The beauty of precast sometimes lies not in its aesthetics, but in its functionality and flexability. The precast used for line the "Chunnel" (the  Channel Tunnel that undersea rail tunnel linking the United Kingdom with northern France beneath the English Channel).

Earlier this month, PCI-IW hosted about 70 architects, engineers, contractors, and other folks interested in the design and construction of parking structures for a half-day seminar. At first, this seems to be a rather dry topic  -- but in looking at the comments on our audience surveys it was not. I have to admit I was blown away by the possabilities that are out there today for designers who make the effort and have the budget to create a new take on this old type of structure.

There are a several areas of safety and security in building issues where the precast industry is using its collective brainpower to research best building practices in precast for designs that will stand the test of time and force of man-made or natural disasters. Of ongoing intrerest are studies and testing going on for earthquake design, wind-resistant materials, and blast resistant design.