Standards for precast concrete

Precast Concrete: EN 13369 and Precast Products

*based on Dipl-Ing Dieter Schwerm, Bad Honnef, Building with structural precast components: practical implementation, Betonwerk+Fertigeil-Technik BFT 3/2005. www.bft-online.info/en)

Precast product standards    

With the exception of EN 13369, all structural precast product standards are mandated. However the product standards all refer to EN 13369: Common rules for precast concrete products. And thanks to EN 13369, the product standards are all structured in the same way.

The product standards (see table) are written 'by exception' to EN 13369 i.e. they either accept what is in EN 13369 or have mirror clauses that elucidate or supersede those in EN 13369. 

This approach was chosen in order to ensure that:

• The product standards are all based on a uniform approach. 
• Conflicting statements were avoided - a possibility that could not be entirely ruled out in the early phase of the standardisation work. Having been established in EN 13369, the higher-ranking provisions in the various product standards, should not differ from each other. 

As an example, in regard to 'mechanical resistance' EN 13369 Cl 4.3.3 says to either design to EN 1992, use design based on EN 1992 aided by physical testing or test. BS EN 1168 hollow core slabs Cl 4.3.3.2 goes into some depth concerning design but says nothing about 'verification' based on EN 1992 aided by physical testing or testing.

Structure of the product standards

The most important chapters refer to:

• the areas of application 
• the requirements made on: materials, manufacture and end product in particular, manufacturing tolerances, minimum dimensions, concrete cover, surface quality and the resistance to mechanical actions, ie the load-bearing capacity.  

Other clauses deal with:

• fire resistance, 
• behaviour in fire, 
• sound insulation, 
• durability, 
• safety in transport and during erection and 
• safety in use.  

One chapter is devoted to:

• test procedures, 
• conformity assessment, 
• labelling and 
• technical documentation. 

For most clauses, reference is simply made to EN 13369.  In other cases, the product standard defines appropriate rules, depending on the product characteristics. This is followed by normative and informative annexes, which also depend on the individual product.