An overview of the four major phases in the twentieth‐century history of precast concrete

construction: developing years; mass production and standardization; lightweight structures and
longer spans; thermal mass design, shows how the beneficial issues in each period has led to the
present‐day movement towards modernization, mechanization and industrialization (MMI) and
the interface with industrialized building systems (IBS). This chapter analyses and criticizes some
of the key aspects of each period, and shows how the present has benefited from the advancements
made against a background of mistakes made in the past, showing examples of the wall panel and
framed structures. Taking examples from the Europe, North and South America (mainly the USA
and Brazil) and south East Asia (mainly Singapore and Malaysia), lessons have been learned from
the excesses of post‐WW2 Europe to the streamlined buildings of twenty‐first century design.

A Brief History of Precast Concrete

Precast History
Precast concrete has been around just about as long as concrete itself. Around 1300 BC,
builders in the Middle East discovered how to make a hard cement-like coating by covering their
clay homes with burned limestone – the precursor to modern cement.
Just a few centuries later, the Romans had begun to mix crushed limestone and other soft
rocks with sand and water to create an early form of concrete. Pouring this concrete into molds or
wooden forms helped form the intricate aqueduct systems and catacombs that required precision
of measurement and durability of construction.
Without the ability to pre-mold concrete and install multiple slabs at once despite inclement
weather or other environmental obstacles, it’s unlikely the ancient Romans would have been able
to construct the extensive underground tunnels that still exist today.
In this respect, the earliest versions of precast concrete were instrumental in inspiring the
expansion of many large cities in Europe and Asia. It’s also a testament for how truly durable
concrete is as a building structure.
Let’s fast forward to today.
Precast Concrete Today
 Despite these early uses, precast concrete didn’t become common or popular in much of
Western Europe and North America until the early 1900s.
Just prior to World War I, British city engineer (and soccer net inventor) John Alexander
Brodie patented the process of constructing precast paneled buildings, what was then a ground-
breaking innovation in construction.
He ended up paving the way for future construction innovations.
On June 18th, 1954, the Precast Concrete Institute was formed to serve as the technical
sounding board for all information and practices related to precast/prestressed concrete. Since its
founding, PCI has developed, maintained and disseminated the body of knowledge for the precast
and prestressed concrete structures industry, and hence created and maintained many industry
standards.
Today, precast is widely used in the construction of the superstructure or frame of a
building. And due to its versatility in shape, texture and color, it’s often used as architectural
cladding designed to mimic the appearance of more costly materials such as limestone, granite or
stone. But perhaps the greatest benefit of precast concrete is that it can serve as both the structural
and architectural element at the same time, providing a total precast concrete building.
 Republic of the Philippines
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
Cabanatuan City

College of Engineering
Civil Engineering Department

RESEARCH WORK #2
“History of Prestressed
Concrete”

Submitted by:
Ador Dionisio, Calvin Lloyd B.
Submitted to:
Engr. Allan D.M. Abenoja Jr.

Date Submitted: February , 2020