The United States' intricate network of vital infrastructure sectors aims to ensure that our country runs smoothly and its residents are safe. The assets, systems, and networks are governed by Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21) and protect the national public health and safety and the national economic security. Significant national resources are devoted to advancing and improving these sectors on an ongoing basis.

What is Classified as Key Infrastructure?

PPD-21 encompasses 16 key infrastructure sectors that have been identified. These industries are so vital that the destruction or incapacitating of even a small portion of them would have a crippling impact on overall national security. Here are the sixteen sectors:

• The chemical industry is in charge of turning raw materials into more than 70,000 goods that are necessary for survival.

• The commercial facilities sector is in charge of many locations that gather big crowds of people, including office buildings, malls, and accommodations.

• The communications sector is in charge of delivering interconnected services like wireless and satellite, as well as the providers who collaborate to guarantee interoperability.

• The critical manufacturing sector is responsible for the components vital to economic growth and national security.

• The dam sector is in charge of hydroelectric power generation, flood control, industrial waste management, and many other vital water retention and control services.

• To meet the needs of the US military, the Defense Industrial Base Sector is in charge of the research, development, production, delivery, and maintenance of military weapons systems, subsystems, and components.

• The emergency services sector is responsible for the highly skilled individuals who respond to incidents nationwide.

• The energy sector is accountable for performing an "enabling role" to provide a reliable energy supply to all other vital infrastructure.

• The financial services sector is in charge of hundreds of depositories, investment product suppliers, and companies that provide credit and financing.

• The manufacturing, processing, and storage of food supplies are done primarily by privately owned businesses in the food and agricultural sector.

• The government facilities sector is in charge of various structures that the federal government either owns or leases for public and private functions.

• The healthcare and public health sectors safeguard the economy against terrorism, pandemics, and natural disasters.

• The information technology sector ensures the security of technologically related systems and services used by enterprises, governments, academic institutions, and citizens.

• The nuclear reactors, materials & waste sector oversees 20,000 licensed users of radioactive sources, research/test reactors, fuel cycle facilities, and operating and retired reactors.

• The Transportation Systems Sector ensures that goods and people are transported safely, quickly, and securely across the country's transportation networks.

• The Water & Wastewater Systems Sector provides clean drinking water and treats sewage for the entire country.

Why Highway and Bridge Infrastructure Works with Precast

Due to the country's vast number of bridges, roads, and highways, many of which will need to be updated or repaired, roads and bridges will continue to be the primary use for precast concrete in infrastructure construction.

Our country's infrastructure has traditionally relied heavily on precast concrete. DOTs have utilized it for various purposes, including walls, bridges, barriers, and more, due to its robustness, dependability, quality, and ease of installation.

Other precast parts stand out because of inherent colors, unusual shapes, insets, and finishes that give them a second role. Some precast elements do their purpose diligently but go mostly unnoticed as they blend into roadside environments.

These elements provide much more than solid infrastructure. Highway sound walls have embedded regional animals or distinctive patterns, giving them life. Other states have made architectural choices like natural stone, wood grain, or brick that complement the neighborhood's aesthetics. Precast is ready to take on the challenge of being not only a superior structural construction material but also an aesthetically versatile one.

Precast concrete offers the appropriate appearance, quick installation, and long service life. Precast concrete may frequently be installed more quickly than competing materials. Retaining walls and MSE in a variety of forms are also offered by precast manufacturers around the nation.

Despite their higher cost, precast concrete components will increasingly be used in new and repair road and bridge construction. For instance: 

• Because of their lightweight and capacity to endure stresses brought on by the weight of other bridge components and strong traffic loads, prestressed bridge components, tees, and slabs are utilized on bridges.

• Because they are strong and have extended lifespans, precast concrete sound and traffic barriers are frequently employed.

Precast concrete may span anything from gullies to gorges and can reflect the architectural character of a community while also protecting the environment. Precast can offer an aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting design, whether the product is a short-span bridge or a full solution that can cross a significant river.

Benefits of Precast for Infrastructure Projects

The US has an open society, making it susceptible to events that endanger safety and security. Aside from unpredictable and uncontrollable natural disasters like floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, the US also faces several covert adversaries who aim to harm our way of life through physical attacks on buildings and transportation systems and cyberattacks on the financial and technology sectors. Precast concrete building products address a demand in the ongoing endeavor to safeguard these national treasures.

Blast Resistance

Precast concrete is incredibly resilient to the concussive effects of blasts and can be built to withstand gradual collapse. Precast is a great option for data centers, military and governmental buildings, and other locations holding critical equipment and information because of this property.

Fire resistance

Precast concrete buildings do not burn and contain fires, giving first responders a chance to evacuate residents and stop the spread of the fire. Concrete is fireproof, which helps to control fires and reduces total damage to the structure in the event of a fire.

Storm resistance

Precast concrete's intrinsic strength is unaffected by strong winds, rising water, or vibrating ground. Precast concrete "weathers the storm" better than any other building material and is used in FEMA-approved projects due to its durability.

Sustainability

Precast concrete has replaced other building materials as one that supports the "one and done" attitude as we have come to appreciate the necessity to construct durable structures with ecologically friendly features. Precast construction will last for decades, as opposed to other building materials that need continual maintenance and replacement.

Reduced maintenance

Because precast concrete is stronger and more durable than conventional building materials, it needs less "service after the sale." Both interior and exterior precast applications are top performers in all climates and geographical regions due to their exceptional mold/mildew resistance and great longevity.

Resource-Efficient

90% of concrete's composition comprises its primary element, water, coupled with sand, stone, or gravel. Surprisingly, each ingredient's sourcing and assembly use very little energy. Cement, which makes up 10% of concrete, is also the component that releases all of the CO2 into the atmosphere.

Makes for Energy-Efficient Buildings

Concrete makes it possible to restore our infrastructure efficiently, thanks to LEED certification for construction. Insulation and little air infiltration are frequently incorporated into concrete construction techniques to increase energy efficiency.

Additionally, recycled materials can be used in concrete, reducing both the carbon footprint and the number of materials that would otherwise wind up in a landfill. Industry preferences for more environmentally friendly concrete are fly ash and slag.

Has a Long Service Life and Quick Build Time

Concrete is incredibly resilient to the elements and long-lasting, making it the ideal material for rebuilding our infrastructure. Additionally, new and improved concretes are lighter and stronger than traditional precast. Compared to other building materials like steel, wood, and asphalt, concrete is also the undisputed champ in terms of sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

The selected concrete reinforcement, however, requires more consideration. Choosing the appropriate rebar can make all the difference in corrosion. Concrete structures that use stainless-clad steel reinforcing bars have demonstrated lifespans of more than 100 years.

Precast concrete projects can be constructed quickly in emergencies, and precast concrete factories have completely changed the game for places that need to be extensively rebuilt quickly.