CE 5611 - 2011

CE 5611 Precast and

Concrete Technology
Handling, Transportation and
Erection

CE 5611 - 2011

Handling, Transportation and Erection

Aim is to achieve maximum efficiency throughout entire
cycle, from loading the precast element at the plant,
through transporting to the site and erection of the
elements

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Handling
• All elements handled in the indicated position

CE 5611 - 2011

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Different lifting arrangements may need to be

adopted depending on type of element

CE 5611 - 2011

Transport
Method of loading
• Type of transport needed depending on shape, mass and volume of
elements
• Number of elements per load
• Ideal position on vehicle
• Overall stability of the load
• Properly
P l braced
b d andd wedged
d d iin accordance
d tto safety
f t requirements
i t

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Supporting battens vertically aligned

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Transport planning
• Programme for construction and transport of elements
established in agreement with contractor’s general
programme
• Co-ordination to ensure erection crew and equipment
supplied at a rate to avoid delays at erection site

CE 5611 - 2011

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Delivery sequence
Sequence should be flexible to allow:
– Full loads, using reasonable “fill-out” units if necessary
– Control of unit position on trailer for safety and economy
– Adequate advance notice of need for shipment
– Assurance of reasonably prompt unloading

CE 5611 - 2011

Proper Documentation
Purpose is identification of elements
– The production number, series and date
– The mass
– A reference to indicate final position in the structure, in
accordance with system shown on drawings
Information above should appear on despatch notes prepared
b manufacturer
by f t

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Transport Organisation

Responsibilities of each party

party, including transport
firm, established concerning:
– Loading position
– Route
– Timing and speed
– Protection of product
– Access to site
– Insurance
– Authorisation under exceptional circumstances

CE 5611 - 2011

Accepting delivery on a vehicle and

unloading
• Takingg delivery
y on vehicle,, on site and unloadingg under the
responsibility of erection contractor
• Damage should be noted prior to unloading
• Cause for refusal agreed upon
• Where storage on site is needed, the erector should be fully
responsible including handling, correct positioning, etc.

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Accepting Delivery
• Adequate storage space on site if needed
• Arrival and removal of elements co-ordinated between
different parties

CE 5611 - 2011

Erection
Even if q
quality
y of p
precasting
g is ggood,, the success of the entire
project will depend on the quality of workmanship of the
erector
Preparation
– Access to the structure
– Unobstructed clearance around the building
– Access to window and floor areas
– Benchmark and building lines

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Tasks
Erection includes
– removing units from delivery vehicle
– removing units from onsite storage
– rotating to correct attitude
– raising to the required elevation
– placing in position
– adjusting
– connecting
– caulking
Erection drawing should show sequence of erection

CE 5611 - 2011

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CE 5611 - 2011

Personnel and Equipment

• Q
Qualified personnel
p and suitable equipment
q p required
q
• Organisation of erection, planning of production, specific
arrangements on site, access and possible routes
should be carefully co-ordinated and studied
• Responsible site erection leader to ensure co-ordination
and site discipline

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Personnel and Equipment

• Where the manufacturer is not involved in erection, he
should have a representative on site to observe, advise and
report on erection methods

CE 5611 - 2011

Erection Documents and preparatory work

All data relevant to erection should be available:

• General drawings of the structure and all lines
and levels
• Special erection drawings
• Drawings showing placing of machines, tower
or mobile
bil cranes, a knowledge
k l d off their
th i
capacity and their turning and lifting speed

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CE 5611 - 2011

Erection Documents and Preparatory Work

• Drawings showing access, proposed routes for cranes and
lorries, drawing attention to underground services,
drains, cellars, electric cables, water pipes and such
like
• A list of elements, their characteristics, length, width, mass,
type, code no, and a list of accessories necessary for
connecting them and for their stability after placing

CE 5611 - 2011

Erection Documents and Preparatory Work

• A topographical survey showing all spot levels and

basic points necessary for starting construction
• Other information include infrastructural and
existing structure, capable of withstanding forces
due to erection of prefabricated elements,
information on the above which can be used for
siting and placing

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Site erection and provisional fixing of elements

• All precast elements should be furnished to the job site in a
clean and acceptable condition and kept in such condition
until erected.
• The erector is normally responsible for any chipping,
spalling, cracking or other damage to the units after
delivery to the job site.

CE 5611 - 2011

Site erection and provisional fixing of elements

• The ideal sequence of precast concrete erection

is the unloading of the member directly to its
proper location on the structure without storing
the member on the job site.
• At all times, the necessary measures shall be
taken to ensure temporary stability of the
erected structure and to avoid any damage
prior to final fixing.

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Site erection and provisional fixing of elements

• All means of wedging and protection shall be designed in
such a way that they do not cause any damage, staining or
other deterioration of the elements.

CE 5611 - 2011

Adjusting placed elements and final fixing

• In general, adjusting elements during erection means that
there can be a preliminary alignment which can be checked
later.
• Final setting and final connections should be executed in
accordance with the drawings.

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Adjusting placed elements and final fixing

• Checking of final setting should be done by the leader of
the erection gang after each erection stage and deviations
with respect to the drawings should be reported to the
architect and recorded in the site journal.

CE 5611 - 2011

Erection tolerances
Unless more severe conditions are required
q the following
g erection
tolerances are permissible:

Horizontal position: ± 5 mm in x and y directions

Plumb: ± 3 mm per element
Width of joint: ± 5 mm on a nominal joint of
200 mm

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Erection tolerances
• It is often possible to correct some larger production
tolerances during erection.
• In addition, the prescribed dimensions for height, width
and length of the completed building should be respected to
within 0.1%

CE 5611 - 2011

Erection Tolerances
• The theoretical line, both horizontal and vertical, should be
respected with the same tolerance of ± 0.1% for each storey
when they are seen from the front, and deviations in profile
should not exceed ± 10 mm.

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Erection
At the end of each day work should be properly
protected against damage by
– high wind
– rain
– snow
– vandalism, etc.
Protection from damage g and stainingg resulting
g
from accidental impact, grouting, concrete
placing, painting or caulking when these
operations are in progress

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Things to do
• Erector must exercise care to avoid unnecessary loads on
the units, the building frame, or connections
• Identification of units very important.
– System must show
• final position
• date of erection

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Things to do
• At the time of fabrication units must be marked to show
– date of manufacture
– top of unit
– sometimes weight of unit
• During erection, guide fixtures are usually useful

CE 5611 - 2011

Final connections
• The execution of all final connections between elements
should be in accordance with the drawings (filling with
mortar , concreting after placing of reinforcement,
grouting, welding, bolting or unbolting) and checked by the
consulting engineer

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Final Connections
• Responsibility for the execution of connections should be
determined in advance
• This should be assumed by the general contractor or by the
erection firm.

CE 5611 - 2011

Checking of elements - repair and protection

• After erection, an inventory of the elements should be
agreed between the general contractor and the erection
firm
• In case of later damage for which the general contractor
may be held responsible, repairs shall be carried out at his
expense.

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Repair and Protection

• In all cases, repairs shall be carried out by the
manufacturers
• The general contractor shall be responsible for the good
preservation of elements after the completion of erection
and up to provisional acceptance by the architect and shall
ensure their protection against dirt, weather, etc.

CE 5611 - 2011

Protection

• Rain water,
water or water from hoses used during
the construction , can cause discoloration of
exposed precast concrete by washing across
building materials (such as steel, concrete, or
wood) and then across the precast element.
• The General Contractor should provide and
maintain temporary protection to prevent
damage or staining of exposed precast concrete
during construction operations after
installation.

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Protection
• Particular care should be taken to avoid washing of the
precast element by site water.
• Dirt, mortar, and debris from concrete placing should not
be permitted to remain on the precast concrete and should
be washed off with clean water.

CE 5611 - 2011

Security on site

• The storage of elements on site shall be planned

and carried out in such a way as to avoid any
damage either in placing them or lifting them
again.
• The handling equipment for the erection shall
be kept in a location laid down by the general
contractor so as to avoid any use or damage by
unauthorized third parties, which is likely to
prejudice site safety.

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