Transportation Issues to be aware of when detailing precast panels

This is a first in a series of articles I will be writing about the process of precast detailing. Suppose you get a drawing like the one below.

Question: Is there anything that strikes you? That might be a potential concern?

• Take a look at Panel P – 27. And note that it kinda looks like an arch flipped on it’s side. So what’s the problem with that, you ask?
• There is a potential issue: the panel might break. Why? Because the right hand side of the panel has no real support. If you try and put the lifters on the left hand side of the panel, when you’re trying to lift it off the table, the “legs” of this panel could break, given the size of the panel notwithstanding its reinforcing.
• If you put the lifters on top of the panel, then the breakage issue remains – even if you do manage to successfully lift the panel without it breaking, what about lowering it into position?

What then is the solution?

• Simply use a strongback. If you don’t know what a strong back is, it is simply a beam which can be used to add support to the legs. This will give the right hand side of the panel some support and sturdiness so that it will minimise the chance of breakage.

Hope you learned something!