Glossary

Glossary of Infrastructure and Precast Concrete Terms

Box Culverts – 3 Sided

3 Sided Box culverts are precast concrete structures that are used in a variety of water management applications.  They are commonly inverted and set on precast concrete footings for use in applications involving bridges, railways, roadways, service tunnels, storm water management, underpasses, and other applications where passage over a water source is required.

Box Culverts – 4 Sided

4 Sided Box culverts, also referred to as monolithic box culverts, are precast concrete structures that are used in a variety of water management applications.  They are commonly used in applications involving bridges, railways, roadways, service tunnels, storm water management, underpasses, and other applications where water needs to be managed. They have a wide variety of applications including in underpasses, service tunnels, subways, and bridges.

Box Culverts – Split

TYPE I – Split Box Culvert Type I is a 2 piece 4-sided structure having a U-shaped bottom section and a lid.  Box Culverts have a wide variety of applications including managing storm water at underpasses, service tunnels, subways, and bridges.

TYPE II – Split Box Culvert Type II is a 2 piece 4-sided structure having a U-shaped bottom section and a U-shaped top section.  Box Culverts have a wide variety of applications including managing storm water at underpasses, service tunnels, subways, and bridges.

Bridges – Deck Panels

Deck panels are large concrete slabs that are installed on top of bridge girders to form the base for the roadway.  They are used in short-span bridges and allow for easy and quick installation.

They are a convenient and durable option for bridge construction and repair.

Bridges – Prestressed Box Beam

Prestressed box beams are long, hollow, 4-sided concrete beams that can be fixed to one another longitudinally to create bridges over water, roadways, and other obstacles.  They are secured with transverse ties and are a low-maintenance and economical option.

Box beams allow for much design flexibility since they can be used in conjunction with concrete decking or a paved asphalt roadway.  Since they are prestressed, they are highly resistant to cracking, warping, and breaking.

Bridges – Prestressed Bulb Tee

Prestressed bulb tees are I-shaped precast concrete beams that are wider at the base and have a narrower, thin top flange.  They are designed to be used in conjunction with precast decking for wheeled traffic bridge construction and repair.  The design varies slightly between different regions.  They use welded tie and grouted key connections for superior durability.

Bridges – Solid Slab

Solid slab panels are large, flat concrete panels that provide a quick and efficient method of building very short span bridges over waterways and other obstacles.  They are set close together on a simple framework and mortared together, with post-tensioned tendons for added support.  This is one of the most common materials for bridge construction; the slabs are very convenient and durable.

Bridges – Three Sided

Three sided bridges are inverted U-shaped 3 sided precast box culvert structures used in constructing short-span bridges over waterways.  They can be paired with precast footings and wingwalls as required and can be easily installed, backfilled, and surfaced in one day with minimal jobsite disturbance.

Bridges – Voided Slabs

Voided slabs are large flat concrete structures that are cast around plastic spheres resulting in slabs that are lightweight and versatile.  Because they are lighter than traditional slabs, they are ideal for use in long-span bridges, parking structures, and in buildings.  They require smaller footings and are not set on beams, making the project more cost effective and faster to complete.  Additionally, they allow for greater flexibility within a project due to their weight.  

Beams

Precast beams are structural components that are used in conjunction with columns to create the framework for walls, floors, and roofs.  Because of their superior strength and fire resistance, they are commonly used in parking structures and large commercial buildings.

Catch Basin

A catch basin is a precast concrete grated water inlet structure used in storm water management, consisting of a below ground concrete box that is topped with a grate at ground level.  Our precast catch basins include the base, riser, and top sections as well as pipe knock-outs.  They allow storm water to enter a storm sewer from streets, sidewalks, or parking lots.  Catch basins are used to prevent litter and large sediments from entering the storm pipe system.

Curb Inlet

A curb inlet is a precast concrete rectangular structure used in storm water management that is located along a roadway or sidewalk in-line with a road side or sidewalk curb.  It is either topped with concrete and metal grate, or has a flat concrete top with a manhole access and an opening at the curb to allow water to enter while keeping out large debris. Curb inlets include the base with pipe knockouts, risers, and the top section.

Ditch Bottom Inlet

Ditch bottom inlets are precast concrete structures used in storm water collection points that are set into a ditch or low point in grassy or landscaped areas that connects to underground storm system piping. Ditch bottom inlets consist of a hollow rectangular structure that is set below ground and topped with a metal grate at ground level that allows water to flow in but keeps large debris out.  The inlet consists of a base with knockouts, risers, and the grate.

Drop Inlet

Drop inlets, also referred to as grate inlets, are precast concrete hollow rectangular structures that are placed below ground with a metal grate top placed at ground level.  The grate prevents debris from entering the inlet and piping.  Drop inlets are designed to manage and collect storm water and are commonly used in draining medians, driveways, parking lots, roadway intersections, roadways near traffic barriers, and in ditches.  The grate that tops drop inlets is removable, allowing access to the water system while knockouts in the inlet base allow water to be directed as needed via concrete pipes.

Fire Wall

Fire wall is a post and panel precast concrete wall system designed and engineered to protect critical infrastructure by containing and preventing the spread of fire. Fire walls are typically used in power or electrical substation applications to protect valuable critical equipment such as electrical transformers, in case of fire.

Frames & Grates

Frames and grates are designed to be partnered with storm water catch basins and inlets.  They are square or rectangular tops that prevent debris from entering a storm water management system.  A wide variety of custom and standard sizes are available to suit virtually any application.  Both galvanized metal and cast iron options are available and they can either be in a grid configuration or a series of bars.

Inlet

A drainage Inlet is a precast concrete structure used in storm water management and designed to collect excess rain and storm water runoff from roofs, sidewalks, parking lots, and paved streets. Drainage Inlets can be categorized as Area Inlets, Curb Inlets, Drop Inlets, and simply Inlets depending on the application.

Manhole – Sanitary

Manholes are hollow concrete tubes that are installed vertically below grade and are lidded with a round cast iron lid at street level.  They are placed at vault openings or pipe junctions and provide maintenance and inspection access to underground piping systems. Available components include risers, flat tops, concentric and eccentric cones, grade rings, and a variety of base configurations. Sanitary Manholes are used in waste water applications and are commonly manufactured using corrosive resistant high performance concrete and or coatings as required.

Manhole – Service/Access

Manholes are hollow precast concrete tube shaped structures that are installed vertically below grade and are lidded with a round cast iron lid at street level.  Manholes are commonly placed at vault openings or pipe junctions and provide maintenance and inspection access to underground piping systems.  Service and access manholes can be used with any type of underground piping system.  They provide access to various equipment at the bottom of the manhole and include steps running from the top to the bottom.  These manholes are strong enough for traffic applications, including in roadways, parking lots, and pedestrian paths.

Manhole – Storm

Manholes are hollow precast concrete tube shaped structures that are installed vertically below grade and are lidded with a round cast iron lid at street level.  Storm manholes are commonly placed at vault openings or pipe junctions and provide maintenance and inspection access to underground piping systems.  Storm manholes are specifically designed to be used in storm water management systems.  They provide maintenance and inspection access to underground piping systems and are available in a wide variety of sizes. Available components include risers, flat tops, concentric and eccentric cones, grade rings, and a variety of base configurations.

Pole Base – Light Pole

A pole base is a precast concrete structure used for securing poles and posts in place.  Pole bases are most commonly used to secure light poles for roadway, or parking lot applications. Precast concrete pole bases are available in a variety of standard shapes including cylindrical and square, and consist of a precast concrete base body typically with a conduit raceway core and anchor bolts to secure the light pole or sign to the base.  A variety of heights can be cast.

Pole Base – Sign Post 

A pole base is a precast concrete structure used for securing poles and posts in place.  Sign pole bases are most commonly used to secure posts for roadway and traffic signage. Precast concrete pole bases are available in a variety of standard shapes including cylindrical and square, and consist of a precast concrete base body typically with a conduit raceway core and anchor bolts to secure the pole or sign post to the base.  A variety of heights can be cast.

Sight Wall

Sight wall systems are composed of precast concrete columns and panels.  Sight Walls provide a visual barrier and are available in a wide range of sizes. Sight walls are available with a variety of finishes, textures, colors and patterns to meet specific project needs. Sight walls provide privacy and a visual barrier from unwanted surrounding such as from streets, roadways, highways or railroad tracks.  Sight wall applications include commercial, municipal, residential, roadways, railways, and retail.

Sound Wall

Sound wall systems are composed of precast concrete columns and panels.  Sound Walls serve as both a visual and noise barrier and are available in a wide range of sizes. Walls are available with a variety of finishes, textures, colors and patterns to meet specific project needs. Sound walls provide a barrier from noise such as from streets, roadways, highways or railroad tracks.  Sound wall applications include commercial, municipal, residential, roadways, railways, and retail.

Trench – Precast Concrete

Trench systems are relatively shallow “U” shaped open ended precast concrete structures that are placed end-to-end just below ground level.  They are usually lidded with either concrete, composite, or grates. The lid sits at ground level and can double as a pedestrian walkway. Precast concrete trench has a wide variety of uses, including running and containing electrical and telecommunications wires and cabling, steam venting, and water runoff.  Trench systems are commonly used by utilities, municipalities, commercial builders, and industrial builders.