There are a now a large number of sports venues which are built from precast concrete. Precast concrete is a cement product which is precast in a mold and then cured in a controlled environment for primary use in construction. The finished shape is transported to the construction site and lifted into place by a crane. Contrast this method with standard concrete which is cement that is poured and cured at the site.
Some of the advantages of using precast concrete are that it is much easier to mass produce certain types of molds and shapes and that curing in a precast concrete plant allows for a more environmentally controlled process with sophisticated monitoring systems. Production is usually performed at ground level which affords higher safety standards. All of these benefits allow for lower production costs. The disadvantage is planning the transport and placement of large precast concrete structures.
Aviva Stadium, located in Dublin, Ireland holds a capacity of 51,700 and is an example of a stadium built using precast concrete. The stadium, located next to the Lansdowne Road railway station, opened on 14 May 2010 and is home to the Republic of Ireland football team and the Irish rugby union team.
The following infographic is brought to you by Banagher Precast Concrete and showcases some interesting stadiums from around the world!