Decision guide · 6 min
Precast concrete or steel for a factory building?
Published:
Short answer: For spans up to 40 m, where fire resistance and low maintenance cost are priorities, a precast concrete system is usually the stronger option. Reinforced concrete members reach REI 60–120 without added protection and need no periodic painting or corrosion maintenance. Steel is the better fit where spans exceed 40 m, foundations must stay light, or the structure is expected to be dismantled and relocated.
Span and height
Precast concrete systems are economical in the 12–40 m span band. Above that band, steel truss solutions should be evaluated.
Fire resistance
Reinforced concrete members reach REI 60–120 without additional protection. Steel systems require intumescent paint or encasement for equivalent resistance, which also affects insurance premiums.
Maintenance and life-cycle cost
A precast concrete building requires no periodic painting or corrosion maintenance. In a 25-year life-cycle calculation this difference should be counted as a separate item of the total investment.
Programme
Production in the factory and foundation works on site run in parallel. For single-storey industrial buildings this parallel flow shortens the site programme.
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