Design of precast-concrete members under the ACI 318 Building Code follows the same rules as for cast-in-place concrete. In some cases, however, design may not be governed by service loads, because transportation and erection loads on precast members may exceed the service loads.
Design of joints and connections must provide for transmission of any forces due to shrinkage, creep, temperature, elastic deformation, gravity loads, wind loads, and earthquake motion.
(Design and Typical Details of Connections for Precast and Prestressed Concrete, 2d ed., Precast / Prestressed Concrete Institute.)
