SAINT LOUIS COLLEGE

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO LA UNION

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT
FIRST SEMESTER SY 2021-2022

BT3 (AR A315D)

DESCRIPTION AND DIAGRAM OR ILLUSTRATIONS ON THE METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION

MIDTERM- RESEARCH WORK 1.0

SUBJECT TOPIC:
1. LIFT-SLAB CONSTRUCTION
2. PRE-STRESSES CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
3. PRE-CAST CONCRETE FLOOR SYSTEM

STUDENT:

DULAY, DENNIS ROEL T.

BS. ARCHITECTURE 3A

PROFESSOR:

AR. VIC A. QUIJANO

ARCHITECT UAP
Lift-Slab Construction is a precast method of construction of slab on the
ground and then lifting it to the structure.
A type of precasting used in building construction involves casting floor and roof
slabs at or near ground level and lifting them to their final position, hence the name
lift-slab construction. It offers many of the advantages of precasting and eliminates
many of the storing, handling, and transporting disadvantages. It normally requires
fewer joints than other types of precast building systems. Typically, columns are
erected first, but not necessarily for the full height of the building. Near the base of
the columns, floor slabs are cast in succession, one atop another, with a parting com-
pound between them to prevent bond. The roof slab is cast last, on top. Usually, the
construction is flat plate, and the slabs have uniform thickness; waffle slabs or other
types also can be used.

Openings are left around the columns, and a steel collar is slid down each column for
embedment in every slab. The collar is used for lifting the slab, connecting it to the
column, and reinforcing the slab against shear.

To raise the slabs, jacks are set atop the columns and turn threaded rods that pass
through the collars and do the lifting. As each slab reaches its final position, it is
wedged in place and the collars are welded to the columns.
Prestressed Concrete
Although prestressed concrete was patented by a San Francisco engineer in 1886, it
did not emerge as an accepted building material until a half-century later. The shortage
of steel in Europe after World War II coupled with technological advancements in high-
strength concrete and steel made prestressed concrete the building material of choice
during European post-war reconstruction. North America's first prestressed concrete
structure, the Walnut Lane Memorial Bridge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, however,
was not completed until 1951.

In conventional reinforced concrete, the high tensile

strength of steel is combined with concrete's great compressive strength to form a
structural material that is strong in both compression and tension. The principle behind
prestressed concrete is that compressive stresses induced by high-strength steel
tendons in a concrete member before loads are applied will balance the tensile stresses
imposed in the member during service.

Prestressing removes a number of design limitations conventional concrete places on

span and load and permits the building of roofs, floors, bridges, and walls with longer
unsupported spans. This allows architects and engineers to design and build lighter and
shallower concrete structures without sacrificing strength.

The principle behind prestressing is applied when a

row of books is moved from place to place. Instead of stacking the books vertically and
carrying them, the books may be moved in a horizontal position by applying pressure to
the books at the end of the row. When sufficient pressure is applied, compressive
stresses are induced throughout the entire row, and the whole row can be lifted and
carried horizontally at once.
Compressive Strength Added
Compressive stresses are induced in prestressed concrete either by pretensioning or
post-tensioning the steel reinforcement.

In pretensioning, the steel is stretched before the concrete is placed. High-strength steel
tendons are placed between two abutments and stretched to 70 to 80 percent of their
ultimate strength. Concrete is poured into molds around the tendons and allowed to
cure. Once the concrete reaches the required strength, the stretching forces are
released. As the steel reacts to regain its original length, the tensile stresses are
translated into a compressive stress in the concrete. Typical products for pretensioned
concrete are roof slabs, piles, poles, bridge girders, wall panels, and railroad ties.

In post-tensioning, the steel is stretched after the concrete hardens. Concrete is cast
around, but not in contact with unstretched steel. In many cases, ducts are formed in
the concrete unit using thin walled steel forms. Once the concrete has hardened to the
required strength, the steel tendons are inserted and stretched against the ends of the
unit and anchored off externally, placing the concrete into compression. Post-tensioned
concrete is used for cast-in-place concrete and for bridges, large girders, floor slabs,
shells, roofs, and pavements.

Prestressed concrete has experienced greatest

growth in the field of commercial buildings. For buildings such as shopping centers,
prestressed concrete is an ideal choice because it provides the span length necessary
for flexibility and alteration of the internal structure. Prestressed concrete is also used in
school auditoriums, gymnasiums, and cafeterias because of its acoustical properties
and its ability to provide long, open spaces. One of the most widespread uses of
prestressed concrete is parking garages.
Properties of Precast Concrete Construction
Following are the few Properties of Precast Concrete Construction Process:

• Enables faster programmed times - not affected by weather or labour shortages.

• Improves buildability - early enclosure of dry envelope enables follow-on trades to start
sooner.
• Produces a high standard of workmanship in factory conditions - reduces potential for
accidents, addresses on-site skill shortage.
• Has a high quality finish that can be left exposed - concrete's thermal properties can be
exploited in low-energy buildings.

Functions of Precast Concrete Construction

Primary Functions
• Keep water out
• Prevent air leakage
• Control light
• Control radiation of heat
• Control conduction of heat
• Control sound
Secondary Functions
• Resist wind forces
• Control water vapor
• Adjust to movement
• Thermal & moisture expansion/contraction
• Structural movements
• Resist fire
• Weather gracefully
• Easy to install
Architectural precast concrete provides architects with an exciting medium when designing
facades for a wide range of buildings, from healthcare facilities to shopping malls, commercial
office buildings to sports stadiums. Precast concrete provides

• Complete thermal protection

• Continuous air/vapour barrier
• Effective rain screens
• Superior lifespan
• Reduced construction schedule and on-site labour
 • High quality control standards
• Numerous finish options and colours

Precast Concrete Frame Construction

Precast concrete frames involve an entire structure being fabricated off-site. In addition,
structural components can be supplied for incorporation into a structure on-site. Frames can
simultaneously achieve both structural and decorative design requirements - a wide variety of
mixes, colours and finishes can be accommodated. Architecturally-finished precast structures
can be left exposed to exploit concrete's high thermal capacity in a building's "green" energy
management system.

Construction Process
Precast concrete frames are cast in the same way as precast concrete cladding, but as they are
designed as structural elements have heavier reinforcement than is required for non-structural
cladding. Elegant connections are required between columns and beams to transfer
considerable forces without adversely affecting the visual appearance of the frame.

Benefits of using Precast Concrete Frames:

Precast concrete frames:

• Enable faster programme times - not affected by weather or labour shortages.

• Improve buildability - structure is fabricated off-site for rapid erection on-site
• Produce a high standard of workmanship in factory conditions - reduces potential for
accidents, addresses on-site skill shortage.
 • Have a high quality finish that can be left exposed - concrete's thermal properties can be
exploited in low-energy buildings.

Precast Concrete Wall Construction

Precast concrete walls are used for internal & external walls, lift shafts, central cores etc.
Precast wall system are mostly used in domestic construction, both for individual housing & for
apartments. The solution can be considered as the industrialized form of cast in-situ walls or
classical brick or block masonry walls.

• The precast walls can be load bearing or only partition walls. The surface of the
elements is smooth on both sides & ready for painting or wallpapering.
• Precast walls offer the advantage of speed of construction, smooth surface finishing,
acoustic insulation & fire resistance.

Precast Concrete Floor Construction

Types of precast concrete floors
• Hollow core floors
• Ribbed floors
• Concrete roof elements
• Massive slab floors
The principle advantages of precast floors are speed of construction, absence of scaffolding,
large variety of types, large span capacity, & economy. Precast floors can also be classified
according to their manufacture into totally & partially precast floors. Totally precast concrete
floors are composed of units, which are totally cast at the plant. After erection, the units are
connected to the structure & the longitudinal joints are grouted.In some cases a cast in-situ
structural topping screed is added. Partially precast concrete floors are composed of a precast
part & a cast in-situ part. Both parts are working together at the final stage to achieve the
composite structural capacity. The main totally precast floor & roof types are described
hereafter.

Advantages of Precast Concrete Process

Precast concrete process provides following advantages:

• Structural efficiency
• Flexibility in use
• Optimum use of materials
• Speed of construction
• Quality consciousness
• Adaptability
• Protection of the environment

Advantages
• Precast concrete construction is less expensive than real brick.
 • Does not require an extensive footing like a real masonry wall. Can be reset should it
ever shift.
• More durable than real masonry - no mortar joints to let water in.
• Installs quickly and easily - most can be done in one day.
• Maintenance free - No need to paint or periodically replace slats as you would with
wood fences.
Disadvantage
• System building is less flexible in its design concept than purpose-mode structures
• Most design briefs can be fulfilled without too much modification to the original concept
• Structural connection between the precast concrete units can present both design &
contractual problems