Q] Explain advantages and disadvantages of the precast construction system?

Precast construction is a type of construction system that involves manufacturing and transporting precast
concrete components to the construction site, where they are then assembled to form the final structure. There
are several advantages and disadvantages to using precast construction, and I'll explain some of the main
ones below.
● Advantages of Precast Construction:
○ Speed of Construction: Precast components can be manufactured off site while site preparation work is
underway. This means that construction can proceed more quickly and efficiently, reducing the overall
construction time and labour costs.
○ Quality Control: Precast components are manufactured in controlled factory conditions, which ensures
high-quality workmanship and reduces the risk of errors or defects.
○ Durability: Precast concrete is highly resistant to weather, fire, and seismic activity, which makes it a popular
choice for building structures in areas that are prone to natural disasters.
○ Flexibility: Precast components can be easily customised to meet specific design requirements, which makes
them a popular choice for architects and designers.
● Disadvantages of Precast Construction:
○ Transportation: Precast components are heavy and bulky, which means that transportation can be expensive
and may require specialised equipment.
○ Limited Site Flexibility: Precast components are manufactured offsite and delivered to the construction site,
which means that changes or modifications to the design may be difficult or costly.
○ Cost: While precast construction can be faster and more efficient than traditional construction methods, it can
also be more expensive due to the cost of manufacturing and transporting the precast components.
○ Connection Issues: The connections between precast components may be prone to failure if they are not
designed and executed properly, which can lead to structural issues.

Q] Describe different precast concrete building components?

● Precast Beams: These are horizontal components that are used to support the weight of floors and roofs in a
building. They come in various shapes and sizes and can be customised to meet specific design requirements.
● Precast Columns: These are vertical components that provide structural support for the building. They can be
round or square in shape and can be decorated with various finishes to match the design aesthetic of the
building.
● Precast Walls: These are large, precast panels that are used to form the exterior walls of a building. They can
be made with a variety of finishes, such as exposed aggregate or textured finishes, and can be customised to
incorporate windows and doors.
● Precast Slabs: These are flat, horizontal components that are used to form the floors and roofs of a building.
They can be solid or hollow and come in various thicknesses.
● Precast Stairs: These are precast components that are used to form stairways in a building. They can be
customised to fit the specific dimensions and design requirements of the building.
● Precast Foundation Systems: These are precast components that are used to form the foundation of a
building. They can be designed to withstand various soil conditions and can be customised to fit the specific
dimensions of the building.
● REFER REPORT.

Q] Measures you would take to resist punching shear in advance floor.

● Increase the thickness of the slab: The thickness of the slab is a key factor in resisting punching shear.
Increasing the thickness of the slab around the column helps to spread the load over a larger area, reducing
the stress and preventing failure.
● Use shear reinforcement: Shear reinforcement, such as stirrups, can be added around the column to provide
additional strength and prevent punching shear. The reinforcement is placed perpendicular to the column and
extends out into the slab.
● Provide column capital or drop panels: A column capital is a thickened portion of the slab directly under the
column, which helps to distribute the load over a larger area and reduce the stress. A drop panel is a thickened
slab portion that is located around the column and provides additional stiffness and strength to the slab.
● Increase the size of the column base: The size of the column base can be increased to distribute the load over
a larger area and reduce the stress on the slab.
● Use post-tensioning: Post-tensioning can be used to increase the strength of the slab and improve its
resistance to punching shear. The post-tensioning cables are placed in a grid pattern in the slab and are
anchored to the columns, providing additional support.
● Proper detailing and construction: Proper detailing and construction of the reinforcement, connections, and
formwork can help to prevent construction errors that may result in inadequate shear resistance

Q] Explain structural use of stiffening beam in one way ribbed floor

● In a one-way ribbed floor system, a stiffening beam is a reinforced concrete beam that runs perpendicular to
the ribs in the slab.
● The main structural use of a stiffening beam is to increase the overall stiffness and strength of the floor
system.
● The ribs in a one-way ribbed floor system are designed to provide the primary support for the slab, but they
may not be able to fully resist the bending forces caused by the loads applied to the floor.
● A stiffening beam helps to distribute these bending forces more evenly across the floor system, reducing the
risk of cracking or failure.
● Stiffening beams also provide additional support for the columns or walls that rest on the floor system. By
increasing the stiffness and strength of the floor system, stiffening beams help to ensure that the columns or
walls are properly supported and can withstand the loads applied to them.
● Another important structural use of stiffening beams is to provide a means of distributing concentrated loads,
such as those caused by heavy equipment or machinery, across the floor system. Without a stiffening beam,
these concentrated loads can cause localised cracking or failure in the ribs of the slab.

Q] Flat slab with drop panel and capital

● A flat slab with drop panel and capital is a modified version of the traditional flat slab with drop panel system.
● This modified system incorporates an additional element, known as a capital, which is a thickening of the
column at the point where it meets the slab.
● The capital is typically square or rectangular in shape and is designed to increase the load-carrying capacity of
the column at the point where it meets the slab.
● The capital also serves to transfer the load from the slab to the column more efficiently, which helps to reduce
the amount of reinforcement required in the slab.

Q] Explain flat slab with drop panel

● The flat slab with drop panel system consists of a flat reinforced concrete slab supported directly on columns
without the use of beams.
● The flat slab itself is typically designed to be relatively thin, with a thickness of around 200 to 300 millimetres
(8 to 12 inches), which helps to reduce the overall height of the building and increase the floor-to-ceiling height.
● The drop panel, which is a thicker section of concrete, is located at the columns where the slab meets the
column.
● The drop panel serves to increase the strength and stiffness of the slab at the point of maximum stress, which
is typically at the column.

Q] Terracotta unit in hollow slab.

● A hollow slab is a precast concrete unit that has a series of voids or hollow spaces in the center. These voids
reduce the weight of the slab and make it easier to handle during construction. When used in conjunction with
terracotta units, the voids in the hollow slab can be used to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing
ceiling system.
● The terracotta units are placed on top of the hollow slabs, with the voids in the slab acting as channels for
mechanical and electrical services. This creates a concealed ceiling system that is functional, efficient, and
visually attractive. The terracotta units are available in various shapes and sizes, allowing for a wide range of
design possibilities.
● In addition to their aesthetic appeal, terracotta units offer several advantages. They are fire-resistant, durable,
and have excellent thermal and acoustic properties. They can also be manufactured in an environmentally
friendly way, using natural materials and energy-efficient production methods.
Q] Castone floor unit in hollow slab.
● Cast stone units are a type of architectural precast concrete product that are made to simulate the appearance
and texture of natural stone.
● They are commonly used in building facades, columns, and other decorative elements. When used in
conjunction with hollow slabs, they can create a unique and functional structural system.
● A hollow slab is a precast concrete unit that has a series of voids or hollow spaces in the centre.
● These voids reduce the weight of the slab and make it easier to handle during construction. When used in
combination with cast stone units, the voids in the hollow slab can be used to create a functional and
aesthetically pleasing ceiling system.
● The cast stone units are placed on top of the hollow slabs, with the voids in the slab acting as channels for
mechanical and electrical services.
● This creates a concealed ceiling system that is functional, efficient, and visually attractive. The cast stone units
are available in various shapes and sizes, allowing for a wide range of design possibilities.
● In addition to their aesthetic appeal, cast stone units offer several advantages. They are fire-resistant, durable,
and have excellent thermal and acoustic properties. They can also be manufactured in an environmentally
friendly way, using natural materials and energy-efficient production methods.