Status of Precast Concrete Technology in India 2020

Introduction

Precast concrete technology is very popular in housing, factories and in infrastructure projects. In the early 70s, the precast concrete technology was first initiated through premier national laboratories of India to support the government programs. Freyssinet’s invention in 1928 had changed concrete technology into a popular prestressed concrete technology. Prior to this invention concrete was not such a popular construction material due to its low tensile strength. By 1940s prestressed concrete could become the best alternate construction material having high compressive strength with isotropic material properties. Use of high strength steel, improvement in durability, gain in high early compressive strength in concrete, etc., have helped the precast industries in developing many innovative building products in particular for long span and large dimensional category. Precast hollow-core slabs, long span T-beams, planks, roof shells, etc., have popularised precast building construction. L&T- construction under the guidance and pioneering initiatives of Dr. A Ramakrishna had carried out significant precast concrete technology developmental works in buildings, industrial factories, bridges, stadium structures, etc, for several years. ICI Handbook details many such building innovative projects built in India in the last several years. So technology adaptation and execution exist but total building precast concrete works are very scanty in India.

Why to go for building construction with precast ?

There are many benefits over conventional construction. The elegant benefits are high speed, good quality and neat construction with less wastage. Today the precast concrete industry is highly customer focussed. Many innovative technologies have been adopted and practiced in the industry. Thermal, acoustic, seismic resistant technologies and beautiful pleasing architectural precast facades to the building are already available and practiced in many countries. Precast technology can be more popularised in the Indian construction industry with such innovative products and construction method.