Functional Description

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Precast Concrete Panels are cast and cured in a factory, which guarantees quality and consistency.  They are then brought to the jobsite and are installed via crane.  A typical panelized foundation can be installed within a few hours.  Concrete panels can be designed with a strength of 5,000 psi and are typically used only in the commercial industry. Precast concrete panels can come in a variety of finishes, colors, and textures, which benefits the user.

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Stakeholder Overview

Designer/Manufacturer:

• Material is versatile and can be made into various sizes
• Panels are made in a factory, which means weather delays are avoided

Distributor:

• Panels are distributed to worksite efficiently using trucks

Contractor/Builder:

• Extremely easy and quick to install
• Saves time on the jobsite
• Reduced labor costs

Owner/Users:

• Low maintenance
• Energy efficient
• Durable (tornado/hurricane damage resistant)
• Fire and termite resistant
• Can be aesthetically pleasing

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Product Range

Precast Concrete Wall Panels come with mostly common generic options depending on your local manufacturer. Due to highway loads and shipping costs most firms opt for the closest precast manufacturer.

Reinforcement Material Options:

• ASTM A615 Reinforcing Bars
• Steel Wire
• Welded Wire Mesh

Pre-stressing Options:

• Uncoated ASTM A416 7 wire stress relieved strands
• Larger versions of the above pre-stressing strands available for up to a 15% increase in strength

Mixture Options:

• Various concrete mixtures are available
• Air entraining admixtures available
• Water reducing Admixtures available

Connection Options:

• Steel Plate Embeds
• Steel shapes and angles
• Anchor Bolts
• High strength threaded fasteners
• Accessories: Clips, hangers, etc...

Fabrication Options:

• Built in anchorages
• Cast-in holes
• Pre-tensioning of tendons
• Curing by low-pressure steam
• delay of detention of pre-stressed units
• Concrete finishes

http://www.mapaprecast.org/precast-wall.asp

http://www.tindallcorp.com/wallpanels/WP%20Specs.pdf

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Scope of Systems to Achieve Functional Equivalence

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Major Manufacturers

1) The Shockey Precast Group, Winchester Va

click here to visit Shockey's website

2) Tindall Corp

click here to visit Tindall's website

3) Metromont Corporation

click here to visit Metromont's website

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Linkages to Other Systems

Many other systems within buildings and homes are affected by the performance of precast concrete panels:

• The insulation resides inside the precast walls, which is often installed in the factory.  This means that the insulation, or drywall does not need to be installed on site, saving time.  If the panels don't protect the insulation, the conditions inside the house can be affected.
• Of all the systems that help a building function, electrical systems are affected the most by these precast panels.  Since the panels arrive from the factory with electrical boxes and conduit, the connections are required to be made after the panels are raised.
• Although dead and live loads are not distributed to the precast panels for structural support, the panels do provide lateral load resistance for the building.
• The door and window systems, which are installed on site into the openings in the panels.  Because precast concrete is shipped from the factory, measurements must be precise to ensure the proper fit for windows and doors.
• Heating and cooling systems are affected by how well the precast panels are able to keep these conditions inside the house, just as they keep weather conditions outside the house.  Any failure with the panels can cause conditions unfavorable to the people inside. 

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Application Environments

Pre-cast concrete panels are already used in commercial applications, but have recently started to be used in residential construction as well.  The production of residential pre-cast concrete panels is in its infancy, so finding panels close to the build site is the trickiest part of using them.  Being on the higher end of the price range, most residential job budgets do not allow for pre-cast panels.

Being that the panels are cast in a different location as the job, this allows for the panels to be cast and cured in ideal conditions for concrete.  This means that you can erect a building in any climate that would normally not be suitable for curing concrete.  In essence pre-cast concrete panels are great for all climates and conditions.  

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