Site Visit 3 - Concrete Precast Panel Construction

Dandenong Road Carnegie, Melbourne.

Bracing/propping can be seen, which keeps the concrete pre-cast panels stable. It is interesting to note that full height bracing is only required for the exposed panels, the rest of the building is partially strengthened by bracing, but mainly supported by the first floor level.

Visible in this photo is a combination of timber and steel formwork supporting the dead and live loads, while the first floor concrete slab completes the drying process.

Timber and steel formwork is visible on the column; bracing has been provided in two directions and is at right angles. The formwork extends down to the bottom of the column; this is necessary because during the concrete pour pressure increases with depth, so this then helps to prevent deflection. Also visible are safety rails on the first floor level.

Shown here is bracing at 30-60° for the horizontal concrete pre-cast panels.

A Band beam can be seen in this photo, while the Bondek is exposed, forming the underside of the first floor concrete slab. Also visible are piles of formwork which have just been dismantled as the concrete setting process has past the critical stage, although bracing is still required for the columns and pre-cast panels to prevent collapse of the first floor level.