Using precast concrete sections offers significant productivity benefits on construction projects. But to maximise those benefits, precasters, contractors and developers need to take advantage of the latest speciality chemicals and technologies, as Brian Miller, PE, LEED AP from GCP Applied Technologies, explains. The push for ever faster construction in India means that interest in precast concrete is on the rise. Developers know that the sooner a project completes, the sooner it can get to work. Developments that use precast concrete can optimise their time, as structures can be rapidly assembled, piece-by-piece. Also, the manufacturing of precast components can begin offsite while other site work is underway, further speeding project delivery. And, with the advances in today's concrete technology, the production of precast concrete has reached unprecedented levels of efficiency and high performance. Highly durable When proceeding with a project using precast construction, building contractors first want to be sure the component sections have the required durability and structural integrity to meet their design life. By extension, they also want sections that look good and will be easy to maintain. To facilitate these requirements, GCP Applied Technologies has a range of innovative, high quality products designed to give precast components the ease of casting, strength, lifespan and appearance they need. Anderson Gui, Business Director, North Asia & India-Specialty Construction Chemicals, GCP Applied Technologies, says that the company's long history in developing chemicals for the precast industry put it at an advantage. 'One of the major benefits of working with GCP Applied Technologies is that we work in close partnership with our customers; helping precasters, contractors and developers get the right product for them. There is no question that using precast delivers significant productivity gains. But to maximise those gains, it is essential to use admixtures that can deliver the best possible early age strength - because this will maintain schedule and efficiency.' Early age strength Using GCP's innovative admixtures and technologies, precast concrete structures can be created in just about any size or shape, and used in any application. These include utility and industrial structures; infrastructure projects; tunnels or bridges; commercial or residential buildings. To create the most efficient operation for the production of precast sections, it is vital to ensure good early age strength for the concrete. GCP offers its ADVA® Cast family of admixtures, which in addition to offering high early age strength, offer improved quality as well as an excellent surface finish. The advanced chemical makeup of ADVA Cast includes intelligent and superior dispersing and rheology improvement. Having good workability and rheology is important as it means that the concrete mix will fill the form well and a better finish is achieved. Also, the advanced comb-polymer technology in ADVA Cast affords higher water reduction, delivering controlled cement hydration without rapid slump loss or retardation, and enabling the production of precast concrete that has both high strength and high early age strength. Replacing steel reinforcement Another GCP product STRUX® features innovative synthetic structural macrofibres that are used in place of traditional steel reinforcement. These provide high strength reinforcement for resisting and controlling temperature and minimising any cracking in the concrete. The STRUX synthetic fibres offer excellent durability, are lighter than steel reinforcement and are corrosion-resistant. (Communication by the management of the company)