Precast Concrete

Precast Concrete

Concrete is the foundation on which our society is built on. Literally. And, precast concrete, a form of concrete formation, has become the most accepted form of construction in recent years. Recently, Queensland, Australia has formed a $300 million State Infrastructure Plan where majority of its projects plan to employ precast concrete. How has this form been developed over years?

It was builders who realized that the building process would be expedited tremendously if they poured the concrete moulds. And hence, these ancient structures have stood the test of time. As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Well, it can’t be destroyed in a day too, due to precast concrete. In the modern age, it was John A. Brodie and Yannick Macken who developed precast panelled buildings in 1905, allowing them to be built quicker and cheaper than ever before.

(A picture of a bridge constructed using precast concrete)

Many industrial experts have hailed precast concrete as the most beneficial form of casting in the industry at present. A precast slab, when combined with an in situ concrete topping is said save thousands of dollars compared to the conventional method of slab concrete casting. Other advantages of using precast concrete is the increased quality of the material and the reduced cost of constructing large forms used with concrete poured on site. It is used mainly in the construction of buildings with repetitive design and elements, such as schools and apartments. Materials which have been built using high structural strength and rigidity, which have also been found to support heavy loads. This allows longer span in structural components and saves time too.

Yet, there are disadvantages in using precast concrete too. There exists a very small margin for error, hence very skilled workmanship is required in the application of the panel on site. The need for repetition of forms will affect creativity in building design. Yet, these challenges could be overcome. Significant efficiency in labour can be achieved through mass production techniques which could solve the hurdle of costly labour. With time, other problems could be resolved too. 

(The Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, Baku is going to be built using precast)

Jiuquan Wind Power Base

Jiuquan Wind Power Base

A group of large wind farms, the Jiunquan Wind Power Base, (construction started in 2009) is expected to provide 8GW power in total. It is located in barren areas near the city of Jiuquan. Described as the country's largest wind project, it is seen as a great initiative to increase China's drive in renewable energy sector. It is expected to provide power to most of Northwest China. More than 3,500 turbines have been erected with an installed capacity of 5.16 GW, and at present the turbines are generating 1.15 GW of power, said Wang Jianxin, director of Jiuquan Development and Reform Commission.

"The Jiuquan Wind Power Base is a key part of China’s plan to supply 15 percent of the country’s energy from alternative and renewable sources by 2020. Carbon dioxide emissions have more than doubled in the past 10 years, taking China past the US as the world’s top emitter of greenhouse gases. Although critics have questioned its cost-effectiveness, the US$17.5 billion development will be the largest collective wind farm group in the world when completed." (KPMC)

Oyu Tolgoi Mine

Oyu Tolgoi Mine

An upcoming mine project (underground and open) in Mongolia which is the largest financial undertaking in the small country of Mongolia, costing US$4.6 billion. Many have described it as the largest mining project in the world. It is expected to bring many benefits to the Mongolian economy, especially increasing its economy by 35%. It has already contributed $800 million in pre-tax payments to the government of Mongolia. It is also expected to employ 15,000 Mongolians. 

 “Oyu Tolgoi is a catalyst for investment in infrastructure including housing for company employees, utilities and services in the Khanbogd soum and regional cities. The Project is developing roads, air transport and an electric grid in the South Gobi region and is investing $126 million in Mongolia’s largest education and training program to support university education and vocational training for mining and technical graduates across Mongolia.” (Gcgf) This project is expected to kick-start financial investments from other countries. The region is also expected to oppose China as the sole premier economic hub. The project is also expected to follow internal guidelines and rules for safety. 

Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais

Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais

Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais is a hospital in Mirebalais that was created by Partners In Health after the 2010 Haiti earthquake. It features solar power that can provide complete power on sunny days and feed power back to the grid. It is the largest solar-operated hospital in the world.

“With 1,800 solar panels, the building is immune to the country’s frequent power cuts, and on very sunny days can produce a surplus that will boost the flailing national grid. The hospital is equipped with the latest technology, including virtual teaching facilities. Private funding for this PPP came from donors such as the American Red Cross, the GE Foundation and Artists for Haiti, with US-based international aid organization.” (KPMC)

Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais, a state-of-the-art medical facility, was funded by several non-profit organizations, including the Red Cross, the GE Foundation, and Artists for Haiti, an organization founded by actor Ben Stiller and art gallery owner David Zwirner.

TAPI Gas Pipeline

TAPI Gas Pipeline

In one of the most important and buzzing region, the TAPI Gas pipeline is on the process of being laid. Officially known as the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline (TAPI), it is being developed by the Asian Development Bank. This pipeline will natural gas from Turkmenistan to India, passing through Afghanistan and Pakistan. Construction on the project started in Turkmenistan on 13 December 2015 and is expected to be completed by 2019.

The project is primarily expected to serve the India’s needs for natural gas. Covering more than 1,800 kilometres, the annual capacity of this project is 32 billion cubic metres of natural gas. It is expected to cost US$7.6 billion. The project though faces environmental and financial challenges.

“Project security remains a concern after the 2014 withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. Transaction advisor‑Asian Development Bank is building‑a consortium that would build and‑operate the‑line.” (KPMG)

South-North Water Transfer Project

South-North Water Transfer Project

Delivering mass infrastructures consistently, effectively and efficiently, the South-North Water Transfer/Diversion Project is one of the biggest project ever to be implemented, spanning over many decades. “Its main aim is to divert 44.8 billion cubic meters of fresh water annually from the Yangtze River in southern China to the more arid and industrialized north through three canal systems:

·         Eastern Route through the course of the Grand Canal;

·         Central route flowing from Han River (a tributary of Yangtze River) to Beijing and Tianjin

·         Western route which goes from three tributaries of Yangtze River to provinces like Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Ningxia”(Wikipedia)

With declining levels of groundwater, and decreasing groundwater, this project will be beneficial to more than 200 million people in the North region of China. The main beneficiary will also be the ever-growing network of cities & industries in China. 

Willets Point Development Plan

Willets Point Development Plan

A Historic plan which can transform an area neglected by generations into a posh and highly-sought one, the Willets Point Development Plan will completely transform the social environment by changing the infrastructure and waterworks involved. This shows how much possible impact infrastructure can have on the society. Apart from providing employment and business opportunities, it will also open up social mobility and improve quality of life.

“The first phase of the Willets Point Development Plan in the New York City borough of Queens aims to create around 2,500 units of mixed-income housing, retail and entertainment amenities, public open space, a school, hotel and convention center. Phase 1, budgeted at‑US$3 billion and funded by private developers, hopes to have a huge social impact in an area that has suffered decades of post-industrial decline by generating employment and improving the overall quality of life for residents. This project also plans to create defenses against the pollution that has plagued the waterways around Willets Point for‑over a century.” (KPMG)

Right now, the Plan is in legal hassles with conflicts occurring between the city administration and the court. Various other schemes such as turning into a stadium or parking for the LaGuardia Airport have been rejected/scrapped.