Factors Affecting the Use of Precast Concrete Systems in the United States

Abstract

The use of precast concrete systems offers several advantages such as speedy erection, higher quality, lower project cost, better sustainability, and enhanced occupational health and safety. In spite of these advantages, the share of precast concrete systems in the U.S. building construction market is very low. The factors behind this low market share are discussed in several studies. This study aims to identify the current factors that affect the use of precast concrete systems, compare them with the ones that prevailed in 1995, and figure out what has changed through the last 11 years in the American precast concrete industry. The findings of an extensive survey indicate that most of the dominating barriers to the extensive use of precast concrete systems in 1995 are either eliminated or drastically reduced, while some of them still prevail. Practitioners should be well informed about the factors that affect the use of precast concrete systems if these systems are to be used more extensively.