As a manufactured product, does precast concrete have the capability to withstand natural disasters better than in-situ concrete? Here we’ll tell you all you need to know.
When working in any form of construction, you want to be certain the product you choose – be it natural or man-made – will be durable under the required conditions. But can precast concrete – as durable as it is – withstand severe weather or natural disasters? In this article, you’ll find out.
Can Precast Concrete Withstand Natural Disasters?
One of the biggest benefits of precast concrete is the fact that it is impervious to severe weather, and high winds. It is also resistant to other natural disasters such as floods or fire.
This makes it the ideal building solution when constructing in disaster prone areas, not only in Queensland, but throughout Australia and beyond.
What Other Types of Weather Events Can Precast Concrete Endure?
Precast concrete (especially that made with Specialty Precast and our team of professionals) has been known to endure all kinds of different weather events. This includes:
– high winds and cyclonic conditions
– fire
– flood
What Sort of Fire Resistance Do Precast Concrete Walls or Panels Have?
Precast concrete walls or panels are particularly good for fire resistance due to their thickness of 170mm. This gives it a 4 hour fire resistance (AS 3600 – 2001 Section 5 design for fire resistance). It is presumably for this reason that precast concrete walls and panels are a good option for those building in rural or fire-prone areas.
Is Precast Concrete Watertight?
Despite its porous nature, precast concrete is watertight. This means it is resistant to water. In fact, research suggests that it will take over 40, 000 years for water to penetrate 6 inch thick precast concrete.
While this doesn’t exactly make it completely resistant to damage during floods, it is much preferred over poured concrete. Remember that, after any natural disaster of this type, you should always check your concrete product for flaws and, where possible, have them repaired or replaced as soon as you can.
So it is Possible to Damage Precast Concrete in Natural Disasters.
Yes, precast concrete is resistant to damage in natural disasters, however it’s not completely infallible. You may experience some damage to precast concrete if a natural disaster occurs. It all comes down to how bad the natural disaster was.
But, the fact of the matter is that, if you’re weighing up your options between poured/in-situ concrete and that of precast concrete, products like those made at Specialty Precast are always more likely to withstand adverse weather conditions or natural disasters.
When to Contact Specialty Precast
If your precast concrete walls have been through a natural disaster, or you simply want to find out more about the benefits of choosing precast concrete in such circumstances, contact the team at Specialty Precast.
We are always working hard to make sure our products are some of the best in the business, and it’s this commitment to excellence that has earnt us a reputation you can rely on over the last forty years or so.
For precast concrete that will keep you safe in natural disasters, contact us today.
