Precast concrete blocks a smash hit with the Demolition Sector

Many of you will have fond memories of playing with Lego bricks as children, constructing all manner of houses, towers, cars, and trucks. Fast forward to 2013, and a slightly sturdier – and much, much larger – precast concrete version based on the same abiding principals as Lego is proving to be a robust, versatile solution increasingly being used across the demolition industry.

Based in Telford, Shropshire, Elite Precast Concrete is the UK market leader in manufacturing and supplying interlocking precast concrete blocks that more and more demolition and construction companies are using in their day-to-day operations, whether as sturdy storage bays to hold site waste, robust counterweights to keep perimeter security fencing in place, or as a way to stabilise embankments safely and speedily.

The firm’s blocks come in two distinct types – ‘Lego’ interlocking blocks that slot together with an integral cast lifting pin, and ‘V’ blocks that have a tongue and groove interlocking mechanism. Weighing between 375kg and 1.6 tonnes each and made of first-class concrete (50 Newtons strength), it’s clear these modern-day building blocks are ready-made for heavy duty work and can withstand the harsh environments of any demolition site.

But while they are robust enough to stand up to harsh environments, they are surprisingly simple to put in place. The blocks are dry-laid, and because they slot together so easily, they can be installed using a forklift, eliminating the need to bring in expensive external contractors. And while they are easy to install, it’s just as simple to take the blocks away once they have been used, or they can be stacked higher or lower to increase or reduce capacity, as required.

For demolition projects, Lego and V interlocking precast concrete blocks have a variety of uses. The combination of strength and stability, ease of installation, and flexibility to add or remove blocks as and when necessary, means that they are ideal to store demolition waste until it can be removed for recycling or taken away to landfill.

Securing sites whilst a job is being undertaken is of paramount importance, and Elite Precast Concrete’s blocks are proven to be an extremely effective source of kentledge – counterweights to hold security fencing in place. So much so that the firm was called upon to provide 20,000 of them to secure a total of 30km of perimeter fencing at more than 60 venues used during last summer’s London Olympic Games, from the Olympic Park and Stadium in East London, through to the sailing venue in Weymouth and numerous football stadia, including Old Trafford, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and Glasgow’s Hampden Park. Previously, it would have been necessary to construct traditional concrete foundations to achieve the required degree of strength, but interlocking blocks offer the same high levels of stability without the need for expensive, disruptive excavations and pouring of ready-mix concrete.

V and Lego interlocking blocks are also being used to stabilise embankments running along site clearances or demolition works. Dry-laying the blocks can retain up to 50m² of embankment a day, and can be carried out easily and effectively by a team of just two or three workers with a forklift truck.

For further information about Elite Precast Concrete please contact 01952 588885, email postmaster@eliteprecast.co.uk, or visit www.eliteprecast.co.uk.