During the stripping, or immediately after it, cracking frequently results because of

thermal shock, or because of minor handling stress. During handling and storage,
precast panels are often exposed to higher loads than their actual design configuration
intended. In the early years, when manufacturers were less aware of the mechanical
strength characteristics of their product, a substantial number of serious failures
occurred within the plant in handling and storage. Now, the design in a good
production unit includes instructions on where to pick up, where to support during
storage, and what characteristics such as edge transport, flat transport, etc., are to be
followed. Typical suggestions include the supporting of the unit at two points only
during storage, and shipping in the same manner of support, with emphasis on the two-
point support criteria.