Concrete is cast in a reusable mold or form to create precast concrete, a durable and versatile building material. It is incredibly heavy and frequently used to construct roads, bridges, and other substantial constructions. Thus, it is critical to securely transport these oddly shaped structures from point A to point B.

Fresh Concrete vs. Precast Concrete Transportation

Transporting precast concrete panels or any precast concrete item differs significantly from carrying fresh concrete in several ways. Special concrete transport vehicles are used to move site-cast concrete from one location to another (in-transit mixers). These devices were created to mix concrete while it is being transported to the construction site.

Precast concrete panel transportation, however, is rather different. Precast concrete must be moved from the manufacturing yard to the job site using large, strong trucks and heavy lifting equipment since it is brought to construction sites ready to be erected.

It's crucial to ensure precast concrete is completely cured before transferring it since transportation might put the product under stress. Otherwise, it could break if raised or moved too soon. When the goods are prepared for shipping, the relevant experts will have a mechanism for scheduling and identifying that readiness.

How Do Precast Manufacturers Transport Precast?

To get precast to a job site in one piece it is moved from the plant to the yard, the yard to the truck, and the truck to the site to be transported. Precasters must adhere to best practices to maintain the product's quality throughout the various phases of transportation. Before any movement begins, a manufacturer must ensure the items are strong enough to be transported before transporting them from the yard to the truck.

Before Transportation

Several procedures must be completed before a building may be placed onto a truck for transport. Quality Control must first examine the product to ensure it is finished and does not require extra work. Quality Control will notify the project manager after the product has been examined and certified by Quality Control as ready for shipping. The project manager will then inform the transportation manager.

Delivery Tickets

The transportation manager will have several tasks to do before the product is shipped after they are alerted that it is ready to ship. The first step is to draft a delivery ticket. The shipping date, the trucking firm that will transport the goods, the load number, the site's contact information, and the ticket number will all be listed on the delivery ticket. It will also include the salesperson's name and the client's purchase order number. The delivery ticket will also include information regarding the structure itself, such as its weight, the requirements for the crane, and the rigger's contact information.

Transportation Company Coordination

The factory's transportation manager will also contact the shipping firm to inform them what vehicle will be required to deliver the precast building. Smaller constructions could be simpler to transport than larger ones requiring many trucks or bigger trailers to handle their size and weight. Permits are required for structures wider than 8 feet 6 inches. A permit and an escort are required for structures wider than 14 feet. Permits and two escorts are needed for structures wider than 16 feet. A weight permit is also required for precast constructions that weigh more than a specific amount.

Plant to Yard

Embedded lifters or forklifts will transport the concrete to where it will stay until it is required on a project site once the concrete has been poured at the factory and is prepared to be carried to the yard for storage. Precast processes that are effective and profitable turn forms at least once, occasionally twice, every 24 hours. This procedure is risky since the concrete won't reach its full strength for another 28 days after it is cast. To prevent damage to the machine or the precast concrete, lift operators carefully choose the proper lifting inserts for the transfer.

Yard to Truck

Precast concrete must be carefully loaded onto and affixed to a multi-axle flatbed trailer when transported to a project site. The precast concrete has now had enough time to harden fully, reducing the likelihood of breaking. However, extreme caution must still be used to prevent any problems. The final product can be designed to resist spalling and cracking using enhanced aggregate-cement bonding. A lifting mechanism that is incorporated facilitates this.

This is a precasters final chance to confirm that the precast is suitable for handling by contractors. Many precast manufacturers employ forklifts or specialized hydraulic clamps to move items throughout the factory or yard. To raise objects, the contractor will often utilize one of three methods: embedded lifting devices with the appropriate connection hardware, lift holes with lifting pins, or embedded lifting cables and chains with hooks. If the contractor lifts something differently than the plant does, there can be problems in the field.

The precast concrete is next examined to ensure it is securely fixed to the trailer and will not likely create any problems when the material is being transported.

Truck to Job Site

If you've ever operated a vehicle larger than a minivan, you know that driving a massive vehicle entails a completely other set of safety precautions. Imagine a vehicle hauling tons of precast concrete on a multi-axle flatbed trailer – not a simple job. The driver must be extremely cautious and well-versed in concrete transportation to prevent a tragedy.

The driver is essential to guarantee that the goods reach the job site intact. The driver needs to be knowledgeable. Whether the precaster or a third-party business employs the driver, they must be taught the fundamentals of lifting and handling concrete loads and familiar with the DOT regulations for safe load tying down. A knowledgeable and experienced driver might advise the contractor on correct handling and could tell the precast firm if they saw improper on-site product handling.

Final Thoughts

Transporting precast concrete products involves three separate movements, each with unique concerns and difficulties that must be examined and resolved to provide the highest-quality precast concrete product to the construction site. Transport best practices revolve around knowledge of what is necessary and ongoing training, much like most precast production-related factors. Precast concrete shipment is made simple by coordinated efforts and open communication.