In addition to manufacturing top quality products that meet or exceed current specifications, Bode’s Precast strives to protect the environment!
Several years ago when we started a search for property to build our precast plant, we purposefully chose property that was adjacent to Whatcom County’s gravel resources. Being located at the source precludes the need for gravel trucks hauling the primary ingredients in concrete – sand and gravel – to the concrete mixing plant. Annually this saves hundreds of truckloads from traveling up and down our highways, which means less wear and tear on our infrastructure and saves thousands of gallons of fuel from being consumed. No other concrete manufacturer in Whatcom County can make this claim! All other concrete manufacturers in our county must have their gravel trucked in.
After finding the best location for our plant, Bode’s decided to purchase a new Wiggert batch plant. Though much costlier than purchasing a used batch plant, this new plant is designed to produce the most consistent, highest quality concrete possible using modern state-of-the-art German technology. It uses a computerized microwave moisture detection system that automatically controls the amount of batch water needed for a precise mix. It is completely self-contained and utilizes the most advanced dust collection system available.
Other ingredients used in our concrete are flyash, slag, and silica fume. These are waste products from other manufacturing processes which reduces landfill wastes. Additionally, we
use a water reducer which does exactly what its name implies: reduces the amount of water used in the concrete. These products are used to improve the performance of concrete by making it stronger, more durable and more resistance to chemical attacks.
With the environment in mind, we designed our plant to reuse all process water. This water is collected and reused in the daily manufacture of concrete. Unfortunately there isn’t enough of this process water so Bode’s Precast manufacturing yard was designed to collect stormwater which helps to make up this shortfall. Only when these sources are completely utilized is groundwater used to supplement our water needs.
We believe that Bode’s Precast is a true guardian of the environment.
Everyone at Bode’s Precast, Inc. takes great pride in producing what we believe to be the ‘greenest’ concrete possible.
Precast concrete gives you an almost endless variety of products and design options for both above ground and underground concrete construction. Precast is one of the most versatile and sustainable building materials available for today’s environmentally conscious construction. Bodes Precast Concrete is a dealer for Readi-Rock Precast Concrete in the Pacific NW. Based in Everson, Whatcom county we provide products to Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan Counties. For color, please refer to the Davis Color Chart.
STRENGTH
The strength of precast concrete gradually increases over time. Other materials can deteriorate, experience creep and stress relaxation, lose strength and/or deflect over time. The load-carrying capacity of precast concrete is derived from its own structural qualities and does not rely on the strength or quality of the surrounding backfill materials.
DURABILITY
Studies have shown that precast concrete products can provide a service life in excess of 100 years. For severe service conditions, additional design options are available which can extend the life of a precast concrete product. This is extremely important when calculating life-cycle costs for a project.
MASS
Precast concrete products can act as effective barriers to vehicular traffic due their size and weight. In the current world climate, precast concrete products such as planters, bollards and highway barriers increasingly are being used to provide protection for a wide variety of venues.
QUALITY CONTROL
Because precast concrete products typically are produced in a controlled environment, they exhibit high quality and uniformity. Variables affecting quality typically found on a jobsite – temperature, humidity, material quality, craftsmanship – are nearly eliminated in a plant environment.
FIRE RESISTANCE
Precast concrete is noncombustible. Also, concrete does not lose its structural capacity nearly as quickly as steel, which is now a significant consideration as witnessed in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the towers’ subsequent collapse. Other materials besides concrete and steel are flammable and/or do not perform well in elevated temperatures. Fiberglass begis losing structural integrity at 200°F. HDPE begins to melt at 266°F.
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
Precast concrete is resistant to most substances. However, no material is completely immune to attack from aggressive chemical agents. Thus, it is wise to choose the material with the longest expected service life. Precast concrete products can be designed to withstand anticipated corrosive agents.
WEATHER RESISTANCE
Precast concrete is well suited for exposure to all types of weather conditions. In regions experiencing regular freeze-thaw cycles, the concrete mix can be designed to properly withstand damage.
UV SENSITIVITY
Unlike some other materials, precast concrete does not degrade from exposure to sunlight. This is extremely beneficial for above-ground applications.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
After water, concrete is the most frequently used material on earth. It is nontoxic, environmentally safe and composed of natural materials. Buried throughout the world, precast concrete products help convey water without contributing to poor water quality.
EASE OF INSTALLATION
Although precast concrete is quite heavy. nearly all other competing materials require machinery for handling and installation as well. Besides, speed of installation is more dependent on excavation than product handling and placement. Precast does not require the use of special rigging (such as fabric slings) which must be used in order to avoid structural damage while handling materials such as fiberglass. Additionally, because precast products are designed and manufactured for simple connection, many components can be installed in a short time.
REDUCED WEATHER DEPENDENCY
Precast concrete increases efficiency because weather will not delay production. In addition, weather conditions at the jobsite do not significantly affect the schedule. This is because it reuires less time to install precast compared with other construction methods, such as cast-in-place concrete. Precast concrete can be easily installed on demand and immediately backfilled – there is no need to wait for it to cure.
WATERTIGHTNESS
Precast concrete products produced in a quality-controlled environment and used with high-quality sealants offer a superior solution to watertightness requirements. Standard watertight sealants are specially formulated to adhere to precast concrete, making watertight multiple-seam precast concrete structures possible.
EFFICIENCY
Precast concrete products arrive at the jobsite ready to install. There is no need to order raw materials such as reinforcing steel and concrete, and there is no need to expend time setting up forms, placing conrete or waiting for the concrete to cure.
AESTHETICS
Precast concrete products are both functional and decorative. They can be shaped and molded into an endless array of sizes and configurations. Precast concrete can also be produced in virutally any color and a wide variety of finishes (exposed aggregate, smooth-as-cast, acid-etched, sandblasted) to achieve the desired appearance for building and site applications.
LOW MAINTENANCE
Precast concrete requires little or no maintenance which makes it an ideal choice for nearly any design solution.
Information is provided courtesy of the
National Precast Concrete Association
Bodes Precast Concrete
1861 E Pole Road, Everson, WA 98247-9614