Optimization of precast concrete production technology

Introduction. The article deals with the problems of increasing the efficiency of precast concrete production technology in order to solve the issue of ensuring the required indicators of construction and technical properties of products at existing enterprises of the construction industry with no additional investment costs for their reconstruction and technical re-equipment. The aim of the work of increasing the efficiency of the production of precast reinforced concrete products is to optimize the parameters of the processes of preparing the concrete mixture as well as heat and humidity treatment of manufactured products by means of developing a two-stage method of preparing the concrete mixture and introducing a step-by-step mode into heat and humidity treatment. Materials and Methods. The article provides a brief description of the substantive aspects of optimizing the parameters of technological operations for the preparation of concrete mixtures as well as heat and moisture treatment of precast reinforced concrete products using the example of the production of PB-type bar bridges. The manufacturing of precast reinforced concrete products using local aggregates with a high content of dusty clay particles, which determines an increase in cement consumption, is accepted as the basic object of the research. Research Results. The proposed technology for optimizing the production modes of precast reinforced concrete makes it possible to reduce the consumption of cement and superplasticizer additives at the existing enterprises of the construction industry with no additional material and investment costs for reconstruction and technical re-equipment while using local aggregates with a high content of dusty clay particles. Discussion and Conclusion. The application of the set of measures being developed improves the conditions for defect–free structuring of concrete and makes it possible to reduce the consumption of the most costly components of the concrete mixture, i.e., cement and the chemical additive superplasticizer. Optimization of the precast concrete production technology ensures the directed structuring of concrete and the achievement of standardized product quality indicators. In each specific case of optimizing technological solutions at each specific enterprise, it is a prerequisite to adjust the prescription and technological solutions put forward in the study. An additional effect of the implementation of the technological techniques developed in the study will be an increase in the indicators of the ecological state of the environment and a reduction in the cost of enriching local aggregates.