Control in Precast Operations: Importance of Inter Departmental Co-ordination

Control in Precast Operations

Kapilesh Bhate, Planning and Control, Precast Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd., India
Our industry is generally termed only as "Pre-Cast" Industry. The essence of this paper is to give importance to the additional "Pre" to Precast – "Pre-Engineered Pre-Cast".

Pre-Casting is simple. Pre-Engineering is not only challenging, but also missing in many cases. In such cases, the simplicity of Pre-Casting is not leveraged and leads to a lot of "Pre-Cast Post-Engineering" Co-ordination between Deptts. and in some cases, even Organisations.

Pre-engineering means, frozen architectural Drawings, design, element IDs, element geometry, reinforcement and strand details, concrete specifications, connection details, MEP Details incorporated with the layouts of each floor, and thereafter, referencing their effects in Production Dwgs.

The last step in Pre-Engineering thus, remains scheduling the elements to their respective moulds, stockyard, trailers and installation by assigning particular dates for each stage.

Introduction

This paper is not prepared based on any large sample space and research conducted in Precasting Companies of the world, but is prepared from basic first principles, presuming an ideal process and studying probable deviations from it.

In Pre-Engineering, we already ‘construct' the elements of the building once, before-hand, albeit on paper and only then, proceed to Precasting the elements physically.

Thus, Pre-Casting is nothing but, constructing physically, in concrete, the already constructed building on paper.

There can be two cases in which a Project can be dealt with:

MetaCase 1: Pre-Engineering -> Pre-casting

MetaCase 2: Pre-casting -> Post-Engineering

The moment, this Meta-sequence is changed from MetaCase 1 to 2, then the issues start arising one after the other, as everything is anyways ‘connected' to each other. Nothing goes un-detected in Precast Projects as the ultimate fitment test always happens on site.

Once Pre-Engineering is frozen, (as in advanced countries like Japan, to name just one) then starts the actual process of Operations. It starts right from establishing one TBM on site to the dry/wet connection of the last element of the last floor of the last Installation Part and everything in between. Missing the Actual Footing center by 50mm – means dealing with the issue till the last level, as everything is already Pre-Casted as per the Pre-Engineered Dwgs (assuming the Product is also actually as per the Production Dwg)

Terminology and common baselines of language and reference are also very important for all the Operations to function smoothly. This needs to be set in the Pre-Engineering Stage – Nomenclature and Identification of Precast Elements, Installation Parts. So is the identification of the Project Team, establishment of Communication Protocol. This paper will in brief, study the roles and interactions of the above mentioned Depts with each other. In case any of the above activities are not done in-house, then, briefly, we will touch the organisations involved such as Architect, PMC, Client's Structural Consultant, Subcontractor for Installation, Transportation, etc.

This paper is written from point of view of the Precaster.
This is a premium article available exclusively for our subscribers.
If you are already a subscriber, please Login
If not, subscribe now and get access to well researched articles & reports on infrastructure construction, equipment & machinery, innovations & technology, project reports, case studies, and more. All this by simply paying just ₹200/- for a month of complete portal access, or a discounted rate of ₹1000/- for a full year of access.
NBM&CW June 2016

No comments yet, Be the first one to comment on this.

Elematic: Transforming Construction using Precast Technology

Elematic: Transforming Construction using Precast Technology

Elematic, a global leader in precast concrete technology, showcased its cutting-edge precast solutions at bauma Munich 2025 and revealed how their latest innovations can accelerate construction by up to 50%, enhance cost competitiveness, and support the journey toward net zero.

Read more ...

Al Rashid Abetong Co. & Progress Group: Automating Precast Concrete Production

Al Rashid Abetong Co. & Progress Group: Automating Precast Concrete Production

Precast concrete manufacturer Al Rashid Abetong Co.’s strategic partnership with the Progress Group, a leader in automated machinery for the precast industry, has brought numerous benefits to the company.

Read more ...

Dextra's Groutec Precast Couplers for Faster Modern Precast Construction

Dextra's Groutec Precast Couplers for Faster Modern Precast Construction

By leveraging the benefits of Dextra’s Groutec Precast Couplers, construction companies can achieve faster, more reliable, and sustainable building solutions, paving the way for the future of the construction industry, avers, Bhargav Jog

Read more ...

The Power of Accelerated Concrete Curing: Curetec

The Power of Accelerated Concrete Curing: Curetec

André Dienst, Managing Director, Curetec Shanghai, discusses the vital role of Accelerated Concrete Curing and how the transformative technology can be harnessed to empower builders at construction sites across India.

Read more ...

AJAX Engineering: Revolutionizing Construction with Sustainable 3D Concrete Printing

AJAX Engineering: Revolutionizing Construction with Sustainable 3D Concrete Printing

We’re revolutionizing the construction industry with 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP). This technology reduces material waste, lowers labor costs, and speeds up project timelines while enhancing design flexibility. Our focus is on pushing

Read more ...

Curetec: Driving Innovations in Concrete Curing Technologies

Curetec: Driving Innovations in Concrete Curing Technologies

As infrastructure projects scale up globally, the demand for high-quality and durable concrete components is rising. Our innovations, such as precision-controlled curing chambers and adaptive curing technologies, position us to support

Read more ...

Putzmeister, SCHWENK & Rupp Complete Their 1st Mobile 3D-Printed House

Putzmeister, SCHWENK & Rupp Complete Their 1st Mobile 3D-Printed House

Putzmeister, SCHWENK, and Rupp complete their first joint building project - a house from a mobile 3D printer, a significant step forward for the construction industry and a powerful signal toward digitalization and sustainability.

Read more ...

Curetec's Concrete Curing System: Faster production times & Energy savings

Curetec's Concrete Curing System: Faster production times & Energy savings

Curetec continues to push the boundaries of energy-efficient technologies, with its advanced energy-saving Concrete Curing System, providing faster production times, and ensuring superior concrete quality.

Read more ...

Prefabrication for Affordable Housing Projects: Trimble Solutions

Prefabrication for Affordable Housing Projects: Trimble Solutions

Harsh Pareek, Regional Sales Director, India and SAARC, Trimble Solutions, highlights the transformative potential of prefabrication in the affordable housing sector, paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future in construction.

Read more ...

Concrete 3D Printing Technology: Potential & Problems

Concrete 3D Printing Technology: Potential & Problems

A. V. Rahul, Assistant Professor & Divya S. Kurup, Research Scholar, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, IIT Tirupati, discuss the progress being made in 3D Concrete Printing, applications worldwide, and the ongoing

Read more ...

Innovative Construction Technologies for PMAY-U Light House Projects

Innovative Construction Technologies for PMAY-U Light House Projects

Urban India is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U), which aims to provide housing for all. To meet this ambitious goal, it's crucial to shift from traditional

Read more ...

3D Concrete Printing: A Look at Challenges & Future of Construction

3D Concrete Printing: A Look at Challenges & Future of Construction

Construction industry is the economic backbone of a country. The productivity of the projects in the construction industry is significantly influenced by formwork systems that consume huge project resources such as time, cost, material and

Read more ...

Boosting Precast Construction with Augmented Reality

Boosting Precast Construction with Augmented Reality

Blending virtual information with the real-world view, AR has become an effective tool in construction management to improve project planning, execution, and delivery. Bhavin Lakhani, Project Controls Specialist Lead, PMP, and CCM

Read more ...

3DXB Group Sets Guinness World Record for Largest 3D-Printed Villa in Dubai

3DXB Group Sets Guinness World Record for Largest 3D-Printed Villa in Dubai

3DXB Group, a leading innovator in 3D printing solutions for the construction industry, unveiled its achievement in making the world’s largest 3D-printed villa in Dubai. This groundbreaking project signifies a pivotal moment in the UAE

Read more ...

Rapidcast Boundary Walls: Best Quality Concrete Precast Textured Walls

Rapidcast Boundary Walls: Best Quality Concrete Precast Textured Walls

Rapidcast LLP brings to you for the first time in India the best quality concrete precast elements such as RCC precast compound walls and RRC precast stormwater UDrains. The new generation Rapidcast boundary wall/fence is a high quality precast

Read more ...

Elematic's Large Precast Concrete Plant for My Home GRAVA Project

Elematic's Large Precast Concrete Plant for My Home GRAVA Project

Hyderabad is witnessing the construction of Asia's tallest towers with a planned built-up area totalling 3.7 million sqm. The two 180-meter towers, each comprising 43 storeys, will be accompanied by six more similar towers. With each tower

Read more ...

Benefits of Shear Keyed Surfaces in Precast Building

Benefits of Shear Keyed Surfaces in Precast Building

Depending on the finish of the concrete surface, different coefficients are assigned by international codes in the calculation of shear resistance. The American Concrete Institute Code ACI318, Nov.19, states the following: Chapter 16.2.1.1 – Transfer of forces by

Read more ...

Revolutionizing Precast Industry with Advanced Tracking of Precast Concrete Elements

Revolutionizing Precast Industry with Advanced Tracking of Precast Concrete Elements

The precast concrete industry is undergoing a transformative change with innovative software solutions that offer enhanced tracking of precast concrete elements. One of these pioneering software solutions is StruSoft’s Impact Precast, which aims

Read more ...

Emerging Trends & Growth of the Prefab Industry

Emerging Trends & Growth of the Prefab Industry

Prefabricated technologies are becoming increasingly popular in the construction industry, particularly for large-scale construction. As prefabricated structures continue to evolve and improve, they are being used to construct warehouses, factories

Read more ...

To get latest updates on whatsapp, Save +91 93545 87773 and send us a 'Saved' message
Click Here to Subscribe to Our eNewsletter.