FACT SHEET

Sustainability - Using Precast for

Sustainable Construction
Sustainability is defined as development materials like steel or timber. Benefits of
that meets the needs of the present using precast come from every angle…
without compromising the ability of future efficient manufacture, on site (during
generations to meet their own needs. construction) and for the life of the building.
It encourages the protection of the
environment and prudent use of natural Design and manufacture
resources. Sustainable development Because AS3600 recognises the high quality
challenges the design and construction of precast concrete, it rewards the user of
industry to create buildings and structures precast concrete with reduced concrete
that acknowledge the life cycle of the cover to reinforcement and the physical
structure. size of precast elements can be reduced
by up to 15% when compared with in-situ
With buildings, recognising that operating concrete. In addition, most precast concrete
a building over time is far more energy flooring systems offer savings of up to 50%
intensive than developing it, demand in concrete and reinforcing steel due to the
for durability andenergy performance is structural efficiency of their voided or ribbed
growing. Greenhouse gas emissions in cross-sections. These dematerialisation
buildings are due to both embodied energy advantages offered by precast are indeed
and operating energy. a benefit to our environment which can be
easily overlooked.
The importance of material choice
Choosing the right materials is a key Precast concrete is manufactured in a
consideration in sustainable construction. controlled environment allowing more
When compared with other construction efficient use of materials with very little
materials, precast concrete is a responsible waste compared with in-situ concrete.
choice for sustainable development. The
underlying properties of precast make
a strong contribution to sustainability.
Architects, engineers and builders are
choosing precast for its durability, reduced
maintenance and energy performance;
properties not found in other construction
making precast easy
FACT SHEET
The advantage of controlled manufacture Further, the high quality and integrity
becomes apparent as each part of the of precast means that maintenance and
process can be easily monitored and operating costs are low. For minimal on-
controlled due to the operations being going maintenance, precast can be left
repetitive. Employment of lean production exposed (with finishes such as off-form,
methods and sophisticated quality systems sandblasted, water-washed, honed,
in the factory, as well as superior vibration polished, coloured with oxides or stained).
and curing techniques, steel casting beds, More durable than other materials,
repeated use of moulds and specially precast provides long service for high
designed mixes mean a higher quality use applications and can easily have a life
product with minimal production waste. expectancy of 100 years.
The minimal waste which is generated in
the factory is more readily recycled because When the time does come to reuse or
production is in one location. renovate a precast structure, its durability
means that the main portion of the structure
To reduce the use of virgin materials and is very often left in place. This helps the
the overall environmental burden, recycled environment by conserving resources
materials such as fly ash, slag, silica fume, as a result of reduced waste (which
recycled aggregates and water can be otherwise goes to landfill) and avoiding the
incorporated into precast concrete. Use environmental impacts of new construction.
of such products diverts them away from
otherwise being added to the growing Increasing the sustainability of precast
landfill mass. Although concrete has a high level of
embodied energy, designers and builders
During construction can adopt the following options to reduce
On site, precast construction creates embodied energy and make it more
less air pollution, noise and debris. Local sustainable.
materials are often used and transportation
is minimised. Formwork is reduced or Recycling of concrete waste
eliminated and buildings can be erected The Australian Greenhouse Office
quickly. As well, site waste is significantly encourages and rewards builders and
reduced as exact elements (in both size and designers to give due attention to the use
quantity) are delivered to the construction of a significant recycled content in building
site. construction or refurbishment. Concrete
waste can be processed to produce
Post construction roadbase/fill material, recycled concrete
What happens after construction can also aggregate and recycled concrete fines.
make a solid contribution to sustainable Extensive research has been undertaken
building strategies. to increase the use of recycled concrete
worldwide. The primary use of recycled
Precast’s high quality means that it can concrete in Australia is for roadbase
be left exposed in order to maximise the material, which not only reduces the need
benefits of its inherent high thermal mass. for natural fill but is also commercially
Because of its high density, precast has the viable.
ability to absorb and store large quantities
of heat. This in itself may improve heating
and cooling efficiency by as much as 30%
compared to other building alternatives.

making precast easy

FACT SHEET
Use of supplementary cementitious found in the second edition of the Precast
materials Concrete Handbook, on sale soon from SAI
The quality and properties of concrete can Global – register at www.nationalprecast.
be improved by replacing a portion of the com.au to be notified of availability.
cement with industrial by-products known
as supplementary cementitious materials Precast’s sustainability benefits come
(SCM) such as fly ash, blast furnace slag from every angle…
and silica fume. Use of these materials also
reduces both mining of natural resources
• Lean manufacture, superior vibration and
and greenhouse emissions associated
curing, steel casting beds, special mixes
with cement production while disposing
and recycling of waste means a higher
of a waste material previously destined
quality product with minimal production
for landfill. Fly ash is commonly used to
waste.
replace between 20–25% of portland
cement in a blended cement, although
higher percentages are possible and could • Moulds are often used repeatedly.
be adopted where appropriate for a greater
impact. • Local materials are used, transportation
is minimised.
Increase the use of recycled water in
concrete • Recycled materials (eg fly ash, slag, silica
Recycled water has been successfully fume, recycled aggregates, grey water)
used in concrete for many years. Its use, can be incorporated.
quality and limits are assessed under AS
1379. In addition, finishing processes such • Precast construction creates less air
as polishing and honing can use recycled pollution, noise and waste (exact
water. elements are delivered to site).

Improving building design and • Precast can be left exposed, maximising

specifications thermal mass benefits.
This involves:
• Precast has a long life expectancy and
1. Developing low-energy, long-lasting yet maintenance and operating costs are
flexible buildings and structures; low.

2. Exploiting the thermal mass of concrete • Precast structures can be retained and
in a structure to reduce energy demand; refitted internally.

3. Considering innovative or alternative

design that incorporates de-
materialisation such as using materials
that have undergone an energy-saving
process or action during manufacture or
sourcing such as a filler component in
cement manufacture.

Specific examples of where sustainable

design using precast construction, can make
a considerable environmental impact can be
making precast easy
FACT SHEET

LEFT: Precast concrete is

manufactured in a controlled
environment allowing more
efficient use of materials with very
little waste.

ABOVE: ANU’s Hedley Bull Centre -

repeated use of moulds and specially
designed mixes mean a higher quality
product with minimal production waste.

making precast easy