MATERIAL DATA SHEET

Precast concrete column, standard finish (Specified by section size)

Precast Concrete
mineral › Cementitious › Precast Concrete
mineralcementitiousprecaststructuralAS3600high-strengthfire-resistantdurablesustainable
ATLAS CODE
MIN-CEM-PC-006
Precast concrete column, standard finish (Specified by section size)
Category mineral
Material Family Cementitious
Regulatory Status Non-combustible
Density
2300-2500 kg/m³ kg/m³
Carbon (A1-A5)
0.10-0.14 kg CO2e/kg kgCO₂e
Fire Class
Non-combustible
Lifespan
50-100 years yrs
Description

Precast concrete columns are structural elements manufactured off-site in controlled factory conditions, reinforced with steel bars or mesh to AS/NZS 4671 standards. These columns are cast in reusable moulds, cured under optimal conditions, and transported to site for crane installation. Designed to comply with AS3600:2018 and AS1379 requirements, they offer consistent quality, reduced on-site construction time, and excellent structural performance suitable for all Australian climate zones (BCA Climate Zones 1-8).

Primary Sectors
[Commercial][Industrial][Transport & Infrastructure][Healthcare][Residential]
Typical Uses
  • Multi-storey commercial buildings
  • Industrial warehouses and factories
  • Infrastructure projects (bridges, overpasses)
  • Educational facilities
  • Healthcare buildings
  • Residential apartment complexes
  • Retail structures
  • Car park structures
  • Agricultural buildings
  • Marine structures (with appropriate mix design)
Recycled Content 0-30% (fly ash/slag SCM)
Renewable Content 0%
Recyclability 90-100%
Embodied Carbon 0.10-0.14 kg CO2e/kg kgCO₂e
Embodied Energy 1.5-2.0 MJ/kg MJ/kg
EPD Available Yes
Advantages
Superior quality control through factory manufacturingRapid installation (typically one crane lift per column)Consistent 40-50 MPa strength achievementExcellent fire resistance (FRL up to 240/240/240)High durability with 50-100 year design lifeReduced on-site labour requirementsWeather-independent manufacturingMinimal site storage requirementsExcellent acoustic performance (STC 45-55)Low maintenance requirements
Cautions
Higher initial cost than cast-in-place ($450-750/m³)Requires crane access and capacityTransportation limitations for oversized elementsLimited design flexibility after manufacturePotential for damage during transportConnection detailing complexityLead time for custom designs (4-8 weeks)Size limitations due to transport regulations
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TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES MIN-CEM-PC-006
Density (Dry) 2300-2500 kg/m³ kg/m³
Specific Gravity 2.3-2.5
Porosity 8-12% %
Water Absorption 3-5% by mass %
Hardness 6-7 Mohs scale
Surface Roughness 6-12 μm Ra (off-form finish) μm
UV Resistance Excellent - no degradation
Chemical Resistance Good - resistant to mild acids/alkalis pH 5-9
pH Tolerance 5-9 standard, 3-11 with special mix
Compressive Strength 40-50 MPa at 28 days MPa
Tensile Strength 3-4 MPa MPa
Flexural Strength 4-6 MPa MPa
Shear Strength 4-7 MPa MPa
Elastic Modulus 32-34 GPa GPa
Yield Strength N/A - brittle material MPa
Impact Resistance Moderate - requires reinforcement J/m
Bearing Capacity 10-15 MPa (localised) kN/m²
Poisson's Ratio 0.15-0.20
Creep Resistance Creep coefficient 2.0-3.0
Abrasion Resistance Class 2-3 (AS1012.17)
Thermal Conductivity 1.4-2.0 W/m·K W/mK
Thermal Resistance 0.05-0.07 m²·K/W per 100mm m²K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 880-920 J/kg·K J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 10-13 × 10⁻⁶/°C μm/m·K
Melting Point >1000°C (aggregate dependent) °C
Ignition Temperature N/A - non-combustible °C
Sound Transmission Class (STC) 50-55 STC
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.02-0.05
Optical
Light Transmittance 0% %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 20-35% %
Solar Reflectance (SRI) 25-35

Precast concrete technology emerged in Australia in the 1960s, initially for industrial buildings. The National Precast Concrete Association Australia (NPCAA) was established in 1990 to advance industry standards. Major developments include the adoption of AS3850 standards for prefabricated concrete (2003), integration with AS3600 concrete structures standard (2009, 2018 updates), and recent advances in high-performance concrete achieving 80-100 MPa strength. Current focus areas include reducing embodied carbon through SCM usage, developing ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) applications, and advancing connection systems for seismic resilience. The industry has achieved significant sustainability improvements with 25-40% SCM content now standard and EPD certification becoming routine for major manufacturers.

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SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION MIN-CEM-PC-006
Flame Spread Index 0
Smoke Developed Index 0
Combustibility Class Non-combustible
Ignition Temperature N/A - non-combustible °C
Fire Resistance Rating 60-240 minutes (FRL -/60/60 to 240/240/240) hours
Heat Release Rate 0 kW/m² kW/m²
Toxicity of Combustion None - inert material
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) 0.10-0.14 kg CO2e/kg kgCO₂e/kg
Embodied Energy 1.5-2.0 MJ/kg MJ/kg
Water Footprint 150-200 L/m³ L/kg
EPD Available Yes
Recycled Content 30%
Renewable Content 0%
LEED Points MR credits 2-4 points
Circular Economy Score 7/10 /100
VOC Emissions <2 μg/m³ (A+ rating) g/L
Skill Level Licensed crane operator, qualified rigger
Crew Size 4-6 persons
Installation Time 0.5-2 hours per column hr/m²
Curing Time N/A - pre-cured hours
Setting Time 1-2 hours for grout connections min
Temperature Range 5-40°C for installation °C
Humidity Range No specific limitations %
Required Tools
Mobile crane (25-200 tonne capacity)Lifting equipment and certified slingsGrouting equipmentSurveying equipmentTorque wrenches for connectionsWelding equipment (if required)
Certifications Required
Crane operator licenceDogging/rigging certificationWorking at heightsStructural welding (if applicable)
Weather Limitations
Wind speed <40 km/h for crane operationsNo installation in electrical stormsGrouting above 5°C
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COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY MIN-CEM-PC-006
Material Cost $450-750 per m³
Installation Cost $500-1500 per column
Annual Maintenance $0-50 per column
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) $100-200/m³ over 50 years
Market Availability Readily available - multiple suppliers
Lead Time 2-8 weeks depending on size/quantity weeks
Design Life 50-100 years years
Warranty Period 10-20 years structural years
Maintenance Interval 5-10 years inspection months
Service Temp Range -40 to +70°C continuous °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance 300+ cycles (with air entrainment)
Dimensional Stability Shrinkage <0.05% after delivery
Certifications Held
AS/NZS ISO 9001National Precast Concrete Association certificationAS1379 compliance certificationEPD Australasia registration availableGreen Star compliantNABERS Materials recognitionSafe Work Australia complianceCrystalline silica management to AS/NZS 1715
Fire Code Compliance
NCC Specification C1.1AS1530.4 fire testingNCC C1.9 non-combustibility
Standards Compliance
NCC/BCA Volume 1 & 2Deemed-to-Satisfy structural provisionsPerformance Requirements CP1-CP9ASTM C39 (compressive strength)ASTM C666 (freeze-thaw)ASTM E90 (sound transmission)ISO 14040 (LCA framework)ISO 14025 (EPD)ISO 9001 (quality management)EN 206 (concrete specification)EN 13369 (precast concrete)EN 15804 (EPD methodology)

DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.

ID: MIN-CEM-PC-006 Schema: v3.0
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