One-layer walls

Precast walls are mainly used in apartment buildings, houses, hotels and similar structures. The bearing walls are generally used in combination with hollow core floors. Other applications are partition walls and elevator and stairwell shafts. Generally, the larger the wall units are, the more economic the project is and the better the site productivity. Of course, limitations can be imposed by the capacity of the site craneage and transport limitations.

Precast walls are manufactured on long table or battery moulds. The moulded side is smooth as cast, the top face leveled and floated. Painting or wallpapering is possible after thin plastering. Technical ducts and inserts for electricity are incorporated prior to casting.

Dimensions of wall units:

• Maximum length:            7,5 m
• Maximum height:            3,5 m
• Thickness:                      200 mm
• Fire resistance:              180 min (Eurocode 2)

Vertical wall-to-wall connections are generally designed to transmit shear forces. The vertical joint faces of the panels are profiled. Horizontal joints between walls and floors are either with direct floor support on the walls for medium-rise buildings or with floors supported on corbels, for high-rise buildings. It is advisable to concentrate the tie reinforcement in the horizontal joint between the units.