A crucial factor in building value is to constantly explore new and better products, means and methods of building. MidState Precast is founded on innovation and actively supports industry-advancing research, both through sponsorship of research entities and our own efforts. We continue to seek out research projects to improve existing technologies.

Areas of concrete technology in which MidState Precast focuses its leading-edge efforts include:

High-Strength Concrete

MidState Precast uses high-strength (up to 8000 psi) concrete in precast seismic resistant elements and is working with the American Concrete Institute (ACI) to allow even higher strength concrete seismic elements.

Sustainability

MidState Precast has developed the capability to bring the benefits of cement replacements, including fly-ash, into its products.

Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC)

Self-compacting concrete can lead to lower placement costs and higher quality concrete in the finished product and is well suited to the precast manufacturing market. MidState Precast is encouraging the use of this technology in its products and is working with admixture manufacturers through trial batch and testing programs to improve the mix designs for self-compacting concrete.

Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

MidState Precast is working with manufacturers of fiber, including carbon fiber, to develop concrete mixes, as well as mixing and placing techniques, to enable concrete to take advantage of the beneficial characteristics of fiber in the design of concrete elements.

MidState has participated in batching and casting trials with fiber manufacturers and continues to seek opportunities to incorporate fiber-reinforced concrete in precast components.

Precast Hybrid Moment Resistant Frame (PHMRF)

The PHMRF is a revolutionary structural system that provides an economical method for bringing all of the cost, schedule and quality aspects of precast concrete into the lateral load resisting elements of a building. MidState Precast has been integral in the development and application of this system.

Working with Charles Pankow Builders, Ltd., MidState has produced PHMRF columns and beams for buildings in the Los Angeles and San Francisco markets including parking structures, office buildings and apartment buildings ranging from three to 39 stories.

Lite Beams

A precast, prestressed concrete beam that is I-shaped to minimize the weight, thereby reducing the cost of transportation.

Bullet-Absorbing Precast Concrete

Bullet-absorbing concrete is designed to absorb the kinetic energy of projectiles in a controlled fashion without cracking, splitting or ricocheting. MidState Precast fabricated and erected precast panels of SACON®, a low-density, fiber-reinforced, foamed concrete developed by the Structures Laboratory at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in association with Ballistics Technology, Inc.

Research Projects

Recently, working with researchers at Cornell University, MidState Precast produced precast segmental bridge pier components for a large-scale test of a new concept incorporating ductile, fiber-reinforced concrete as a design parameter.