flawless surface finish and sharp edges are of prime importance. In addition the specifications, with regard to strength and durability, must be met. Only a perfectly matched combination of admixtures, additives, finishing aids and casting techniques is able to produce the desired results. We offer a comprehensive range of products for the precast industry.

Our range of solutions for the precast industry include, Concrete hyperplasticizers, mould-release agents and curing compounds, rheology modifying agents and compacting aids, viscosity modifying agents for scc, grouts and microconcretes for precast connections, concrete cosmetics, grouting additives and waterproof impregnations for durability enhancement of precast concrete elements.

'Sustainability through Durability'

would also mean lower life-cycle costs, reduced energy costs, reduced maintenance and of course benefits for the precast manufacturers as well. Correct usage of construction chemicals would be vital in all areas of precast construction to enhance benefits. We believe in the mantra “Sustainability through Durability”. Therefore, it is imperative that Construction Chemicals be a vital component of improving precast production to promote sustainable constructionConstruction chemicals significantly broaden the range of possibilities of precast production to achieve different aims such as acid resistance (for pipes), improved durability, surface finish, faster cycle times in production and adding robustness to the concrete in terms of production. Using more durable precast elements for construction,