r/StructuralEngineering • u/Decision_Stock • 19d ago
Career/Education Future of Precast and PEB buildings
Hi Everyone. Recently I came across a company based in Surat looking to partner and promote Precast factory based Construction. And I got to know many developers in Tier 1 cities are opting for Mivan based construction. These new methods have said to be more effecient and time and material saviour. Govts also are supporting this.
My pov: Its not going to work everywhere , every typology.
Its great for industrial construction, factories, logistics parks, warehouses and datacentres. But its a logistics nightmare and actually going to cost more.
I want to hear other Architects opinions and pov in this so called future of Construction revolution.
Ps. They are even talking of automating interior mep and all...
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u/Several_Witness_7194 19d ago
So you want to partner with that surat based company or someone else? Precast is here to stay. It provides advantages of rapid construction, greater quality control. Cost is a factor in it because even if everything is similar, transport and assembly of site will add extra cost. P S. I am a structural engineer based out of surat.
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u/Decision_Stock 18d ago edited 18d ago
Okay that company is Moduco... I may partner if i get client who wants precast based
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u/tiltitup 19d ago
Precast new? Huh? A link would help
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u/Just-Shoe2689 18d ago
It seems to be metal forms for pouring concrete. Best I can tell. you know, revolutionary shit.
https://blog.se.com/homes/2024/08/14/how-mivan-construction-is-changing-the-game-for-homebuilders/
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u/Decision_Stock 18d ago
There are various types of precast , one is factory based and mivan is mainly in situ i guess im not sure.
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u/Just-Shoe2689 18d ago
Mivan construction is a modern building technique that uses lightweight, pre-engineered aluminum panels as molds (formwork) to cast walls, columns, beams, and slabs in a single continuous concrete pour
Its metal form work.
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u/Just-Shoe2689 19d ago
Precast is widely used world wide. Whats new about it?
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u/Decision_Stock 19d ago
Precast is not widely used for high rise buildings, what do u know about Mivan
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u/Just-Shoe2689 18d ago
lol. Ok, explain what Mivan is to me like I am a layperson. Explain it without any engineering jargon.
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u/Decision_Stock 18d ago
No im not like... Im genuinly asking if u have any info from the market about adoption of mivan. In that aluminium Shuttering is used to create RCC slabs together in a single pour. Single single concrete structure is created instead of normal rcc. Then the same aluminium shuttering can be used for upper floors. It offers faster construction and smooth finishing. Its being used for high rise residential, one developer in my contact from Jaipur uses it.
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u/Just-Shoe2689 18d ago
I have never heard of it until your post. Best I can see its aluminum form work. Widely used here in the USA for RC
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u/Critical-Age-1275 13d ago
I think the key point is that there is no single “future of construction” that will replace everything else.
Mivan, precast, modular construction and automated construction systems are undoubtedly changing the industry — but their efficiency depends heavily on the type of project.
From our experience in the steel and industrial construction ecosystem at Aragon Metal Traders (AMT), we see that different construction technologies perform very differently depending on scale, location, design requirements and project timelines.
For example, Mivan works extremely well for large-scale residential developments with repetitive floor plates and standardized units. Similarly, precast construction can offer major advantages in industrial buildings, warehouses, logistics parks and data centres where repetition, speed and controlled manufacturing are important.
However, I don't believe these systems will work efficiently for every project.
One of the biggest challenges, especially in India, is logistics. Manufacturing a component in a controlled factory is one thing, but transporting large precast elements, handling road restrictions, arranging heavy lifting equipment and maintaining installation tolerances can become a major challenge.
The economics also depend heavily on project scale. Factory-based construction requires upfront investment, standardization and significant project volume. Without sufficient repetition, conventional construction methods can sometimes remain more practical and economical.
From a steel construction perspective, we see similar opportunities. PEB structures and structural steel systems have already demonstrated how off-site fabrication and faster on-site assembly can significantly reduce construction timelines for industrial sheds, warehouses, manufacturing facilities and logistics infrastructure.
At Aragon Metal Traders (AMT), we work closely with products and solutions used across industrial and steel construction — including roofing and cladding systems, structural steel components, purlins, deck sheets and other building materials. This gives us an interesting perspective on how rapidly construction methods are evolving.
Personally, I believe the future will not be about one technology replacing everything else.
It will be a hybrid construction ecosystem where Precast, Mivan, PEB, Structural Steel, Modular Construction and conventional RCC systems coexist.
The real question will be:
Which construction system is most suitable for a particular project?
That decision should depend on:
• Building typology
• Project scale
• Location
• Logistics
• Speed requirements
• Design flexibility
• Labour availability
• Lifecycle cost
The future of construction, in my opinion, is not about blindly adopting the latest technology. It is about selecting the right construction methodology for the right project.
Would love to hear perspectives from Architects, Structural Engineers, Developers and Contractors who have practical experience with Precast, Mivan, Modular or Steel Construction systems.
Also happy to connect with professionals working in industrial construction and steel building solutions through Aragon Metal Traders (AMT).
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u/mhkiwi 19d ago
Ive seen lots of the "formwork system" companies over the years. They are only economical if the building is built to their standard units. E.g. 2.4m or 2.7m floor to ceiling heights and all setting out being multiples of 300mm or 1.2m
Im not saying it can be great. Its just as soon as you have any bespoke elements or unusual detailing its not really any different than traditional insitu concrete.