Advances in precast concrete in mixed construction

K. S. Elliott, University of Nottingham

Mixed construction is now being used in the majority of new multi-storey buildings, once the traditional domain of cast-in-situ concrete and structural steelwork. Mixed precast construction means the combined use of precast concrete with steelwork, timber, cast-in-situ concrete and masonry. The combination is made for the benefit of the building process at large and does not necessarily have to be designed and constructed compositely. Mixed construction maximises the structural and architectural advantages in combining components made of different materials, but it requires the cooperation of the architect, structural designer, services engineer, manufacturer, supplier and contractor. It is possible that some client and architectural demands can only be satisfied using mixed construction. In 2002 the fib Commission 6 on Prefabrication will publish a state-of-the-art report on the use of precast concrete in mixed construction. This paper summarises the report.