Precast concrete fencing units in low cost domestic housing in South Africa - a case study

The rectangular flat concrete precast panels which are widely used as building blocks in fencing construction, have been introduced in the design and construction of low cost domestic housing. The use of masonry units has been the main option in the design and construction of domestic houses in South Africa. However, the use of precast concrete fencing panels, as an alternative, in domestic housing construction is spreading and undergoing improvement. The objective of this paper was to investigate and analyse the extent of the use of precast concrete fencing panels in the construction of domestic housing. It has been found that this construction method is practiced mainly in remote and rural areas, and is based on the skill and intuition rather than formal design steps and agreed specifications. However, the product houses are usually appealing and the majority of users find them reliable. When compared to a masonry unit wall, the plastered precast concrete wall has several advantages, including a rapid construction process, material availability, durability, quality control, low cost construction, low maintenance and inspection, reduced impact on the environment and lower water demand during construction.