Tag: precast concrete panels

After completing hundreds of precast concrete wall projects, AFTEC is acutely aware of the safety risks revolving around concrete construction projects. Did you know that upwards of 44 crane-related deaths occur annually? When it comes to installing precast concrete walls, safety is of the utmost importance.

In this article, AFTEC wants to share a general process that helps improve safety and decrease the risk of injury while on a concrete construction project. Whether you’re a project manager needing a precast concrete wall or a manufacturer providing your customers with precast concrete products, this article will be insightful and helpful to you.

Improve Concrete Construction Safety

The number one priority of any construction project ought to be safety. You want your crew, operators, and more to be safe while they’re working on your project. Having operators that know thoroughly how to use their equipment, as well as a crew that understands the general operation of said equipment can work wonders. Finally, a site-safety plan should be mandatory for general operation and in case of emergency.

Your Precast Concrete Lifting Operation

Before you get your project moving forward, you want to make sure all workers have the proper training and certifications to be doing the jobs they’ve been assigned. This includes operators, managers, specialists and more. As mentioned above, you want a site-safety plan in place prior to work starting. Finally, you want to gather all lift directors, lift operators, crane hands, qualified riggers, and more are all briefed on crane location, lifting zones, crane radius, and assumed communications to make sure all runs smoothly.

Project Planning and Preparation

Before any of your lifting or other heavy equipment arrives, you will want to assess the bearing strength of the soil and ground. What’s more, you will want to take the time to identify any potential sub-surface hazards that could stop your project in its tracks.

Wet ground needs to be allowed to dry before work begins. Also, you may need to compact the soil to better support your lifting equipment. In some cases, you need to bring in dense organic or inorganic materials.

Once you have your ground situated, it’s time to look up. Many crane and lift operator hazards exist above ground in the form of power lines, obstructions, or wind. After the lifting zone is marked, it’s best for the crew to determine if the crane will at any point come within regulation distance to power lines or obstructions. If not, then the project can move forward.

Lower Safety Risks During Lifting Operations

No precast concrete wall lifting operation is a simple task. It involves a lot of planning and preparation. You will need to confirm a variety of factors before launching the project, including trained professionals, safety checks, technical precautions, and so much more. It’s no wonder precast concrete products are superior to other concrete solutions. They save time and allow for maximum wok efficiency. Here are some general tips on lowering safety risk on a concrete construction project:

#1. Make sure you have the proper certified and trained team on-site

Before any work begins, as mentioned above, confirm certifications, training, and experience. One of the worst feelings is discovering that an operator or crane hand doesn’t know what they’re doing entirely, and you have to halt progress to replace them. Or, progress slows because they’re qualified, but not good enough yet to keep up with your project pace. Double checking all of this information is going to save you a ton of time later.

#2. Triple check the load is secured

Your crane operator and crane hands should be given the time to double and even triple-check a load is rigged properly. A loose load can go from an accident to fatality quickly. Also, make sure your crew has the proper load securing equipment to do their job safely and effectively. Items like a basket, choker, vertical hitching, and sling hitches should all be assessed before being used, as well as available to be used when needed.

#3. Avoid overloading the lift

Intended load, environment, and actual load are three factors that will influence how an operator decides to lift a load. Overloading a lift is a mistake you want to avoid at all costs. This means communicating the lift’s load capacity prior to operation beginning. What’s more, overloading a lift or crane can cause it to tip, equipment to fail, or operator error, which can lead to destroying materials or worse, a fatality. Take note of other factors like wind, side loads, wheels, and added rigging weight to make sure your loads never get too heavy.

Concrete Construction Safety Importance

Above all else, safety is the most important factor in any concrete construction project. The livelihood of every crew member relies on this project being completed successfully, but they also are putting themselves at risk to complete the job. This means that you, project manager, are responsible for giving them the safest working environment possible.

AFTEC: Your Worldwide Leader in Precast Concrete Walls

Do you need a precast concrete wall or wall system? AFTEC serves customers nationwide, as well as sells manufacturers concrete wall systems. With experience in the concrete construction industry, AFTEC is aware of the safety precautions that need to be taken to make sure all crew members safely and successfully complete their projects. What’s more, we take safety seriously. If you need precast concrete wall products, contact AFTEC today to start the conversation.

The world is quickly changing all around us. Even in the concrete forming and construction industry, changes are being made. While the material being used hasn’t changed for decades (relatively), the technology is evolving. What’s more, the next generation of business owners and employees are entering the market. Millennials are slowly becoming a majority of the workforce globally, and it’s important to understand their motives for workings so that you can better attract great talent your company.

In this article, AFTEC is going to share seven tips on how to hire millennials into the construction and concrete forming industry. We’ve done our best to put together these tips to help you understand the aspirations and motivations of millennials.

7 Tips for Hiring Millennials

As the next generation enters the market, it’s important to shift your approach on how you hire them. An entire generation of people are looking for reason, purpose, and cause in the work that they do.

#1. Show how your company is making a positive impact in the world

Bentley University’s Center for Women and Business show that 84 percent of millennials want to help make a difference in the world. An important factor for millennials when looking for a career is that the company they choose to work for is making an actual positive impact in the world. It’s not enough to just say you are. You have to be able to show what you’re doing, and how it’s positively making a difference.

#2. Show how you’re innovating your industry

It’s not enough to be a steady Eddy in your industry. Upwards of 32 percent of the top talent coming from the Millennial generation believe creativity and innovation are essential skills to hold in the marketplace. Showing that you’re innovating in your industry validates their belief and gives them an opportunity to use their skills.

#3. Show how fun and social your company can be

If you haven’t heard the phrase “work-life balance” yet, you’re behind the eight ball. 52 percent of millennials are looking for a fun, social environment that gives them the ability to be autonomous and create their own work-life balance. While most people spend more time at work then they do at home, a fun, social culture can be a huge draw for talented millennials.

#4. Recruit where millennials spend their time

It can be easy to simply put out a job opening to your network, but who are you missing out on by not using other digital resources like social media or job boards? Ask yourself: where do millennials spend most of their time? For most, job boards is the quick and easy answer. However, millennials use the internet to search for creative, innovative companies. Having an online presence is vital to hiring the top talent from the incoming generation.

#5. Create a flexible work environment

As mentioned above, work-life balance is pretty important to millenials. However, flexibility is the main factor to this balance. 75 percent of millennials say that companies should be flexible with their work hours as long as the work gets done. A rigid structure can deter top talent from joining your company.

#6. Filter out “slackers” with your interview process

You may have heard or believe that millennials are “slackers” when it comes to their jobs. In fact, millennials are hard working and motivated to do more with their time than most others. The caveat, however, is that they need to feel connected to their work. If they aren’t able to plug in their purpose, they will quickly disengage and move on with their lives. Here are some tips from Lucas Group on how to filter out the “slackers” you know exist out there with millenials:

• Were you employed during high school and/or college?
• Which accomplishment are you most proud of?
• What’s the story leading up to your most memorable mistake?
• What do you attribute your success to up to this point in time?
• Who have you learned from the most in your professional career thus far?

Want to know some warning signs? Egocentric answers. The answers that focus on the candidates natural talent is a red flag that they may be a bad hire. You want to find those who have real world examples alongside real world results. The types of people who can show you the people, places, and things they’ve worked with, impacted, and utilized to meet their goals.

#7. Build self-paced learning opportunities into the job description and responsibilities

Continuous professional development is a priority to the millennial workforce. If they don’t see some path to get better while they work for you, they will find other opportunities. 81 percent of millennials say that they want self-directed, self-paced learning opportunities to advance their own careers. Make it clear what each role the candidate may be applying for will have opportunities for individual and team learning and working opportunities.

AFTEC: Your Worldwide Leader in Precast Concrete Wall Systems

As a manufacturer, you have many duties to fulfill. One of them is hiring new talent into the company to grow it. One way you can offer new jobs to new candidates is to become an AFTEC precast concrete wall system manufacturer. If you’re interested in selling a new product, hiring new talent, and impacting your customers in a positive way, contact AFTEC today to start the conversation.

As a worldwide leader in precast concrete wall systems, AFTEC is here to help you get your system up and running as soon as possible. We assist manufacturers in serving the residential, commercial, industrial, community, and public works sectors with precast concrete walls. Our wall systems offer an innovative, visual structural design that reduces installation time and improves installation efficiency.

What’s Different With StoneTree® Precast Concrete Wall System?

In 1999, the first StoneTree® precast concrete wall system was developed. The unique part of this system is that it’s vertical, not horizontal. A majority of precast wall systems in the industry offer horizontal solutions. A vertical solution improves efficiency and increases productivity.

Why Choose StoneTree® for Your Concrete Forming Project

The StoneTree® decorative precast concrete wall system is the superior choice to any other wall system in that it offers the following benefits:

• Potential for creative design — The variety of decorative options allows for a unique aesthetic for every project.
• Stain for natural appearance — You can take the natural aesthetics offered to the next level and stain your StoneTree® wall for added aesthetic.
• Requires little maintenance — For most, an annual cleaning and inspection is enough to keep your wall maintained and functioning properly.
• Add a distinctive look — with creative design and staining opportunities, the wall system can add a distinct look to your concrete forming project.
• Durable for decades — Precast concrete walls made from the StoneTree® system are durable for decades and offers reliability unmatched in the industry.
• Outlast other materials — When you think of stone, brick, stucco, and more, you probably think of long-lasting materials. Precast concrete walls last longer.

Integrated Panel and Wall System

When you choose StoneTree® as your precast concrete wall system, you get more than just another concrete product. The integrated panel and wall system offers you the ability to:

• Increase installation time due to ease of use and self-aligning walls
• Improve product strength with secure caisson footing and wall connections
• Boost installation safety without using bracing or grouting
• Engineer the walls to meet a variety of needs and standards

 

 

Become a StoneTree® Precast Concrete Wall Manufacturer

If you’re looking for a business opportunity, you need not look any further. Not only will you be providing a worldwide leading product to your customers, and you will be able to enjoy the various benefits of improved installation efficiencies and production. You can purchase a license in conjunction with the equipment and get started making a difference in your community, city, region, or state today!

AFTEC: Your Worldwide Leader in Precast Concrete Forming Systems

There’s more to becoming a precast concrete wall manufacturer than you might think. Not only do you gain the opportunity to help customers in your area, but you also gain the ability to work with a worldwide leader in the industry. The benefits of working with AFTEC are numerous, and we’re excited to hear about your interest in becoming a manufacturer. Are you ready to start the conversation? Give us a call or contact us through our website and let’s connect.

A precast concrete combination fence is created from a special type of concrete known as precast concrete. It’s a versatile and durable construction product that is used in a variety of residential and commercial projects.

Precast concrete combination fences use natural stone and concrete, along with architectural finishes, to create a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing system of fencing. These fences can be textured with stone on both sides of the wall since the concrete panels are formed, off-site, in a pre-made mold. These concrete combination fences are preferred because of their inherent strength and functionality, as well as their visual appeal.

So, how are precast concrete combination fences produced?

How this type of concrete fencing is made is part of its advantage. The benefits of using precast concrete are just part of the reason this construction product is preferred by both users as well as technicians.

To create precast fencing, a reusable mold or form is used. Then, the concrete is cured in a controlled environment. Once set, it is transported to the construction site and then lifted into place. This differs from standard concrete fencing. With standard concrete, the cement mixture is poured into site-specific molds and is then cured on-site.

Because this solution has proven to be so popular, the process has been improved over the years; this system has enhanced the look and feel of precast concrete. Technology has also been developed to support the efficient placement of these panels. For example, rigid footing support using a steel beam offers a safe column-footing connection. Precast fencing walls that have a separate column and panel use a rebar and grouted cell connection.

The very nature of precast concrete fences can also capture the natural detail and textures from naturally-occurring stone, giving both sides of the fence panels the look and feel of hand-laid stone walls.

Benefits of a Precast Concrete Combination Fence

One of the most pressing reasons to build precast fencing is its use as a concrete retaining wall. Functionally speaking, these walls provide the perfect support for keeping soil held into its place and stopping it from getting loose and running off.

If a structure (such as a house) is built on a hill or slope, concrete retaining walls keep the soil around the backyard or front yard from sliding loose. This helps to avoid flooding and keeps the structure in place, preventing it from damaging other nearby structures. Concrete retaining walls stop sinkholes from occurring and are easy and affordable to maintain.

 

 

One of the greatest draws for homeowners, however, is that a precast combination fence intended as a concrete retaining wall can enhance the aesthetic appeal of one’s backyard or front yard. Nobody wants a grey concrete slab to simply sit there on their property — even if it’s integral to the protection of the structure.

Precast concrete fences can offer a beautiful natural stone finish. They can also be custom designed to offer little ‘nooks,’ which can be used as spaces for planters, lighting, statues and other patio elements. Also, they can be combined with decorative iron for an attractive look.
Finally, precast concrete combination fences are perfect for both industrial and commercial business. At AFTEC, we offer the following industrial and commercial products:

• Sound/noise walls
• Highway sound barriers
• Utility walls
• Security walls
• Retaining walls
• Boundary and perimeter walls
• Combination walls

Precast Concrete Fence FAQs

What does “precast” concrete mean?

Precast concrete fences are used in the construction of buildings and homes. These concrete slabs are cast in a reusable mold or “form” which is cured in a dedicated precast plant under the watchful eye of experienced casters.

Once set, the slabs are then transported to the construction site and lifted into place. They’re then connected, depending on the needs of the site.

How thick are precast concrete panels?

Precast concrete fences have a thickness of at least 125 mm if reinforced, and a 150 mm thickness if there is a vertical project bar from the footing. Panels can go up to 175 mm in thickness if one to two layers of central mass is used.

What is the difference between precast and pre-stressed concrete?

Precast concrete is essentially any panel of concrete that is cast or set off-site, based on a pre-made mold. It is also cured and hardened off-site. Only then is it transported to the site, ready for use.

Meanwhile, pre-stressed concrete refers to a process that the concrete undergoes. The concrete is placed under compression to overcome any weakness in tension. This is a very useful practice as it eliminates some limitations on span and load, making it strong and perfect for supporting roofs, floors, bridges, and walls.

What is the advantage of precast concrete?

Precast concrete fences can be functional and beautiful. Because the concrete is mixed off-site, engineers and technicians can exercise a high degree of control over the mix and ensure that all materials are kept pure in the combination mix.

Once set, they can also apply natural finishes to both sides of the panels, giving it the textured look and feel of natural stone. Texture is highly attractive for residential applications and for businesses who want an aesthetically pleasing security wall.

Functionally-speaking, precast concrete combination fences offer a high degree of protection and are chosen as a retaining wall solution. When a structure is built on a sloping hill or is prone to major elements like wind, rain, and sunshine, precast concrete combination fences are the perfect answer.

Is precast concrete sustainable?

Precast concrete has an inherently sustainable composition, giving it some natural advantages. Because it is set off-site through a mold, it contributes to the reduction of excess construction waste, site disturbance, and noise that might otherwise occur from setting the concrete on-site.

Precast concrete fences are flexible: when a building is being expanded, the panels can be reused or added on to. If demolished, the panels can be reused in other applications. And since the precise process is self-contained, the form or mold can be reused up to 40 or 50 times, without major maintenance.

A concrete wall forming system is a reusable form (a large mold) that allows a manufacturer to create sections of a concrete wall. Columns connect the sections to form a continuous wall.
At AFTEC, we manufacture two main types of concrete wall form systems: the StoneTree® system and the SoundTec®.

The StoneTree® system casts both the column and panel in the same mold, saving builders both time and money. Since it requires only one mold, both builder’s equipment cost and construction time are decreased significantly. These walls duplicate the look of stone wall formwork yet are much sturdier and easier to build.

The SoundTec® system casts panels that incorporate materials to reflect or absorb sound. These panels come with separate concrete or steel support columns and are also available in various sizes and widths. We can design a SoundTec® wall-forming system in a variety of textures to create an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

We also create custom concrete forming systems to meet the needs of builders who require specialized forms to create walls with properties to meet various needs, be they functional or aesthetic. Like the StoneTree® and SoundTec® systems, we use only the finest materials to make these forms; we build them to last. Customers who want to explore custom wall systems meet with our engineers, who will design a custom form that is easy for builders to use.

Why Is a Concrete Wall Forming System Better?

Quick construction: Compared to traditional concrete wall-building, concrete wall forming systems allow builders to create several sections at a time. These sections are easy to install, even with fewer workers.

Takes weather out of the picture: During inclement weather, a builder can move a concrete wall forming system under a roof or into an enclosed area. Work can continue, despite the weather—unlike with the traditional wall-building process. A StoneTree® system produces walls that can even resist most hurricanes.

Even energy absorption: Despite builders’ best efforts, traditional concrete walls lack energy-absorbing consistency since they are not mass-produced. This causes them to absorb energy at different rates, causing them to crack at various temperatures. Wall form work crafted from a mold results in precast sections that all with the same properties. Temperature fluctuations, therefore, will not have as much effect on walls built using concrete forming systems.

A variety of design choices without the cost or hassle of natural stone: Natural stone or brick walls are beautiful, but their structural integrity is tough to maintain. Mortar becomes loose with the passage of time as water, wind, and use take their toll. For a single-family home, that may not be much of an issue. For walls surrounding office buildings, apartment complexes, or large facilities, that can be a huge problem. There is simply too much of the wall to maintain. With a concrete wall forming system, you can have the best of both worlds. Our wall formwork comes in a wide variety of natural-looking stone and brick designs that could fool even the fussiest designer. And it’s a whole lot more cost-effective.

Quick construction time: With precast wall sections, what could take days only takes hours. For builders who want to end up casting the lowest bid yet provide top-quality work, these concrete forming systems are the answer.

Ability to reflect, absorb, or block sounds: When they use a concrete wall forming system, builders can incorporate acoustic materials into the construction. Instead of incorporating these materials in a multi-step process, one section at a time (as you would with manually constructed walls), a builder can incorporate them in several sections at once during the molding process.

 

 

Reusable: Concrete wall forming systems use a rugged mold that builders can use time after time, unlike the temporary frames that manual walls require. This saves time, money, and resources.

Mold- and insect-resistant: Sturdy wall form work from a mold is more resistant to insects (who can crawl into tiny cracks in other types of walls), mold, mildew, and rot than either natural stone, brick, concrete block, or manually built concrete walls.

Better heat and cold protection for buildings inside the wall: A wall built with a concrete wall form system has greater thermal mass, more insulating power, and lower air filtration. For walls enclosing office complexes or residential developments in areas where the weather fluctuates greatly, this kind of wall formwork can reduce the energy it takes residents to heat or cool their offices or apartment buildings.

How It Works

Preparation: A concrete wall forming system uses a specially constructed pit, into which a builder lowers the mold. Each mold has a set of easily interchangeable liners, which change the appearance of the finished product: stone-look walls, brick-look walls, smooth, or even a customized appearance. Molds can also be constructed to allow for openings at various locations across the wall. At the site, workers install caisson footings for the wall, providing strength, stability, and ease of installation.

The molding process: Next, builders pour concrete into the mold from above, allowing the wall to form vertically. This allows air to move between the sections of the mold, drying it more evenly. Vertical molding also allows both sides of the wall form work to have decorative features.

Removal and setup: After the sections are formed and dry, builders use a crane to pull the wall sections out of the mold and move them into place along the construction site. Alternatively, builders can manufacture these sections at their own facility or have them made at a precast plant. If so, they use the crane to load the sections onto a truck, which can then deliver them to the construction site.

With AFTEC’s efficient concrete forming systems, an on-site three-person crew, including a foreman, can manufacture and install a 90-foot section of a six-foot wall within a single day. With a well-trained crew using an AFTEC concrete wall forming system, a construction company can have a superior wall in half the time with only half the lifting equipment needed for traditional solutions.

To discover more about the advantages of AFTEC’s concrete wall forming systems for your construction company, research our customers’ most often-asked questions and get in touch with our knowledgeable customer care team for a consultation.

Are Concrete Walls Soundproof?

Concrete is a common material for outdoor concrete construction walls. Not only are concrete walls sturdy, they can provide aesthetic value as well. They are often used outside of homes, in communities, surrounding business strips, and even along highways. You have probably noticed these walls without realizing it as they have become one of the most practical solutions for noise pollution today. Concrete is an amazing material that will provide solid soundproof protection for those who need it.

How Does Sound Work?

Sound is all around us. From the humming of vehicles to the blaring of horns, traffic noise is just one of the many outdoor sounds that people want to muffle. People who live near airports, commercial businesses, and public transit deal with especially high decibel levels around the clock. Not only are all the extra noises annoying, they can also cause stress within the body. Chronic exposure to noise pollution can lead to health issues ranging from hearing damage to raised blood pressure.

Fortunately, concrete walls provide a solution. Many businesses and communities are investing in these noise barriers and finding them to make a huge difference. You may be wondering just how soundproof concrete walls are. This is an important question to answer when making your decision about what type of wall to put up as a noise barrier. To understand how concrete walls serve as a noise barrier, we must first dive into the science of sound.

Sound is energy that is produced by movement. When something makes a sound, it creates vibrations, which are energy waves moving back and forth. Sometimes the vibration may be fast and other times they may be slow. As the energy from the vibrations pushes away from the source of the object, it moves through the air and creates sound waves. These waves may be tall and close together or short and farther apart depending on the frequency of the vibration.

The sound waves move through the air similar to the way an ocean wave moves. It travels in a wave-like motion, vibrating the air until it reaches your ears, at which point you perceive the vibrations as sound. Now, although sound waves and ocean waves both use energy and look similar in the way they move, there is one important distinction. The vibration from ocean waves moves up and down while the movement continues forward. With sound waves, the vibration pushes the waves forward with the energy through a process of compression (pulling everything close together) and rarefactions (spreading everything out).

Sound waves vary in their intensity as well as their amplification, which means they may be loud or soft. If a sound wave is tall and each subsequent wave is close to it, then the sound will be louder, whereas if the waves are shorter and spread out from each other, the sound is perceived as quieter.

How Do Concrete Walls Work to Reduce Sound?

To determine how to cancel out noise, we need to understand how sound changes with varying conditions. We know a few things already about how sound works. For example, if you move away from the source of a sound, it will become quieter.

The reason for this is that sound waves lose energy as they travel through space. You also may know that sound waves need a vehicle to carry them to the receiver. Otherwise, we won’t hear the sound. Sound waves can travel through an area that has air. However, sound can also reflect off objects, bouncing off a surface and heading back into the direction they came from.

 

 

You’ve probably experienced this if you’ve ever clapped your hands in a tunnel. The sound waves you created reflected back towards you, and you heard the echo.
Finally, sound waves can also be absorbed. When sound waves collide with an object, one of three things will happen. First, there may be some reflection due to the material of the object. Secondly, a certain amount of the sound wave is transmitted; and lastly, the object absorbs part of the sound wave. When absorption occurs, the sound wave is converted into heat energy.

So, how does sound travel through concrete? Concrete walls are designed to reflect noise towards the source and absorb some of the energy from the sound wave. Most of the sound energy isn’t traveling through the wall, which is why it provides such an effective noise barrier.

Benefits of Using Concrete Walls for Soundproofing

Businesses and communities benefit greatly from concrete walls. Here are some benefits of a concrete wall for a residential area:

• Relieves stress in the home associated with high noise levels
• Children can play outdoors and still hear their parents calling them to come in
• Provides a barrier between the highway and the community
• Promotes safety
• Blocks out the noise from a railway
• Here are some benefits of a concrete wall for an industrial business area:
• Encourages more business because of the peaceful atmosphere
• Blocks the sound of loading trucks at industrial locations
• Partitions off a mall strip or shopping plaza from a highway

In addition to these uses, concrete walls are also great for highways, animal enclosures, and golf courses. Any outdoor place that needs to be sectioned off for privacy, safety, and noise control is the perfect place for a concrete wall.

Just how soundproof is concrete? Because it acts to reflect and absorb sound waves, concrete is an effective barrier for noise. It is also known for being a durable, long-lasting material for building and civil works projects.

Contact Us

Have you been thinking about a precast concrete wall for your business, residential area, or community? Maybe you have some additional questions that you want to be answered.  AFTEC has the answers. As a worldwide leader in designing and manufacturing precast concrete walls, AFTEC is an expert and pioneer in the industry; we were first to develop vertically cast forming systems for concrete walls.

Also, we offer several attractive finish and texture styles so your concrete wall will be an asset aesthetically as well as functionally. If you would like more information about how these amazing concrete walls can benefit your residential or business community, contact AFTEC for a consultation.