Beams & Columns

Precast Concrete Beams and Columns are versatile.

Precast concrete is a versatile structural material and can be used as the structural system of a building, bridge or other structure. Precast structural systems are comprised of a variety of shapes and components. Most of these will fall into categories of beams, columns, or walls. However, since precast is a cast material, essentially any shape can be manufactured to meet a project’s needs.

General Information

BEAMS
Beams are typically considered structural components and are made in one of three key shapes:

Rectangular
Inverted Tee Beams
L-Beams

Beams are horizontal components that support deck members like double tees, hollow-core, solid slabs, and sometimes other beams. They can be reinforced with either prestressing strand or conventional reinforcing bars. This will depend on the spans and loading conditions.

Since beams are cast upright, the bottom, sides, and ledges are cast against a form and will have an “as cast” finish. The top of the beam is troweled by the finishing crew and can be smooth, roughened to simulate the finish of supported double tees (as in a parking structure), or intentionally roughened to create a bond with cast-in-place concrete that may be poured on site.

COLUMNS

Columns are typically used to support beams and spandrels in applications such as parking structures and precast concrete structural systems of all types. They generally are designed as multilevel components ranging from a single story to six levels or more. Sizes and shapes can vary to satisfy both architectural and structural requirements.

Since columns are cast in a horizontal position, three of the four sides are created with a form. These finishes are very smooth and most often remain “as cast” for interior columns and an architectural finish for exposed to view columns. The fourth side is normally troweled to match the other three sides as closely as possible.