AS 3850.2-2015 (2018) PDF

Full title and description

AS 3850.2:2015 Prefabricated concrete elements — Part 2: Building construction. Provides requirements for the planning, design, manufacture (casting), handling, transport, cranage, erection, temporary supports and incorporation into the final structure of prefabricated (precast) concrete elements used in building construction, including wall elements, columns, beams, floor units and façade elements.

Abstract

This part of AS 3850 sets out the technical and procedural requirements to ensure prefabricated concrete elements are designed, produced and incorporated safely and fit-for-purpose in building works. Topics covered include documentation and design stages, tolerances, casting practices, lifting and fixing provisions, transport and erection planning, temporary bracing and inspection, and requirements for incorporation and finishing in the completed structure. The 2015 edition was amended in 2018 (Amendment 1) to revise several clauses and an appendix.

General information

• Status: Superseded (replaced by AS 3850.2:2024).
• Publication date: 3 September 2015 (AS 3850.2:2015); Amendment 1 published 11 December 2018.
• Publisher: Standards Australia.
• ICS / categories: Concrete and concrete products — ICS 91.100.30 (Concrete and concrete products / precast).
• Edition / version: AS 3850.2:2015 (2nd edition) with Amendment 1 (2018).
• Number of pages: 58 pages (main publication); Amendment 1 is 3 pages.

Scope

Applies to prefabricated concrete elements used in building construction and sets out requirements affecting safety and performance during planning, manufacturing, transport and erection, and for their incorporation into the completed building. It covers elements such as precast walls (including façade panels), columns, beams, floor units and similar building components, addressing lifting, handling, tolerances, temporary supports and fixation. (Does not replace general structural design standards — it is intended to be read alongside relevant structural codes.)

Key topics and requirements

• Design and documentation requirements for shop and erection drawings, and design for manufacture, handling and erection (including erection stability and sequencing).
• Specified tolerances for dimensions, ferrule/connection positions and cumulative tolerances for assembly.
• Casting practices: casting bed layout, formwork, surface finish, curing, use of release agents and element identification.
• Lifting, inserts and rigging: requirements for lifting inserts, minimum concrete strength for safe lifting and inspection prior to lift-off.
• Transport, cranage and erection planning: loading, securing, unloading, crane selection, rigging and element assessment prior to lifting.
• Temporary supports, bracing, propping, levelling pads, shimming and grouting of bases.
• Inspection, damage repair, incorporation and fixing to the final structure, and removal of temporary supports and erection aids.
• Requirements and amendments introduced by Amendment 1 (2018) affecting selected clauses and an appendix.

Typical use and users

Used by structural and civil engineers, precast concrete manufacturers, fabrication shop managers, project architects, site contractors and erection crews, rigging and lifting engineers, building certifiers and clients specifying precast/ prefabricated concrete elements. It is applied during design development, production control, transport planning and on-site erection and inspection.

Related standards

Key related documents include: AS 3850.1:2015 (Prefabricated concrete elements — General requirements), AS 3850.3 (Prefabricated concrete elements — Civil construction), AS 3600 (Concrete structures), relevant parts of AS/NZS 1170 (Structural design actions), and the later consolidated revision AS 3850.2:2024 which replaces the 2015 edition and its 2018 amendment.

Keywords

prefabricated concrete, precast, precast elements, casting, lifting, rigging, erection, transport, tolerances, temporary bracing, façade panels, shop drawings, AS 3850.2, Amendment 1 (2018).

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: AS 3850.2:2015 is the part of the Australian prefabricated concrete elements standard series that addresses building construction — providing requirements for the lifecycle from design and casting through transport and erection to incorporation in the finished building.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers planning and documentation, design for manufacture and erection, casting and curing, lifting and inserts, transport and cranage, erection procedures, temporary supports and bracing, inspection and repair, and incorporation/ fixing into the final structure. The 2018 Amendment revised selected clauses and an appendix.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Structural engineers, precast manufacturers and fabricators, erection contractors and rigging engineers, architects specifying precast elements, and building certifiers. It is used at design, production, transport planning and site erection stages.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2015 edition (with Amendment 1:2018) has been superseded by AS 3850.2:2024. Users should refer to the 2024 edition for the most current requirements; however, the 2015 text and its 2018 amendment remain useful for historical projects and records.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. AS 3850 is a series covering prefabricated concrete elements; key parts include AS 3850.1 (General requirements), AS 3850.2 (Building construction) and AS 3850.3 (Civil construction).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: precast, prefabricated concrete, erection, lifting, rigging, tolerances, transport, temporary bracing, façade panels, shop drawings, AS 3850.2.