Beams and columns precast reinforced concrete
A structural frame built from repeatable elements
We produce reinforced concrete beams and columns in normal-weight concrete. They act as internal or external load-bearing members, forming the structural frames of halls, office buildings and multi-storey residential buildings.
Cross-sections and reinforcement are selected to carry the design loads with the shortest possible installation time. Mould-based production delivers the same geometry in the first and the last element of a series, which translates into fast, trouble-free assembly of the structure on site.
These elements appear in enquiries as concrete beams, ready-made reinforced concrete beams, structural concrete columns and ready-made concrete columns — all of these terms refer to the precast elements described on this page.
Beam and column parameters
Beam and column elements are produced in accordance with the harmonised standard EN 13225:2013, under assessment system 2+ and certificate 0761-CPR-1149 issued by IBMB MPA TU Braunschweig.
EN 13225:2013 · Assessment system 2+ · Certificate 0761-CPR-1149 · IBMB MPA TU Braunschweig
- Material
- Normal-weight concrete
- Concrete classes
- C20/25, C30/37, C35/45, C50/60
- Compressive strength
- fck from 25 to 60 N/mm²
- Reinforcing steel
- ftk = 550 MPa, fyk = 500 MPa
- Function
- Internal and external load-bearing members
- Harmonised standard
- EN 13225:2013
- Assessment system
- 2+
- Certificate
- 0761-CPR-1149, IBMB MPA TU Braunschweig
- Cross-sections, reinforcement and concrete class are selected individually on the basis of the design documentation and load verification.
- Sound insulation, fire resistance and thermal properties are determined in line with the technical documentation of the specific element.
Typical applications
Frame elements used wherever the structure needs to go up quickly and with repeatable accuracy.
Industrial halls
Long-span beam-and-column layouts erected without formwork or wet trades.
Office buildings
A structural frame that allows storeys to be divided flexibly with partition walls.
Residential buildings
Load-bearing members combined with precast floor slabs and walls in a single system.
Car parks and retail buildings
Concrete classes up to C50/60 for structures with high load-bearing and exposure requirements.
What determines the price of precast elements
Precast elements are not priced from a per-metre price list — every element is designed for a specific project, and the difference between two projects of the same floor area can reach several tens of percent. So instead of a rate, we explain what actually determines the figure in your offer.
We prepare a quote within about a week of receiving complete documentation: dimensioned floor plans, sections, elevations and the site location with a postcode. The offer covers production, transport and installation — each item is priced separately, so you can see where there is room for savings.
- Element repeatability
- The single biggest variable. The same element produced in a series is markedly cheaper than a one-off, because the mould and production set-up are spread across many casts. A design based on a few repeatable types works out cheaper than one with dozens of unique elements.
- Concrete class and reinforcement
- A higher class means more cement; higher loads mean more steel. Sizing for the actual loads, rather than with excess margin, can cut the cost without compromising the structure.
- Surface finish
- A smooth, as-cast surface from the mould is standard. Form-liner textures, acid etching or architectural concrete in category BA2 or BA3 require additional formwork and tighter controls, which shows in the price.
- Factory-fitted features
- Cast-in boxes, conduits, openings and corbels increase the element price but remove the cost of chasing and fixing on site. On larger series this usually works out cheaper than doing the work on site.
- Transport and size
- The price depends on the distance and the number of loads. Elements up to 3,85 × 9,00 m travel on a standard vehicle; larger ones require abnormal-load transport with an escort vehicle and permits, which changes the calculation significantly.
- Timing and season
- Production runs in parallel with the groundworks, so ordering early gives flexibility in the programme. Forced deadlines and next-day deliveries always cost more.
Beams and columns — questions
The questions investors and contractors ask most often. Yours is not here? Write to us — we'll give you a straight answer.
- When are precast columns used instead of masonry load-bearing walls?
- Wherever open space without structural walls is needed: in halls, retail buildings, car parks and buildings with large glazed areas. A beam-and-column layout also makes it easy to rearrange the space in the future.
- How is a column connected to the foundation?
- Most often via a pocket foundation or a connection using cast-in plates and anchors, depending on the design and loads. We agree the solution with the structural engineer — the element arrives with its steel components ready-fitted.
- What cross-sections and lengths are available?
- Cross-sections and lengths are matched to the loads and the structural grid. The limiting factor is often not production itself but abnormal-load transport and crane capacity on site — we check this at the quotation stage.
- Can columns be left exposed in the finished building?
- Yes. We produce elements in architectural concrete quality, ready to be left without cladding.
We'll select the right elements for your project
Send us dimensioned floor plans, sections and elevations — we will prepare an element selection, a schedule and a quote. Preparing a quote takes around a week on average.