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 (i.e. the EC asked CEN to write and publish them: Mandates, CE marking and National Application Standards). 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.

Published BS EN standards for precast concrete
Standard	Title
BS EN 1168:2005	Hollow core slabs
BS EN 12794:2005	Foundation piles
BS EN 12843:2004	Masts and poles
BS EN 13224:2004	Ribbed floor elements
BS EN 13225:2004	Linear structural elements
BS EN 13369:2004	Common rules for precast concrete products
BS EN 13693:2004	Special roof elements
BS EN 13747:2005	Floor plates for floor elements
BS EN 13978-1:2005	Precast concrete garages
BS EN 14650:2005	General rules for factory production control of metallic fibred concrete
BS EN 14843:2007	Stairs
BS EN 14844:2006	Box culverts
BS EN 14991:2007	Foundation elements
BS EN 14992:2007	Wall elements
BS EN 15050:2007	Bridge elements
EN 14990	Road traffic noise reducing devices and barriers

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.