0.01.2000

GULF TOWERS was one of the major projects in which United Precast Concrete (UPC) of Dubai was involved last year.

UPC, which started production in 1994, manufactures various kinds of precast concrete products to the highest quality standards.

From the beginning, the company's focus has been on prestressed hollowcore slabs which has the advantage of longer spans and lighter dead load compared to traditional in-situ slabs.

"And as the main scaffolding for in-situ slabs can be avoided, it gives a faster overall construction time," says a UPC spokesman.

UPC, which began with producing thick hollowcore slabs in the range of 150 mm, 200 mm and 265 mm spanning up to 12 m, introduced 320 mm and 400 mm thick slabs in 1998 .

In 1999, UPC launched 500 mm thick hollowcore slabs which can span up to 22 m when used as a roof floor and 18 m when used as a loaded floor such as in car-parks. Large open spaces can be constructed using these slabs without columns obstructing efficient use of space.

The company's products have been well received in the market from the beginning and since 1996, UPC's production capacity has been increased yearly to reach a capacity of 1500 sq m per day.

Precast prestressed hollowcore slabs can be used in all kinds of buildings, such as residential projects, offices, schools, car-parks and bridges.

Besides hollowcore slabs, UPC also manufactures other precast items such as walls, cladding panels, prestressed beams, columns, stairs and special items required by its clients.

"UPC is able to offer design services to contractors as well as to consultants and clients, thus optimising the use of precast concrete components. The company is also able to design complete buildings in precast concrete of which the Terminal 2 in Dubai International Airport is the best example. It also designs various one and two-storey villas," says the spokesman.

"In new buildings, there is nowadays a lot of focus on achieving concrete which can resist the climatic conditions and in particular avoiding chloride and carbonation attacks. Concrete components produced in the industrial environment of a precast plant are more likely to reach the required quality than concrete produced on-site under full impact of the sun and wind and possibly also with a lower level of quality assurance," he continues.

During 1999, the company achieved ISO 9001 certification covering design, manufacture and erection. "This assures clients of the company's adherence to internationally-recognised quality control and endorses the high quality standards for UPC's products," he says.

Other major projects in which UPC was involved during 1999 were Abu Dhabi Trade Centre, Ghubaiba Car-Park, Deira City Centre extension and low-income houses for the Dubai Municipality.