Evaluating the Performance of Precast Concrete Components for the Application in Low-Cost Housing

In urban and rural India, particularly in infrastructure development, there is an urgent need for innovative and sustainable fast-track construction methods and products at affordable costs. Currently, most of the construction in India is done with cast-in-situ concrete. Precast concrete construction is a method in which building components are mass-produced off-site on an assemblage line using advanced equipment and then shifted to the building site, where they are set up using building cranes and other equipment. A M30 grade concrete was designed, and it was used to cast precast concrete components. The axial compressive load and moment due to wind load were calculated on the column post size 150 mm × 150 mm cross section and 1 m long. In addition, the flexural test was conducted on precast wall panels of size 2 m in length × 0.3 m wide and 50 mm thick and precast beams of height 2 m in length and 150 mm × 150 mm in cross section. Precast roofing elements and soak pits were cast and tested for strength and performance. From the observations made in the present study, it can be understood that the precast structural members are stable and compatible, and they can be used in large-scale construction projects such as low-cost housing, rural housing, and other suitable purposes.