Austral Precast

East Coast

precast.
style and
function

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Contents

Who are we 4

Why use Precast 6

Cladding Panels 8

Load Bearing Panels 10

Flooring 12

Other Products 14

Finishes 16

Services 18

Technical Information 20

Brickworks Group of Companies 24

Contact 28

precast.
style and
function

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Who are we

World-class style is built on attention to detail, so we’re proud of our Austral Precast is Australia’s premier and systems, Austral Precast produces Austral Precast offers a full product
supplier of high quality and innovative, a diversified range of customised and service package with the ability
relentless focus on the use of advanced technology, quality control customisable precast concrete wall, floor, column, and client specific to design, detail and manufacture a
and commitment to service. product solutions, and industry precast solutions, taking pride in our diverse range of precast products and
leading installation and construction ability to exceed the expectations of provide industry leading installation
services designed to meet the our customers and find solutions that services either using our own team
needs of an evolving building and meet their needs. of installation experts or one of our
construction industry. experienced and respected sub
We service a range of markets and
contracting partners.
Operating from five plants located focus primarily on the industrial,
across Australia, using state of the art commercial, multi residential and
technology, production techniques community sectors.

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Why use Precast

For a stylish solution with a host of benefits, the answer is Precast Concrete.

Easy and Quick Installation Sound Insulation Thermal Insulation

The most widely recognised reason Due to its density and mass, concrete Due to their thermal mass, precast
to use precast is the reduction in is an excellent barrier against various concrete panels slow the flow of
construction timelines that can be external noises such as traffic, aircraft, temperature fluctuations by storing
achieved. and weather events. and releasing these gradually, resulting
in more comfortable living conditions
This is possible because precast
Durability for occupants.
concrete is manufactured off site and
made to client specifications so that Made from concrete in various densities
Quality Controlled
manufacture and site preparation can and compositions, precast concrete is
occur simultaneously with quick and a strong, low maintenance material that All precast concrete panels are
straight forward installation, ensuring will endure the ravages of weather, time, manufactured to meet and exceed
faster enclosure of the structure, minimal pollution, and other external forces with Australian standards and Austral Precast’s
delay to work being carried out by other minimal degradation or damage. own stringent quality standards.
trades, and limited site congestion. At Austral Precast, we see the quality
Product Customisation
In addition, precast does not suffer from of our product as a reflection on the
Concrete’s plasticity or malleability quality of our business, so each panel is
delays resulting from external weather
makes it easy to form into a range of manufactured and designed to reach
conditions which can occur with
shapes, sizes, and finishes designed to the highest standards in quality.
competing substitutes.
meet individual requirements.
Minimal Disruption Onsite Fire Resistance
With precast panels, every product is
Because they are manufactured off site distinctive with each developed based Easily achieving fire resistance
and simply lifted and fixed in position on intimate knowledge of the project requirements set out in national
(usually in a day or two), precast and client for which its required. standards, precast concrete is well
concrete panels cause minimal delays recognised for being impervious to fire.
What this means for you as our client is
to other trades, providing opportunities to that whatever your needs, we’ll try and
bring forward project completion dates. design a product to meet them.

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Cladding Panels
Style with Distinction

Muted, distinctive or striking, precast facade panels can be

used to achieve a look that is only limited by your imagination.

Precast wall cladding offers all the exposed aggregate, applied and honed
benefits of other precast concrete finishes. For a facade that suits your style,
materials including thermal mass, the solution is precast concrete wall
sound insulation, longevity and cost cladding.
efficiency with the ability to use a range
of finishes including: off form (smooth),

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Load Bearing Panels
Style & Function

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The cornerstone of intelligent design, load bearing

panels offer economy and style.

The ideal solution for structural support, Prominent in commercial, industrial,

a load bearing panel can eliminate architectural and high level residential
the need for structural framing and act buildings, load bearing panels are the
as a striking building facade, offering material of choice for contemporary
economy in the number of products projects.
used, style in finish, and cost efficiency
across the project.

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Flooring
Foundation Built on Style

A revolutionary precast concrete flooring system which uses a combination of

precast steel reinforced concrete panels and a poured in-situ topping as a means
of constructing a suspended concrete slab.

Size Reinforcement Weight Saving Faster Construction Clean & Safe Soffit Finish
A Transfloor™ panel is a factory The bottom reinforcement Polystyrene void formers, added Up to 150 m2 per hour can be Fewer trades are required resulting A class 2 off-form grey finish is easily
made precast concrete slab of embedded in the panel can consist at the precast factory, allow for placed by crane, reducing building in a less cluttered, cleaner and safer achieved, suitable for painting with
variable width up to a maximum of a layer of fabric, the bottom construction of voided slabs with a time significantly. building site. An immediate work minimum preparation (refer Figure 3).
of 2.5 metres and variable length, chords of the trusses and additional significant reduction in self weight platform is provided.
Transfloor™ panels provide both
usually limited to about 12 metres for reinforcing bars as required by the (typically 30%). Balcony Upstands
the working platform and part of
transport and handling purposes. designer. Lighter Structure
the completed floor while eliminating Balcony upstands can be provided
Flexibility
the need for formwork. Use of polystyrene void formers as an integral part of the Transfloor™
Thickness Handling
In contrast with most other reduces the self weight of the panel, eliminating costly edge
Reduced Propping
The panel thickness can be varied The Transfloor™ trusses provide prefabricated systems, Transfloor™ slab and provides cost savings in formwork and scaffolds. Precast
and will depend on reinforcement strength and stiffness for handling imposes few restrictions on designers Propping requirements are reduced foundations, columns and beams. balcony upstands also offer
size and concrete cover. For many and transport, allow panels to because there are no standard panel when compared with traditional The void formers also reduce the early installation of temporary or
applications a nominal thickness of support construction loads with a sizes. The length, width, thickness, formwork meaning less cluttering of volume of in-situ concrete. permanent balustrades.
55 mm is satisfactory. minimum of temporary propping, plan geometry and reinforcement the floor below and earlier access by
contribute to the bottom steel and to steel can be varied to suit design following trades.
the top steel and can also serve as requirements and allow considerable
continuous bar chairs to support the flexibility for both the Architect and
top reinforcement. the Engineer.

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Other Products
Style Solutions

For stylish precast products designed to stand the test of time,

Australia looks to Austral Precast.

Columns & Beams Parapets Retaining walls

Whether used as an architectural Commonly used on commercial The strength and longevity of
feature or as a critical load bearing buildings, Austral Precast can offer concrete makes it an ideal material
element of a larger project, columns a range of parapet designs to for retaining walls, while the finishes
and beams can be used in a variety meet your needs. available mean that function and
of applications and designs. aesthetics can be brought together
Signage to create a distinctive retaining wall
Used correctly, columns and beams
Strong and durable, precast feature.
offer the potential to increase the
speed of floor on floor construction, concrete signs create a powerful
cutting completion timelines and corporate presence. Whether you
offering cost savings in the process. have a logo imprinted, raised on
their surface, or a panel in the shape
of your logo, our range of signage
solutions will create a strong impact
and lasting impression.

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Finishes
Finished in Style

Austral Precast offers a range of finishes

that can used separately or in combination
to add a point of difference to creative designs.

Finishes (Off Form)

Off form refers to the panels surface shape and finish being
formed from the casting bed in which it’s poured. Traditionally
off form finishes are smooth flat finishes however, various moulds
and designs can be installed in the casting bed to change the
finish and shape of the panel.
More recently these moulded finish panels have been used
as architectural features often with the same mould pattern
repeated on multiple panels to spread the cost of mould
creation and achieve cost efficiency.

Finishes (Applied)
Applied finishes are achieved through the application of
materials, such as tiles or bricks, to the surface of the concrete
panel in various patterns to create a truly distinctive look. Whether
you want a traditional brick veneer finish or a striking tiled pattern
that captures the eye, applied offer a range of choices.

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Services
Service with Style

Austral Precast offers an industry leading service through a team

of experienced professionals.

Austral Precast offers an industry Austral Precast Service Areas: Erection Department - Experts at
leading installation service either putting the pieces of the project
Contract Department - Offering
through our own team of installation together, our erection teams are
estimating services to find a solution
experts or through a number of experts in their field.
that not only suits your project but
Austral accredited installers.
also fits within your budget. Post Erection Department - Offering,
Years of experience and the Grouting, Caulking, Welding, Patching
Detailing Department - Offers
knowledge developed from this and Brace removal, Post Erection
comprehensive design advice to
means we understand the intricacies apply the finishing touches.
help you bring your creation to life,
of precast installation and offer
while giving advice on how to design
an industry leading installation
panels to achieve economy and
service offering: quality, efficiency,
easy installation.
affordability and an unrivalled level
of attention to detail. Manufacturing Department - For
expertise on how the panel you need
can be made, our manufacturing
department offer a wealth of
knowledge and experience.

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Technical Information

FIGURE 1 FIGURE 3 FIGURE 4 FIGURE 5

Design Principles for Loadbearing Facades Typical Connection Details for Loadbearing Facades Design Principles for Loadbearing Facades Eccentric Forces

Grout 1. Transfer dead load

Grouted access ducts directly to the 2. Avoid carrying deal
dowel bar structure through load on bolts in shear.
Dowel bar
bearing
Grout seals H
Details as 3. Provide only two 4. Provide bearing at one
for typical bearing points level only, per panel. e
Slab starter panel per panel.
bars
6. Alternatively, W = Weight
panel may be of panel h
5. Panel should be
Note: Panel bottom-supported middle supported. W
reinforcement
not shown
(if possible). H=We
Floor h
starter bars 8. Bearing support to
7. Panel may also be be tied against
TYPICAL PANEL ALTERNATIVE top-supported lateral forces. H

FIGURE 2 9. A bolted connection

Location of Joints (cleat) is suitable for
lateral restraint.
Vertical joint between panels Vertical joint between panels Dummy joint W

DO NOT curtail vertical dummy joint

as this will lead to staining
AVOID this configuration as it can lead
to potential water staining and leakage
DO NOT stagger vertical (or horizontal) joints problems.
as it leads to staining and stress on sealants.
In some cases it can lead to stress on the
panel with possible cracking of the panel.

Walling (Load Bearing) Connections Cladding

Technical Information - Basic design Vertical load bearing connections Panel sizes should be maximised within Cladding refers to non-loadbearing Connections must be detailed to ensure
principles for loadbearing wall units are should be made panel-to-panel as the limits of transport, crane capacity precast panels connected to a that each unit supports only its own
shown in FIGURE 1. Loadbearing units illustrated in FIGURE 3. Connections are and temporary support arrangements. supporting structure. The ten basic weight and no weight is transferred from
may have a window or other opening detailed to provide for ease of erection design principles for cladding panels the units above.
Window openings can often be glazed,
incorporated into them. and grouting. Issues not resolved on the are shown in FIGURE 4.
or at least have the frames installed, Connections should be chosen so that
consultants drawings will be addressed
The location of vertical and horizontal before the panels leave the factory. The following principles should be the loads are transferred through the
with by Austral during the shop drawing
joints is important. The doughnut Careful detailing and selection of recognised in the design of connections connections as simply as possible with
process.
configuration with the window surface finishes will minimise the effects for precast cladding units: minimal eccentricities. The design of the
enclosed in the panel is best. If another As with all precast concrete the design of weathering. fixings must recognise all forces and
configuration must be used then should produce the most commercially allow for them in the detailed design,
weatherproofing of the facade needs to attractive result consistent with the FIGURE 5
be carefully thought out, see FIGURE 2. architectural and other customer
requirements.

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Technical Information

FIGURE 6 FIGURE 7 FIGURE 8

Typical Panel-Fixing Details General Arrangement Typical Connection Details for Cladding Panels

Corbel may be local or continuous

75 Ø grouted core hole

(horizontal and lateral adjustment)
250
Bars welded to each other and
to cross-bar or continuous bar

Tie-back fixing
(lateral restraint)
Arrows indicate
Packers (vertical adjustment) and
possible freedom
non-shrink grout pad under corbel
of movement
in fixing
Dowel cast in floor inside beam
(in plane of panel)
90* reinforcement or grouted into
60 Ø cored hole
25 250*
* With dowel cast in as illustrated,
250 with dowel grouted into
No cored-hole option
movement
Corbel and dowel
(load-carrying fixing)
20 Ø bolt through hole slotted parallel
Joints between into panel (horizontal adjustment into
panels ferrule located inside beam reinf.

Fire-rated protection if required

ELEVATION 20 Ø bolt through vertically-slotted

hole (vertical adjustment) into
ferrule cast in panel

Packer plates (lateral adjustment)

Walling (Cladding) Connections Typical Panel-Fixing Details

Units should be provided with at least The connection details should be Adequate tolerances and clearances It may be necessary to provide Design for the largest possible panel
four fixings as shown in FIGURE 6. The standardised as much as possible. This are required. Connections should allow temporary connections that are size within the limits of transport, crane
arrows show the freedom of movement results in economy, speed and simplicity economical fabrication of the precast released after final adjustments are capacity and temporary support
that must be provided at each of the during production and erection, and elements. The hardware should not made. Typical cladding general arrangements. This will reduce costs and
fixings in the plane of the panel. The also reduces the chance of error. interfere with concrete placement, arrangements & panel connection close up the building more quickly.
fixings must provide resistance to wind cause finishing problems nor make it details are shown in FIGURE 7 & 8.
forces perpendicular to the plane of difficult to provide the specified cover to
Design for repetition; aim for the least
the panel. Panels must not bear on one reinforcement.
number of variations between panels
another.
Connections should be detailed so and increased repetition of mould
that hoisting equipment can be quickly usage for maximum economy.
released.

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Associated Companies
Brickworks Group of Companies

AUSTRAL BRICKS AUSTRAL MASONRY BRISTILE ROOFING AUSWEST TIMBERS

Austral Bricks is the largest and The acquisition of a number of Bristile Roofing™ was established in Auswest Timbers™ manufactures
most efficient producer of pavers, concrete masonry manufacturers, 1929 when Sir Lance Brisbane a diverse range of timber products
bricks, building materials, façade most notably GB Masonry in opened his first terracotta products including heavy structural timbers,
systems and landscaping products Queensland, complemented factory in Perth. The division is roof tile battens through to floor
in Australia. established manufacturing Victorian now one of Australia’s largest boards and decking. The company
facilities and led to the formation of manufacturers and expert installers has manufacturing plants in Western
With the commissioning of a new
Austral Masonry. of quality terracotta, and concrete Australia, Victoria and the A.C.T.
brick factory at Wollert, Victoria in
roof tiles.
2007 we continue to set the pace for Through natural growth and
quality, efficiency and high levels of acquisition Austral Masonry™ has
environmental performance. become a significant player in
the market for grey block building
The introduction of robotic brick
materials in Queensland and
handling equipment at plants
provides further diversification of
around Australia enables us to
earnings for the group.
greatly reduce manufacturing costs
and enhance production flexibility.

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 precast.
style and
function

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Austral Precast National Offices

Queensland Western Australia

54 Telford Street 35 Mandarin Road
Virginia QLD 4014 Maddington WA 6109
Tel. +61 7 3339 9902 Tel. +61 8 9493 5116
Fax. +61 7 3265 3333 [email protected]
[email protected]

Victoria
New South Wales
37-39 Elliott Road
33-41 Cowpasture Road
Dandenong VIC 3175
Wetherill Park NSW 2164
Tel. +61 3 9794 5185
13 Whyalla Place
Fax. +61 3 9706 7607
Prestons NSW 2170
[email protected]
Tel. +61 2 9604 9444
Fax. +61 2 9604 9477
[email protected]

A division of

www.australprecast.com.au

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