Precast plants layouts

[noznoz]

Dear all,

I am looking for an information source "book, website, report, etc.." that helps me in designing a layout for a precast concrete plant whether “circulation or stationary”. Based on my knowledge, I see that that the layout design depends on the types of elements produced, plant capacity, plant type (whether “circulation or stationary”), and many other factors like labor cost and logistics.

This is all general but what I need is real examples.

I do not care much about double wall and hollow core plants.

Your feedback is highly appreciated.

Noznoz

 

[civilperson]

Copy one of Wilson Concrete's seven precast plants.

 

[concretemasonry]

Generally, precast plants must be designed to make the the major or "main line" products and be able to be adapted to make other minor products.

Usually, a main aggregate and batching area/facility in the plant itself is best for normal precast building materials. The batching system below the aggregate storage will be dedicated to either or both wet mix and dry mix (zero slump) concrete. The best system of economically controlling, and transporting materials is by conveyors unless the equipment is best served by individual "buckets".

Since overhead cranes are usually necessary for movement of equipment and elements, they can also provide movement and delivery of concrete. Specialized/secondary concrete mixes can be accomplished by the use of auxilliary/supplementary batching/mixing stations.

Depending on the types of precast elements planned to be produced is to contact the various suppliers of the equipment since they are usually relied on to make things work in the end. Most equipment suppliers have many sophisticated CAD plant layouts for different products, but the pricipals are the same. European equipment manufacturers usually have superior layouts and concepts because of the history and emphasis. There are really few revolutionary technology improvements since the art is not that new, unless there is a unique product. The control of aggregates and sophisticated batching systems is far beyond what is normally seen in a simple ready-mix plant, since it could never be certified if it was at the that level of control of materials.

Architectural precast is a different animal and is very specialized. Tees, beams and hollow core plants come "off the shelf" except for the local physical and loading requirements. Then, the key is again control, unoformity and quality.

The equipment investment may be the conrolling factor since the plant layout wil be determined by the products, capacity and scheduling, which you already aknowledge. Very often, the land area available and access to it can be a critical and limiting factor. - Too many plants were built on poor sites that end up limiting the potential.

Dick