High Performance

High-performance concrete (HPC) provides a designated combination of performance and uniformity requirements that can’t always be achieved routinely using conventional constituents and normal mix, placing, and curing practices.

HPC is produced by controlling the amount of cement or cementitious materials, such as slag and fly ash, in the mix. This replacement creates a low water-cementitious ratio, which reduces permeability, increases strength, and improves durability.

High-performance precast concrete (HPPC) uses HPC to produce high quality prefabricated building components. They work together to optimize and integrate high-performance characteristics into the structure throughout its life cycle.

HPPC components offer any needed strategic blend of versatile, efficient, and resilient benefits. The advantages include:

 

Versatility:

 

• Aesthetic diversity, including the capability to provide an almost endless array of colors and textures as well as a face into which veneers and masonry can be embedded.

• Structural flexibility, by providing long, open spans that eliminate columns and obstructions.

 

Efficiency:

 

• Controlled production at an offsite facility that reduces congestion at the site while maximizing quality and producing tight tolerances that speed erection.

• Casting multiple finishes in one panel, reducing detailing, joints, flashing, onsite labor, and maintenance costs.

• Combination architectural/structural components, which allow faster erection of the structure, reduced onsite activities, and focused responsibility in a single-source supplier.

• Fast delivery and erection, requiring no staging area for just-in-time deliveries and no delays for harsh weather conditions.

• Combination architectural/structural components, which allow faster erection of the structure, reduced onsite activities, and focused responsibility in a single-source supplier.

• Reduced life-cycle costs due to lower long-term expenses for maintenance and utilities and fewer building joints.

• Aid in achieving sustainable-design standards due to precast concrete’s use of recycled materials, nearby manufacturing, and other concepts.

 

Resiliency:

• Storm protection from high winds and flying debris, proven with impact studies.

• Seismic protection, including innovative, code-approved techniques to self-right a structural frame following a seismic event.