ELEMATIC

1. How has technological advancement in constructing precast products evolved and how has the construction industry evolved with it?
Precast concrete manufacturing products are developed taking modern building requirements in consideration in order to optimize quality, cost efficiency and usage of end products. For example use of hollow core slabs enables long floor span in buildings and industrially produced insulated façade panels are saving energy during the whole life cycle of the building.

Various possibilities using modern versatile precast concrete products give architects and designers more freedom for innovative design and sustainable building solutions. Façade panels can have various shapes and design ready made in the factory.

2. As per your interaction with construction industry, how is precast technology helped the developers in project delivery?
Use of precast concrete makes building much faster. The developers get faster return of investment as the project deliveries are about twice as fast as using conventional methods. The building quality is also superior than other ways of building as all precast concrete products are processed and produced in an industrial environment. With a good design you will also be able to save money. Building using precast concrete is environmentally friendly and minimizes the need for stockyards at site.

3. Precast products have a list of benefits to their credit. What are the challenges faced in a large scale construction projects involving this new construction method?
Designers and architects are familiar to designing buildings using in-situ casting or steel structures and they are often unaware of benefits using precast concrete.

However using precast concrete in large scale production is typically very beneficial provided that the use of precast concrete has been taken into consideration during the design phase of the construction project.

A good and thorough design will enable fast production, optimize cost efficiency and provide best possible quality of buildings. It is advisable to design projects using BIM software. The 3D building models are fed straight into the precast plant’s Eliplan ERP software for production, cost management, detail drawings and logistics.

4. What are the changes imbibed at the designing level to incorporate precast products?
It is important for designers to know the features of precast concrete products. For example use of hollow core slabs in flooring enables designers to consider a longer floor span. It is possible to design the exterior walls as load bearing structures instead of using columns and beams. Also columns can be taller and beams can have a longer span if they are pre-manufactured in a precast factory.

5. How is 3D printing in construction being perceived? Can it be the next big thing in coming few years for the construction industry?
It seems that 3D printing is developing and the method may in to some extent also be used in construction. Some initial testing of 3D printing has been done but it will take time before the method is possible to implement in real projects. The conditions and terrain at building sites are usually quite difficult. The most probable use of 3D printing in construction may include mold manufacturing or part manufacturing in a factory environment where the conditions are optimal. But we are of course following the development.

6. What are your expectations from the summit and how do you rate the topics of the discussion at the summit?
I am looking forward to meeting and discussing with the participants. The topics are relevant and they form an interesting platform for the summit.