Prestigious precast-focussed VW project to be showcased at “Advancing Concrete”

London Constructing Excellence Club to hear of innovative hybrid construction project

Simon Harold, Business Development Director of PCE Ltd, will be presenting a case study of the newly completed 5 storey Volkswagen centre in Brentford, where an innovative procurement route and collaboration with PCE ltd simplified the supply of a range of precast concrete elements from multiple sources, including some innovative products and use of BIM.

The event called Advancing Concrete, will also feature Elaine Toogood, Senior Architect at The Concrete Centre who will present an overview of new developments in the manufacture of concrete and concrete products, including low carbon cements, pigmented ready mix, use of admixture, self-compacting concrete, fibre re-enforcement and  permeable concrete.

The event will take place at the London Capital Club, 15 Abchurch Lane, EC4N 7BW on Tuesday 12 July 2016 at 6pm. 

Off-site precast concrete

Over 1500 precast concrete components, some weighing in excess of 20 tonnes, were manufactured in six different off-site precast concrete factories. Just-in-time delivery to the VW dealership was co-ordinated to ensure a fast on-site construction programme was maintained.

Structural stability

The three stair and lift shafts that provide structural stability to the finished structure used a precast concrete box solution, rather than individual panels, enabling full height construction of these shafts including stairs and landings to be achieved in less than eight days. Most of the elevated showroom and car service areas do not have exposed concrete finishes, thus hollowcore flooring units were used with an in-situ structural concrete topping, supported by a precast frame (including Deltabeams) to ensure minimal downstands.