Trade Journals for the Concrete Industry

In the search for cost-efficient constructions, precasting offers the opportunity to assign further functions to structural components from the very beginning. These components, and the structures erected with them, accordingly offer capabilities in addition to their loadbearing function. These include complete climate control by using cold and warm surfaces, utilization of heat-storage units for optimal energy management, ventilation ducts built into cross-sections, utility lines for electricity and control of the newly added functions – and much more. Such integration, however, also requires the implementation of new concepts for controlling the newly added functions to provide users with a feel-good room climate, and to afford them a maximum of flexibility for their use. The components integrated into the loadbearing components – in connection with coordinated control systems – result in innovative, intelligent constructions. Analogies to structural systems found in nature are obvious and serve as models for simple implementation and handling. These technologies are requisite for providing energy-efficient buildings with a high degree of comfort. Precasting opens completely new opportunities for traditional concrete construction methods.