Precast Solutions - May/June 2008 - (Page 26)

TECHNICAL PRECAST LIGHTENS UP WITH LIGHTWEIGHT PRECAST WALLS, THE SKY’S THE LIMIT. BY MICHAEL CHUSID, RA FCSI E D I TO R ’ S N OT E The system featured in this article is among a variety of lightweight thin-wall systems available today. To locate manufacturers of thin-wall systems, please visit precast.org, click the “Find a Product” link and use the search term “wall panel” in the search form. T he advantages of precast concrete – durability, fast erection, fine architectural finish – are well known. The possibilities for its use are limited being placed then delivered to the job site on an asneeded basis. Lightweight panels can be handled more easily using lighter equipment. Alternatively, it becomes practical to precast much larger panels, which speeds construction and minimizes the number of panel joints. Lighter weight and fewer pieces mean that shipping costs less and erection can be faster than conventional precast panels. Lightweight wall systems are also more sustainable for “green” building. Lightweight wall panels reduce greenhouse gases, because they consume less portland cement, a major source of CO2 emissions. Concrete and steel framing can be made from recycled content. Lighter panels make trucking more efficient, which reduces energy consumption and vehicle emissions. Use of larger panels with fewer panel joints minimizes air infiltration to save energy for heating and cooling the building. And thermal performance can be improved even further by using 6-inch studs and increased insulation. Lightweight wall panels are proving to be a powerful tool for designers, according to Paul Clark, vice president of Metal Stud Crete, a popular lightweight precast wall system. “An exciting new technology always inspires innovation. Architects and engineers all over the country are finding new ways to use it, and we’re constantly being educated about the versatility of our own product,” he says. “I believe it is changing the face of construction.” One reason for the company’s widespread adoption only be its size and weight when transporting and installing it. Recently, however, a new type of precast concrete that minimizes the burden has been added to the designer’s toolbox. Lightweight precast wall systems, integrating concrete with light-gauge steel framing, cut the weight but retain most of the advantages. The lightweight concept is expanding the range of projects where precast is the answer. Lightweight wall systems marry light-gauge steel framing to a thin concrete panel creating a complete exterior wall. Utilizing as little as 2 inches of concrete instead of the customary 4 to 6 inches, these panels can weigh 60 percent less than conventional precast, yet provide composite strength for use as load-bearing walls as well as cladding and curtain walls. Lightweight wall systems reduce deadloads on the entire structure, saving weight – and money – down to the foundation. Another advantage is space savings. Integral steel studs eliminate the need for interior furring, resulting in a thinner wall overall. This increases net usable floor space by several inches around the entire perimeter of the building. It also saves time and expense, since studs provide ready-made cavities for insulation and utilities, and interior finishes can then be attached directly to the studs. Wall panels can be cast off site while foundations are 26 PRECAST SOLUTIONS | MAY/JUNE 2008 http://www.precast.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Precast Solutions - May/June 2008

Precast Solutions - May/June 2008 Contents Sustainability and Practicality Security Blanket A Frank Lloyd Wright Takes Shape Concrete Joins MENSA Precast Lightens Up

Precast Solutions - May/June 2008

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