by PCI Committee on Parking Structures. © 2004
the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute.
The elements of parking
structures, more than any other building type, require routine maintenance.
This manual is intended for the owners, operators, architects, and engineers of
precast parking structures in order to assist them in extending their
structure’s service life. The recommendations and procedures offered herewith
will hopefully serve as a valuable resource for maintaining existing structures
and for architects and engineers during the initial design phase of new parking
structures.
Unlike other buildings, the
structural components of parking structures are exposed directly to weather and
other environmental conditions. Extreme temperature changes, rain, snow,
deicing salts, road grime, and dampness directly influence the durability of
parking structures and have the potential to create performance problems. The
potential severity of these problems will depend on the geographic location of
the structure and local environmental conditions. In all locations, the added
burden of direct exposure dictates that more maintenance attention is given to
the components of parking structures than other building types.
Based on national surveys,
precast concrete parking structures offer superior resistance to deterioration.
Since PCI certified plants are monitored for quality control, fabrication and
operating procedures, the factory produced concrete elements are manufactured
with a high degree of quality and craftsmanship. The controlled plant environment
also enables the use of durable concrete mixes with specialty curing that
conventional field placed concrete systems typically do not achieve. This clear
advantage of precast concrete gives the owner/operator a decisive edge from the
start. However, without proper maintenance any structure’s life will be comprised.
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