2014 – looking forward to the better half

24144 SAB 05/2014
2014 – looking forward
to the better half
It seems like only yesterday that we welcomed
the new year in – yet, in what seems to have
been the blink of an eye, half the year has
already flashed by. Looking back at the first
half of 2014, it is apparent that ours is an
industry in need of a major boost to emerge
from an abyss of under-performance. In the
first quarter of 2014, the industry has reported
the lowest levels of confidence since 2007. We
also conducted a national skills survey to
determine the levels of skills capacity in
the industry, the findings of which have
confirmed what has been apparent for a long
time now: that our industry is in dire need of
skills development.
What turned out to be more disturbing from
this survey is the approach of the industry
regarding training of the workforce. The survey
showed the low level of support for formal
training among employers. Only about 11% of
the respondents were involved in any form of
accredited or formal training of staff, with close
to two-thirds opting for in-house training. Most
of the employers regarded the current state of
formal accredited artisan training as ‘poor’
while a large percentage of those who were
involved in formal training did so to boost their
B-BBEE status or benefit from tax incentives,
coupled with increased productivity.
JULY 2014
Whilst there seems to be alignment between
the government and the industry on matters
relating to skills, one issue that continues to
plague not only the industry but the economy
as well is the rate of ongoing and unresolved
strikes in key sectors of the economy and the
negative impact they have on the country as a
whole. No sooner had the five months long
strike in the platinum sector been resolved
than a new strike in the Steel and Engineering
Sector emerged. This strike is presently in its
third week and the parties involved do not
seem to be getting any closer to the resolution
of their wage negotiations. With South Africa’s
unemployment rate of over 25% and
economists predicting an even further decline
in the growth of the economy, these issues do
not bode well for the growth and development
of South Africa.
Tumi Dlamini,
executive director
comment
The building industry regards the lack of
supervisory skills on building sites as the most
critical – and potentially disastrous – facet of
the increasing skills shortage in the
construction sector. Based on this alarming
feedback which, in effect, means that many
building contractors are undertaking building
operations without skilled supervision on site,
South Africa should not be surprised if more
structures collapse and more people are killed
or injured in the workplace or on site. The
increasingly regular media reports about such
disastrous building collapses merely endorse
our members’ apprehension.
In response to this current state of affairs, an
overwhelming 80%-plus of the respondents
said they would support the establishment of a
national training register of qualified artisans
for the building industry, a move that will
without a doubt improve not only our data in
terms of tracking skills but will also encourage
training and skills development by various
role-players. The results of the survey simply
echo the long-standing MBSA plea for
increased and improved training facilities,
driven by government.
In all, the first part of 2014 has certainly
presented its own challenges. As we move into
the next half, we can only but hope that it will
certainly be the better half.
Until next month.
1
®
The official journal of Master Builders South Africa
14
Master Builders South Africa
Tumi Dlamini – Executive Director
Pierre Fourie – Operations Director
234 Alexandra Avenue,
Halfway House, Midrand
Box 1619, Halfway House, 1685
Tel: 011 205 9000
Fax: 011 315 1644
Website: www.mbsa.org.za
e-mail: [email protected]
MBSA Members:
1073rd issue - Established 1923 - JULY 2014
See last page
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www.sabuilder.co.za
Comment
Readymix concrete
by the executive director of MBSA......................1
Core testing: is your lab SANS accredited?..... 11
MBA news
Behardien elected for second term as
President of KZN-MBA.........................................4
We're serious about infrastructure spend –
KZN MEC: Finance..............................................5
Construction health and safety
Is your building disability friendly?.......................6
Cutting edge, real-time moisture
measurement secures readymix in transit........12
AfriSam’s new Saldanha Bay readymix plant
boosts local infrastructural growth.....................14
Chryso admixtures play key role in
readymix.............................................................16
Sustainable readymix under the spotlight.........17
COVER STORY
Mobile Clinic is a hit.............................................7
Sephaku's flagship plant, Aganang: let
delivery begin......................................................18
Economic
Geotechnical
Sales manager: Sophia Nel
PPP’s essential in addressing the challenges
we face..................................................................8
Franki Africa accelerates Keller’s growth into
sub-Saharan Africa.............................................20
Project manager: Sophia Nel
The times they are a-changing............................8
The modern art of stabilising base soils............22
Editor: John Thomé
e-mail: [email protected]
Civils confidence plummets to 44........................9
Advertising:
Wendy Ansell
011 726 3081
e-mail: [email protected]
Historic piling method to preserve CBD
heritage site........................................................24
Industry news
A geotechnical solution for canal system..........26
Late payments continue to threaten
beleaguered construction industry.....................10
Site preparation
BIBC increases compliance enforcement
staff by 80%........................................................10
FAW tipper fleet keeps Ross Demolition’s
116-year success story on track........................28
Publisher: Ken Nortje
Manager: Wendy Ansell
Production:
Johan Malherbe
Meinardt Tydeman
Jenny van Lelyveld
Accounts:
e-mail: [email protected]
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Despatch: Willie Molefe
Printer: Typo Colour Printing
Whilst every effort is made to ensure
accurate and objective reporting, the
publisher cannot be held responsible for
inaccurate information published.
The opinions expressed by contributors are
not necessarily those of the publisher or
MBSA.
Copyright: All rights reserved
BEE Compliant
2
32
Cover
story
16
see page 18
contents
Tata's new Prima 10 cube tipper.......................30
A new bench-mark for intelligent
compaction.........................................................31
Cat launches new medium class excavator
range...................................................................32
Earth retainage
Geotextile cuts costs in retaining wall
reinforcement......................................................34
Solutions for steep embankments.....................35
New retaining wall block makes its
debut...................................................................36
Project news
Hollow-core slabs by Echo enable fast-track
office development.............................................38
Into Africa
Service and support – the key to success in
Africa...................................................................42
SASFA takes LSFB cross-border......................43
Company news
GIBB reaches R1 billion turnover......................44
ASSA ABLOY celebrates 20 years....................45
A blast from the past
Extracts from the South African Builder
archives – May 1964..........................................46
Events 2014
Menlyn Maine - Africa’s first Green City............39
Forthcoming events for the building and
construction industry..........................................47
Product news
People......................................................... 48
A new VIP polyurea coating attracts local
contracts.............................................................40
Skills and training
MBSA members and affiliates
listing. ............................................................48
SA's first ever Construction Adjudication
course launched.................................................41
36
SA Builder is available
online:
Visit
www.sabuilder.co.za
38
3
mba news
Behardien elected for second term as
President of KZN-MBA
At the 113th Annual General Meeting of the KwaZulu-Natal Master Builders and Allied Industries Association
(KZN-MBA) held at the Master Builders Centre in Westville, Durban, Mogamat Behardien was elected to a
second term as President of the Association.
D
uring the proceedings the meeting reiterated that
the focus of the Association is to remain on
strengthening industry transformation initiatives,
both in KwaZulu-Natal and nationally. It was also
noted that throughout the year emphasis was placed on
improving relations with other institutions and the Provincial
Government. “Establishing and maintaining key
relationships with relevant stakeholders is critical to
effectively opening the door for engagement and a more
productive industry,” said Behardien.
Keynote speaker for the occasion was the newly appointed
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance Ms Belinda Francis Scott,
who expressed her appreciation for the role being played
by the Association in its contribution to small and informal
businesses, occupational health and safety and the clinic
model. Attention was drawn to a process which was
designed to standardise the approach to contracts entered
into in Government.
Scott called on the KZN-MBA to partner with the
Department in a process of reviewing of contracts entered
into between government and service providers. She
announced that the Department is serious about
infrastructure delivery and its programme to blacklist
contractors where appropriate. The MEC expressed her
commitment to construction and to working with the
Association to drive infrastructure delivery in the Province.
Executive director of the KwaZulu-Natal Master Builders
Association, Vikashnee Harbhajan, in her address informed
members that during the period under review, Master
Builders KwaZulu-Natal had reached several strategic
milestones. Growth in membership was achieved while
member retention improved significantly, auguring well for
the local building industry.
KwaZulu-Natal Master Builders Association Executive Council
2014/2015. Left to right top row: Ryan Benians – Bencon Projects;
Kevin Dicks – Dicks Construction; Mike Bekker – MCB Projects;
Marcus Gonzalves – FS Gonzalves Construction; Phumelele Bam –
Zenzulwazi Plumbing and Contracting; Clive Dwarika – 2c Projects;
Steve Poorter – Aveng Grinaker-LTA; Brian Chetty – Pilosio SA; and
Francois Louw – Met Builders (VP). Left to right bottom row: Chris
Cusens – WBHO (VP); Chris Nott – Nott’s Projects, T / A Unicon;
Vic Naidoo – C&R Contractors (Immediate Past President);
Joyce Dolly Tembe – Sakhisizwe Development Training (VP);
Mogamat Behardien – NMC (President); Mpume Mhlongo –
Microvulintuthuko Business Enterprise(VP); and Thabile Gidigidi
– Khosi Development and Construction
“The Emerging Contractor Programme is the flagship of
the Association, providing training, support, advice and
mentorship to emerging contractors,” said Harbhajan.
She also announced that the Association has
implemented an anti-corruption programme in its efforts
to promote fair and ethical business practices, and
that a quality improvement programme has been
created, bringing industry stakeholders together to
enhance standards in the KZN building and
construction environment.
At the meeting the Association also proudly launched
the Master Builders Occupational Health Clinic, which
was formally opened earlier by the MEC: Finance prior
to the commencement of the AGM.
The clinic complements the Association’s Mobile Clinic
Service which was designed to minimise downtime by
conducting medical examinations on site. Mogamat Behardien, President – KZN-MBA; Ms Belinda Francis
Scott, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance; Vikashnee Harbhajan,
Executive Director – KZN-MBA
4
The executive director took the opportunity to assure
members that the Association will continue to serve in
their best interests and thanked them for their support
and participation. to page 5
JULY 2014
mba news
We’re serious about infrastructure spend –
KZN MEC: Finance
MEC Scott, in her address to the Annual General Meeting of the KwaZulu-Natal Master Builders and Allied
Industries Association (KZN-MBA) in June, stated that the issue of poor quality impacts on the fiscus. She
further stated, “We are serious about infrastructure spend as the province will be spending a total of
R46,317 billion over the forthcoming three years. As Provincial Treasury, we are in a process of reviewing
contract management and policy development over three phases. Phase one looked at the contracts – and
we came up with a comprehensive list of all contracts in the province.
W
“
e are also working on extending this to our
municipalities, which is in its second phase
where we are in the process of doing contract
reviews. Although we have in-depth knowledge
of all the contracts in each and every department, the
challenge we are facing in this phase is that most
departments do not have the necessary skills – resulting in
the need for the private sector to draft contracts for them –
which is wasteful expenditure – which is why we are now
going through all our government contracts to identify gaps
and problem areas.
“This process will culminate with phase three where we are
fast-tracking project management. For particular aspects
such as construction of roads and building of schools we
want to have draft standard contracts with government,
which are more easily monitored.
“However, we are cognisant of the fact that we need skills to
monitor this process. This is where we are going as
Provincial Treasury to establish a standardised approach
added into infrastructure in government which will not only
be security for us as government but it will also create
certainty within the private sector, as non-adherence will
result in penalties being imposed. Part of this vision is that
we also employ a specialist legal team to drive this
process,” concluded MEC Scott. ■
from page 4
Mike Bekker
Ash Maharaj
The Executive Council for the KwaZulu-Natal Master
Builders and Allied Industries Association for the next term
of office is as follows:
Name
Mogamat
Behardien
Francois Louw
Joyce Dolly
Tembe
Chris Cusens
Mpume Mhlongo
Vic Naidoo
JULY 2014
We are in a process of reviewing infrastructure contract
management and policy development over three phases –
Belinda Scott, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance in her address
to the Annual General Meeting of the KwaZulu-Natal
Master Builders and Allied Industries Association
Company
Office
NMC
President
Met Builders
Sakhisizwe
Development Training
WBHO
Microvulintuthuko
Business Enterprise
Vice President
C & R Contractors
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Immediate
Past President
MCB Projects
Edison Power
Nott’s Projects T / A
Chris Nott
Unicon
Ryan Benians
Bencon Projects FS Gonzalves
Marcus Gonzalves
Construction
Steve Poorter
Aveng Grinaker-LTA
Ayanda
Masakane
Notshweleka
Construction
Khosi Development
Thabile Gidigidi
and Construction
Zenzulwazi Plumbing
Phumelele Bam
and Contracting
Kevin Dicks
Dicks Construction
Brian Chetty
Pilosio SA
Clive Dwarika
2c Projects
5
Is your building disability friendly?
Johannesburg based company, Capability Careers, dedicated to the recruitment of people with disabilities,
has developed a specialised “building access audit service” to assist property owners in establishing –
and improving – the access to their buildings by the disabled.
T
construction health and safety
“
he purpose of an Access Audit is to establish how
well a building performs in relation to access and
ease of use by a wide range of potential users,”
says MD of Capability Careers, Pascalle Jacquelin.
“This includes people with physical immobility and
sensory impairments.”
Why conduct such an audit?
• It is the first reasonable step for companies to
recognise and record the possible obstacles that
employees with disabilities face on a daily basis,
because it broadens the outlook of our clients
to take further action in finding solutions to
these challenges.
• By considering existing management and organisation
features of a building and the service from it, our
aim is to achieve maximum accessibility for all
employees, regardless of their ability level.
• Building and property owners should consider
developing a long term action plan, taking all staff
members into consideration where the incorporation of
reasonable adjustments on future renovation, regular
maintenance and budget planning for substantial
capital costs can be considered.
There are two stages to complete in an access audit.
Stage 1: Needs Analysis
Before a comprehensive access audit report can be
generated, a needs analysis must be conducted. This
is performed on the client’s premises for a few hours
per day for about a month. This observation is crucial
in the understanding of betterment for the organisation
as a whole.
It is to be noted that during the needs analysis, individuals
are deployed who are able to perceive the company from
different perspectives, such as being in a wheelchair or
being blind.
The first two weeks are for observational purposes;
and the last two weeks focus on more practical
access aspects.
The needs analysis covers the following:
From arrival at the premises
• parking
• approach and routes to entrance
• lighting and signage to entrance
• surfaces of approach
• street and grounds furniture.
Ease of access to the building/s
• steps and ramps
• entrance doors and thresholds
• reception areas including desks, seating and lighting.
Mobility around the premises
• width of corridors
• internal direction signs
• floor surfaces
• vertical circulation – lifts and stairs.
6
Capability Careers offers a specialised “building access
audit service” (Photo: www.forcivilminds.org)
Use of services inside the building/s
• toilets, wash-rooms, change-rooms and bathrooms
• access to and in eating and bar areas
• lighting, heating and acoustics
• accessibility of switches, handles and controls
• seating and furniture
• telephones and electrical equipment
• alarms and ease of access.
Exiting the building/s
• fire exits and escape routes
• emergency lighting and warning systems
• safe refuge areas in event of fire.
Management practices of the building and services
• keeping routes clear and obstructions removed
• maintenance of lighting, heating and alarm systems
• attitudinal approach of staff.
Stage 2: Access Audit Report
The Access Audit Report records the building status
and establishes how well that building performs in
terms of access and ease of use by a wide range of
potential users.
It identifies good and bad practice, design and layout
in regard to access for people with disabilities,
identifying obstacles to people with immobility and
sensory impairments.
In addition, the Access Audit Report will then seek to find
solutions to access problems, with recommendations on
remedial construction work to be undertaken at various
priority levels.
For more information or to have an access
audit performed on your property, contact:
Pascalle Jacquelin on 011 726 3081 (ext. 281);
083 543 3257; or [email protected] ■
JULY 2014
Mobile Clinic is a hit
KwaZulu-Natal Master Builders Association (KZN-MBA)
recently introduced a Mobile Clinic service.
T
his is a medical surveillance service which provides
medical examinations and screening tests for
clients’ employees on-site. The service is available
to Association members as well as to non-members
in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Travel to neighbouring
provinces can also be arranged if required.
The addition of the Mobile Clinic to the Association’s
portfolio of services further enhances its excellent service
delivery to clients. “We are acutely aware of the business
constraints involved in doing medical surveillance on
employees during working hours,” says KZN-MBA’s
construction health and safety manager, Neels Nortje.
“Through the Mobile Clinic we ensure that we are able to
work with our clients in making the process of medical
examinations as seamless as possible and with the
minimum amount of disruption.” ■
construction health and safety
Although the service is aimed primarily at the the building
and construction industry, it is also offered to a wide range
of clients in many different industries.
The KZN-MBA Mobile Clinic
24394 SAB 07/2014
The Mobile Clinic service is available to Association members as well as to non-members
JULY 2014
7
PPP’s essential in addressing the
challenges we face
Sustainable growth within the construction industry requires a pro-active approach to
development. This is according to Brian Africa, marketing and business development
Brian Africa
economic
executive at PCBS:
T
“
he National Development Plan (NDP) is nothing
profound. It’s been a plan in the pipeline and will
remain as such unless there’s a swift change in
mindset by all South Africans – general public,
entrepreneurs, state and private sector workers and
leaders alike. While infrastructure development and
economic growth can no longer be seen as the sole
responsibility of government, government too needs to
accept its limitations in implementing these projects.
The construction collusion investigation and the outcome
of the report has created a deepened distrust between
the private and public sector and is delaying the
implementation of the NDP. It is also evident that the
public sector lacks the capacity to move the NDP
beyond a plan and into active projects.
We have our own shining examples of project implementation
such as the Renewable Energy Independent Power
Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP) and various
other public- private-sectors partnerships (PPPs). And as
a member of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and
South Africa emerging economies) we have the necessary
access to a global reference on how infrastructure
development can be rolled out.
With our clearly demonstrated ability to roll out REIPPP
phases together with the framework shift and
government’s acceptance that the public sector lacks the
capacity to implement infrastructure projects, there is no
plausible reason why, technically, the NDP has not
adequately commenced. As underwriters to emerging
contractors, we have first hand experience and have
witnessed the capacity of emerging contractors to deliver
on municipal, provincial and national infrastructure projects.
We believe that the success of the REIPPP and numerous
PPP’s have illustrated that through policy framework shifts
in procurement processes, consultation and transparency,
and the correct allocation of risk and accountability
amongst stakeholders, we can effectively implement any
infrastructure project. PPPs thus remain essential in
addressing many of the challenges we face.
These vehicles create a very different risk profile for any
financial services provider which allows us to keep the
pricing of these services low and the bankability of these
projects have numerous benefits. Our infrastructure
development plan is essentially fragmented and not well
packaged. These are all signs that the industry is not
undergoing sustainable growth.
Institutions like the IMF, World Bank and even closer to
home, the African Development Bank repeatedly note
that funding can only be unlocked if these projects
are bankable.
Ultimately sustainable growth within the construction industry
requires a pro-active approach to development.” ■
The times they are a-changing
Themba Moyo
Companies in the global engineering and construction sector have fresh confidence in the growth
prospects for the industry.
S
o says Themba Moyo, COO of MMQS, a leading
infrastructure cost management consultancy firm
which specialises in quantity surveying, estimating,
cost accounting, planning and scheduling, and
cost engineering. “This means that as quantity surveyors
(QS) we need to think differently about the industry as a
whole and the role that both the public and private sector
need to play to ensure we continue to gain momentum,
roll out infrastructure plans and contribute to the growth of
SA’s GDP,” said Moyo.
“To unlock investment opportunities on the continent
we need a sound investment climate. As such, risk
management is key. We need to create a stable yet
enabling environment based on sound governance.
We are starting to see more large scale multi-use
projects such as Waterfall Estate which not only has
8
residential units, but a school, a hospital, retail blocks and
so on,” says Moyo.
“Thus the emerging cost manager is intrinsically involved
in defining, managing and cementing all four pillars –
scope, quality, time and cost – towards the overall success
of any project which with the changing industry has
certainly become more dynamic.” On larger or more
complex projects a cost engineering specialist is essential
in order to optimise processes and to put efficient financial
control measures in place.
“Times are changing – budgets are tighter, expectations
are higher and risks are amplified. So to ensure that the
construction industry is on the right path those in the industry
need to drive innovation, diversity and collaboration to
ensure positive changes,” concluded Moyo. ■
JULY 2014
Civils confidence plummets to 44
Mirroring the fall in the FNB/BER Building Sector Confidence index for the second quarter reported in
South African Builder in June, the Civils Construction Confidence index has revealed a similar slide, dropping
from 55 to 44 index points in 2Q2014.
Confidence was lower despite a marked increase
in construction activity. “This mismatch between activity
and confidence is likely due to the spread of construction
work, which seems concentrated among a few firms and
provinces,” said Sizwe Nxedlana, chief economist at FNB.
rise in construction work, as profit margins remained more
or less unchanged” said Nxedlana
Respondents are more positive about the outlook with the
growth in activity and profitability expected to accelerate
further in 3Q2014. ■
economic
T
his is a total fall of 22 index points for the first half
of the year.
Civil construction
The protracted strike in the platinum sector and weak
economic growth prospects, however, may have
made respondents more concerned about the current
business environment.
Construction work in 2Q2014 was likely influenced by:
• Higher capital expenditure (capex) by public
corporations
• Increased infrastructure spending by general
government
• Weaker private sector construction demand as a result
of the prolonged industrial action in the platinum sector.
Growth in construction activity
24363 SAB 07/2014
Overall profitability and employment in the sector
increased during the quarter. “This is a direct result of the
JULY 2014
9
Late payments continue to threaten
beleaguered construction industry
One of the biggest challenges facing the beleaguered South African building industry is late payments for
projects – particularly by government departments and enterprises, says Prof Tinus Maritz, head of the
Department of Construction Economics, and chairman of the School for the Built Environment at the
industry news
University of Pretoria.
T
his is despite ongoing
efforts to eliminate this
issue through engagement
with government by
appropriate industry bodies.1
Speaking at a recent Master
Builders Association North (MBA
North) business networking
breakfast, Prof Maritz, said:
“Smaller and emerging contractors
are most prone to be negatively
affected and even ruined by late
Late payments by
payments. It is of great concern
government are
that regulations mooted by Master
severely hurting the
building industry, says
Builders South Africa and submitted
Prof Tinus Maritz, of the to the National Department of
University of Pretoria
Public Works (NDPW) by the
Construction Industry Development
Board, for promulgation, have still not been acted upon
nearly four years after first being drafted.”
Prof Maritz said countries such as the UK, Singapore,
New Zealand and Australia had gone beyond regulations
with specific construction legislation put in place to protect
contractors against late or non-payment. “We feel the draft
regulations submitted to the NDPW are a move in the
same direction although, even if accepted, the local
industry would still be years behind those countries in
terms of refining the laws and getting Government and all
other parties involved to cooperate.
“The draft regulations address some of the major causes
of late payments, contractual issues and disputes, as well
as the rights and obligations of each party. They also seek
solutions that may mitigate lengthy court battles and work
on the premise that as long as all parties involved
understand the requirements of a project, there will be
fewer disputes in future. We also need to put in place set
standards of uniformity and standard documentation to
ensure everyone understands the contents of a contract.”
He said this would increase cost efficiencies and provide
uniformity in procurement, as well as making tendering
easier and more precise. He also urged all parties,
including Master Builders South Africa, to maintain
pressure on regulators to fast track the proposed
legislation, especially parts relating to prompt payment
protection and adjudication in the event of a dispute. “This
would allow a more nurturing environment for contractors
and SMMEs in future,” he told the meeting. ■
1 S
ee Pages 4-17, South African Builder, October 2013: MBSA Congress 2013 Report
– Contracts and non-payment”; Pages 16-17, South African Builder, November/
December 2013: “Non-payment – the solution is ours”; and Page 34, South African
Builder, March 2014; “Feature on Adjudication, Mediation & Arbitration.”
Bibc increases compliance enforcement staff by 80%
The Building Industry Bargaining Council (Cape of Good Hope) (BIBC) has put drastic measures in place to
increase compliance with its Collective Agreement, by increasing its permanent compliance-enforcement
staff by more than 80%.
T
“
he primary focus of this enforcement team is to
ensure that all contractors in the building industry
adhere to conditions laid down in the Collective
Agreement in accordance with the Labour Relations
Act,” explained Arnold Williams, Secretary for the Building
Industry Bargaining Council (Cape of Good Hope).
In addition to increasing its staff complement, the
Compliance Department will further be supported by
nearly thirty interns from a local college to assist with
administrative and enforcement duties. The Council
aims to create a level playing field in the industry
whereby all contractors compete with the same labour
costs and conditions, and this strategy will significantly
increase their visibility in the industry and speed up the
enforcement process.
The Collective Agreement is aimed at ensuring stability in
the building industry and governs the industry as a whole.
10
All building and building related contractors, such as
plumbers and painters, are compelled by law to comply
with the BIBC’s Collective Agreement within their area of
jurisdiction. “It is our role to prescribe minimum wages for
the industry as negotiated by the trade unions and the
employer bodies that are parties to the Council and who
represent the majority of workers in the industry; as well
as to administer several employee benefit funds on behalf
of the industry, thus in many ways alleviating the
administration burden of the employer,” added Williams.
Employers and employees in the Peninsula, Boland,
Malmesbury and Overstrand areas are represented by the
Master Builders’ and Allied Trades Association Western
Cape; Boland Master Builders’ and Allied Trades
Association Boland; Building Workers Union; Building,
Wood and Allied Workers Union of South Africa; National
Union of Mineworkers and the Building Construction and
Allied Workers’ Union. ■
JULY 2014
Core testing: is your lab SANAS
accredited?
The Concrete Institute regularly receives numerous queries regarding the testing of concrete, mostly about
testing for compressive strength.
When cores are taken, they should be drilled and
prepared in accordance with SANS 5865. As it is very
difficult to carry out the test correctly, The Concrete
Institute strongly recommends that cores only be tested at
a laboratory that is SANAS accredited for this test by the
Cores can also be taken from non-suspect concrete in
similar elements and locations for comparison purposes.
Core strength acceptance criteria
Usually, the in-situ strength as measured by a core will be
lower than the standard cube strength of the same
concrete due to many factors, including the location of the
test sample, its curing and temperature history, and the
degree of compaction.
A large research project was carried out in South Africa
some years ago by the Portland Cement Institute which
involved testing a very large number of cores from
different concretes from around the country, different
directions of drilling relative to placing direction and
to page 13
23582 SAB 02/2014
“Typically, cores are taken as a “knee-jerk” reaction after
suspect cube results are received. Such testing is not
good practice as it tends to aggravate disputes, not solve
them. If cube results are suspect, further investigation
should be agreed between all those involved. Most
importantly, before testing is started, the parties should
agree the acceptance criteria for further tests. It is
recommended that the criteria contained in Clause 14.4.3
of SANS 10100-2 are used for the acceptance or
otherwise of concrete core results.
South African National Accreditation System (SANAS).
There have been instances of laboratories claiming
SANAS accreditation who in fact are not accredited for
this particular test. This can be checked and verified on
the SANAS website: www.sanas.co.za
readymix
T
his is an indication that many in the construction
industry do not fully understand the importance of
testing of concrete, the significance of test
procedures and the interpretation of test results.
Here Bryan Perrie, MD of The Concrete Institute,
discusses the core test:
Cutting edge, real-time moisture
measurement secures readymix in transit
For the first time in South Africa, Bluetooth, GSM, Windows, smart phones, microwave and high-tech
electronics work together in a new and innovative system to secure the technical status of readymix
readymix
concrete in transit from the supplier’s batch plant to handover/delivery at the construction site.
S
outh African Builder spoke to Quintin Booysen,
marketing and sales manager for Pan Mixers
South Africa (PMSA), renowned manufacturer and
supplier of a wide range of well-known concrete
related equipment, about this system.
“This is a new development from the well-known Franz
Ludwig company in Germany,” explained Booysen. “The
system, designated FL-MOBI-MIC Inspector, consists of a
microwave moisture measuring probe and a consistency
measuring bar with transmission unit mounted on the
rotating drum on the truck, which in turn communicates via
Bluetooth to a receiver module in the cab.” A Windows
based smartphone or compatible device then forwards
this signal via GSM connection, enabling the data to be
available in virtually any location. An industrial standard for
the ‘Bluetooth’ connection ensures reliable data transfer at
long range even under challenging conditions.
“Most importantly,” continued Booysen, “in addition to the
transmission of product moisture data, the system also
sends other crucial process parameters such as product
temperature, consistency, slump, residual water, filling
Measured values and data are transmitted via the GSM network,
enabling the data to be available from virtually any location
Visual display of the measuring field
12
Readings are transmitted via an industrial standard ‘Bluetooth’
connection which ensures reliable data transfer at long range,
even under challenging conditions
level, rotating direction and speed of the mixing drum – for
full process real-time monitoring.”
“This puts the supplier in full control for the first time,” said
Booysen. “On delivery, or at any point along the route, the
supplier is aware of any change introduced to the readymix
product, including the addition of water on-site. All too often
we hear of water being added to speed up discharging of
the load. This system eliminates that and other risks entirely,
significantly contributing to and securing the quality control
of readymix deliveries. We are pleased to announce that
PMSA has the sole rights in Africa for the distribution,
installation and support of the FL-MOBI-MIC Inspector system.”
The FL-MOBI-MIC Inspector system is now available from
PMSA for installation on readymix transporters. FL-MOBIMIC Inspector monitors and forwards the following process
parameters in real-time: Moisture; Consistency; Slump;
Residual water; Temperature; Mix drum speed; Mix drum
rotation; Direction; Mix drum filling level; Concrete
moisture course. ■
Installation of microwave probes in mixers
Installation of a microwave probe in a
bulk material
JULY 2014
from page 11
different degrees of curing. Based on those results, the
following criteria were included in SANS 10100-2 Clause
14.3.3 which states
14.4.3.1 If the average core strength is at least 80% of the
specified strength (see 14.3.3), and if no single core
strength is less than 70% of the specified strength, the
concrete shall be accepted.
14.4.3.3 If the core strength does not meet the acceptance
criteria of 14.4.3.1 and 14.4.3.2, the following should be
considered in relation to the deficient part of the structure:
a) strength requirements for the member(s);
b) performance of a full-scale load test as in clause 15;
c) strengthening the deficient part of the structure; and
d) removal and replacement of the deficient part of
the structure.
Correct use of the process and criteria outlined above will
hopefully result in quicker resolution of disputes relating to
strength testing of concrete.
As is often the case in the construction industry, the key to
improvement is better education and training at all levels.
The Concrete Institute’s publications and training courses
provide an invaluable education resource on many
aspects of concrete and concrete testing; and The
Institute’s Advisory Service is also available to provide
guidance to the industry on all aspects of concrete and
concrete testing.
For more information, telephone 011 315 0300 or
visit www.theconcreteinstitute.org.za ■
24371 SAB 07/2014
Conclusion:
Core testing is difficult and to ensure reliable results, only
laboratories accredited for the test should be used.
When cube results fail or are suspect, it is important to
determine whether the failure is due to poor sampling,
sample preparation or testing so that deficiencies can be
rectified. Only once it is clear that the concrete in the
structure may be suspect, should core testing be
considered. Before the cores are drilled, the acceptance
criteria should be agreed and it is recommended that
those in SANS 10100-2 be used.
readymix
14.4.3.2 If the concrete in a certain area fails to comply
with 14.4.3.1 because a single core result falls below
70% of the specified strength, a further set of three cores
may be taken from the same area, to determine the extent
of deficient concrete. If the new set of three cores
complies with the requirements of 14.4.3.1, the area
represented by this second set of cores shall be
considered acceptable. If the new set of cores fails to
comply with the requirements of 14.4.3.1, then criterion
14.4.3.3 applies.
It is important that if cube strength testing is carried out –
and it is mandatory on most projects – that it is carried out
correctly to provide the designer with peace of mind
knowing that concrete with the correct potential strength
was used and to ensure that the contractor is paid for the
concrete. It is also critical that the results are interpreted
correctly to ensure compliance with the specification.
JULY 2014
13
readymix
Maintaining a presence close to its burgeoning customer base
drove AfriSam to establish a readymix plant in Saldanha Bay’s
Industrial Development Zone
AfriSam’s Saldanha Bay readymix plant has a maximum
capacity of 70 m3 per hour
AfriSam’s new Saldanha Bay readymix
plant boosts local infrastructural growth
Maintaining a presence close to its burgeoning customer base led AfriSam to establish a readymix plant in
Saldanha Bay’s Industrial Development Zone. Fully operational since June 2014, the plant has a production
capacity of 70 m³ per hour.
B
evin Cornelius, AfriSam’s building construction
materials territory manager in the Cape, explains
that the plant will service the entire Saldanha Bay
municipal area, including St Helena Bay,
Saldanha Bay, Langebaan, Paternoster, Jacobsbaai,
Vredenburg and Hopefield. “We selected the site at
Saldanha’s Industrial Development Zone due to its close
proximity to the upcoming projects within the central hub
of the Saldanha Bay municipal area.”
According to Cornelius, the company has planned for
some time to increase its footprint in the region and was
encouraged by the announcement of the upcoming
contracts to build the Langebaan Hospital, the further
extensive development of Saldanha’s Industrial
Development Zone (IDZ) and the widening of the port
at Saldanha Bay.
The enormous project, which should lead to the integrated
development of the Saldanha Port, the Saldanha Industrial
Development Zone (IDZ), Saldanha Municipality and the
Saldanha/Langebaan Coastal and Nature areas on the
West Coast of South Africa, will require extensive
investments in port development, IDZ facilities, industry
establishment and expansions. It is forecast that there
will be employment growth of approximately 10 000 jobs
in the initial development phase and up to
40 000 jobs when the industrial zone and port
are fully developed.
“Not only will each of these projects require large
amounts of readymix product, but they will also
prompt the increased development of
infrastructure to support these projects. These
would typically include roads, schools, clinics,
sewage systems and housing, which in turn will
also require readymix concrete,” says Cornelius.
AfriSam’s Saldanha Bay readymix facility will
comprise offices, storage silos for cement and
storage areas for other aggregates, as well as
delivery and dispatch areas to accommodate the
company’s readymix delivery trucks.
The new AfriSam’s Saldanha Bay readymix plant was fully
operational in early June 2014
14
Cornelius adds that the feedback received from
the community to date is very positive. “Local
readymix consumers welcome the entry of another
readymix supplier in the area, and AfriSam looks
forward to bringing to the area its recognised
quality products and superior services.” ■
JULY 2014
24242 SAB 07/2014
readymix
Scribante Concrete is applying a range of Chryso’s ‘new generation’ admixtures in its readymix concrete batch plant at the Baywest Mall construction site in the Eastern Cape
Chryso admixtures play key role in readymix
Patrick Flannigan, Eastern Cape area manager for Chryso South Africa, says Chryso is supplying a number of
products to Scribante Concrete at the Baywest Mall development to enhance the properties of the
readymix concrete used on site.
S
cribante Concrete has a dedicated readymix
concrete batch plant on site to supply about
57 000 cubic metres of concrete for the
construction of Phase 1 of the project.
One such product is ChrysoPlast Omega 122, one of
Chryso’s ‘new generation’ admixtures. When included in
the concrete mix, this water reducer/plasticiser helps
maintain workability during concrete placement and
minimises shrinkage, while also improving the rheology of
the concrete. This admixture is particularly suited to
readymix concrete as it promotes excellent dispersion
of the particles in the concrete, greatly enhancing its
fluidity. It helps to achieve a high performance concrete
with a low water-to-cement ratio, boosting slump retention,
reducing segregation and providing exceptional cohesive
qualities to concrete.
An aerial view of the Baywest Mall construction site
16
Another admixture in use on the project is ChrysoPlast
Omega 136. “This admixture is an essential part of the
concrete mix produced by Scribante Concrete for the
construction of the post-tension slabs where a concrete
strength of 20MPa had to be attained within just three
days to tension the cables,” Flannigan explained. The
plasticiser/water reducer, which has considerable flexibility
and a variety of dosages, can be used in a wide range of
concrete mixes. It is also particularly recommended for
readymix concrete, reduces capillary absorption, improves
compaction and can generally increase mechanical
strength in a short period of time.
ChrysoStab 2 is a mortar retarder being used in
conjunction with ChrysoAir 7 for all mortar produced on
site. “The combination is successfully slowing the setting
of surface mortars for as much as 36 hours. This allows
for the mortar to be batched late at night for use the next
morning to eliminate the delays that mixing mortar first
thing every morning would have caused. A feature of the
mortar retardation caused by ChrysoStab 2 is that air is
entrained at a level of about 20%, depending on the sand
used, to produce substantial cost-savings to the user. The
period of retardation increases with increased dosage and
decreases at high temperature. It is much easier to place
concrete by using this product in the mix and the mortar
will also be much more adhesive,” Flannigan explained.
Chryso Rescue Pack is a plasticiser designed to be added
to the concrete in a readymix truck on site. The product
increases workability and makes it easier to pump or
discharge concrete from trucks that may have been
stationary on site for long periods. Scribante is applying
Chryso Rescue Pack in the concrete being supplied to
Basil Read Newport Joint Venture, the contractors building
the new N2 interchange access to Baywest Mall. ■
JULY 2014
Sustainable readymix under
the spotlight
SARMA Conference – 13 to 14 August 2014.
readymix
Johan van Wyk, general manager
of SARMA
“This year we will be looking at
energy saving initiatives that can
be implemented both by our
manufacturers on site, as well as by
customers making use of SARMA
members’ products. Carbon taxes
will also be discussed as will
methods of reducing our
environmental footprint and
manufacturing green products.
This year’s Southern Africa
Readymix Association’s (SARMA)
annual conference will focus
largely on securing the sustainability
of the industry through discussion
of improved practices, advanced
methods and machinery, as
well as some “out-of-the-box”
thinking from speakers focusing
on new and different ways of
producing readymix.
“We will also share ideas on new
formulae and techniques applied
in construction of sustainable
buildings, as well as examining
new building methods which
make use of readymix concrete
to speed up construction of
houses and building projects.
An exhibition of innovative
machinery will also be on display,”
says SARMA general manager,
Johan van Wyk.
SARMA’s Readymix Conference
is an annual institution among
members of the readymix, cement
and construction industries and
aims at aligning the abilities of
manufacturers and suppliers with
current and future needs of the
construction, engineering and
architectural industries. Raw
material suppliers, including
cement, aggregate, extenders and
admixture manufacturers, will also
play an active role in the conference
by providing insight into new
products available to the industry.
JULY 2014
The conference will be followed by
the association’s annual general
meeting which is open to all
SARMA members.
The SARMA Conference takes
place at Misty Hills Conference
Centre, Muldersdrift, Gauteng on
13 to 14 August 2014.
For more information contact
SARMA, Mary-Ann Sutton, on
011 791 3327, or email:
[email protected] ■
24393 SAB 07/2014
W
hile readymix concrete
is arguably the single
most important
construction material,
the sustainability of supply of all
materials used in its manufacture
needs to be secured to ensure
that suppliers are able to keep
pace with construction projects in
years to come.
17
COVER STOR
Sephaku Cement’s Aganang plant is poised to commence delivery
Sephaku’s flagship plant, Aganang:
let delivery begin
Following a seven year journey of negotiation, planning and construction and
an investment of nearly R3 billion, Sephaku Cement’s fully integrated cement
and clinker plant, Aganang, near Lichtenburg in North West Province, is
scheduled for completion within the next few months.
A
ccording to Pieter Fourie, Sephaku Cement’s
chief executive, Sephaku is the country’s first new
cement entrant in 80 years. “Following the
successful commissioning of our plant in Delmas,
we commenced with delivery of quality cement to the
South African market early this year. We are now reaching
our ultimate milestone as the countdown to completion of
our flagship plant, Aganang, draws nearer,” said Fourie.
Cement manufacturing operations at the Aganang plant will
include limestone mining, chemical processing of raw
materials to produce clinker, as well as the milling of
approximately 50% of the clinker – which is then blended
as appropriate with other components – to produce the
company’s range of finished cement products. The balance
of Sephaku’s cement output will be produced at the
Delmas milling plant.
Quality control
“Building new greenfield cement operations has given us
the opportunity to ensure that we use the most modern,
state-of-the-art cement
manufacturing and
production equipment
available,” said Fourie.
“From our offering of
Sephaku 32, Sephaku
42 and Sephaku 52
cement products to
technical support and
customer service, we
will deliver quality from
start to finish.”
This project has been a once in a
lifetime experience. Not only has it
made us better cement experts,
but better people. Pieter Fourie,
CEO of Sephaku Cement
18
As a new project,
Sephaku Cement was in
a position to dictate
product quality from the
outset. Technology in
use at its plants includes
latest generation
Loesche vertical roller
mills. The Delmas plant,
for example, has
performed faultlessly
Aganang is a demonstration of
trust in the design flexibility and
since its first 48 hour run
durability of concrete. The project
of zero stoppage time as
is an example of the sheer scale
the Loesche mill installed
of construction and productivity
at Delmas continues to
that is possible through concrete
exceed expected
usage; it is an exhibition of massive
throughputs, with a
civil engineering construction
delivering reliability of
scale,
impressive efficiencies and
over 98%. “We had a
intricate precision combined with a
hugely impressive start
dimension of pragmatic innovation.
up at this plant and look
Heinrich de Beer, Sephaku’s
forward to continued
engineering project manager
similar high performance
from our high-tech
Aganang factory as well,” added Fourie.
Production capacity
Built using in excess of 120 000 m3 of concrete and
14 600 tons of structural steel, the Aganang plant is a
concrete superstructure. With a clinker storage
capacity of 50 000 tons, its clinker silo is one of the
largest single clinker storage bunkers in South Africa
and its 6 000 ton kiln is the biggest single cement kiln in
the country.
Its raw meal silo storage capacity will accommodate
20 000 tons, along with raw material pre-blending and
storage stockpiles that extend the length and breadth
of four rugby fields. The facilities also have the capacity
to store approximately 22 000 tons of finished bulk
cement products.
In the region of 1,2 million tons of cement will be produced
annually at Aganang – and the combined output of
Sephaku Cement’s plants is projected to be in the order
of 2,5 mega tons per annum of cement by 2015.
JULY 2014
The team is passionate about the possibilities enabled by
cement. Recalling what it has taken to build cement
operations from the ground up, Fourie said, “While we
have all been in the industry for many years, this project
has been a once in a lifetime experience. Not only has it
made us better cement experts, but better people.”
An aerial view of the Aganang plant
Delivery focus
“We are people who deliver,” said Fourie. “This is the core
ethos which pervades throughout the company. Our
industry is personal and from that flows the need to be
approachable and to find solutions. We continue to
demonstrate our absolute commitment to delivering to
people, whether it is our sales or technical team, or our
finance or marketing team.”
For its customers, one of the important ‘perks’ will be direct
access to Fourie and his executive team, together with
quick decision making. “Face-to-face customer service
without red tape remains the most effective way of listening
to customers and responding in a way that meets their
needs,” he added.
Looking back over the founding team’s seven year journey,
some intense challenges have been overcome. “We never
lost belief in why we were entering the market and we
remain committed to making South Africa’s cement
industry about the needs of the people who make the end
product a reality,” he emphasised.
He concluded, “High quality product, which in our industry
calls for consistency, strength and durability is imperative
but of equal importance is the need to prioritise people.
Solutions focused on every customer’s needs should be a
constant measure of great performance for every
employee and for us, it is.” ■
Did you know?
Aganang’s site footprint was prepared over an
eight week period with some 128 000 m3 of cut and
155 000 m3 of fill processed.
Slip forming was maintained at 4 m lifts every
24 hours, a rate much higher than that of the
industry average. The 15 m high by 8 m diameter
concrete cone in the raw meal silo was completed in
just 10 days. The Aganang brick laying teams laid
between 1 000 and 1 200 bricks per brick layer, per
day. Construction of the batch plant was completed
in 90 days, the pre-heater foundations and steel
super structure were completed in 488 days and the
raw meal silo was done in approximately 547 days.
Community heart
Since the start of the Sephaku Cement project in 2011, the
company policy has been to support communities where it
operates. Affected communities in the North West Province
in which it has invested are Itsoseng, Springbokpan and
Verdwaal, all of which are adjacent to its operations, as
well as Bodibe.
“To date, we have invested in community infrastructure and
supported local income generating projects. This has
included building and equipping a clinic through which
upwards of 3 000 people have dedicated access; and a
Driver Training Programme to make local community
members more employable,” noted Fourie.
During the construction of Aganang, Sephaku Cement
created over 300 limited duration employment
opportunities, of which more than 50% of the people
employed were recruited from local communities. During
the current operational phase of the plant, 76 permanent
employment opportunities have been created, of which
over 60% of these appointments are from adjacent North
West Province communities.
Recession proof
Sephaku Cement’s entry into the market is based on belief
in the long term sustainable growth of cement. Our country,
says Fourie, may have relatively good infrastructure
but there is still a lot to be developed. “Significant
competitiveness and cost efficiency lies in the state-ofthe-art technology backing Sephaku Cement’s plants.”
The company is a 64% owned subsidiary of Dangote
Cement plc and an associate company of JSE-listed
JULY 2014
The Loesche vertical roller mill
19
COVER STORY
Sephaku Holdings.“We navigated our way through the
global recession through determination and belief in our
ability to change the face of the South African cement
industry,” he said.
Franki Africa
accelerates Keller’s
growth into subSaharan Africa
geotechnical
An important aspect of the strategic acquisition of
Franki Africa (previously Esorfranki Geotechnical)
from JSE-listed Esorfranki by the international
Keller Group towards the end of 2013 – was to
bring to the table Franki Africa’s vast experience in
working in Africa.
T
his is according to Justin Atkinson, chief executive
of Keller. “The combination of Franki Africa’s local
knowledge and resources with Keller’s scale,
experience and broad range of techniques will
make us ideally placed to undertake complex major
projects requiring design expertise and multi-product
solutions in a region where we expect the longer-term
opportunities to be significant,” said Atkinson. “This will
help to accelerate Keller’s growth into sub-Saharan
construction markets, where significant growth, fuelled by
major infrastructure and resource-related projects, is
expected over the medium to long term.”
Franki Africa’s MD Roy McLintock says that being part of
the Keller Group is a tremendous boon. “The Keller Group
is the world’s largest independent geotechnical
engineering contractor. Being part of an organisation like
this has obvious and significant benefits for Franki Africa,
including access to a wide range of innovative technologies,
finance for future growth and, of course, a wealth of
geotechnical intellectual property and experience.”
The Keller Group has approximately 8 000 staff worldwide
and global annual revenues of around £1,5 billion.
Piling in Sandton’s hard rock
Franki Africa has received widespread acclaim for its
foundation and general geotechnical work on a host of
different basements in the Sandton area. Two of these most
recent projects include the mammoth 170 000 m³ basement
Final touches being applied to the Sasol project
for Sasol’s new premises and the 60 000 m³ basement for
Webber Wentzel’s new head office, both in Sandton.
“Our main challenge on the Sasol project was to excavate
the 170 000 m³ – of which 100 000 m³ was decomposed
granite rock – to a depth ranging between 14 m and 18 m
and still complete the job in seven months,” says Alves.
“The granite required drilling and blasting, which is
challenging in such a densely populated area as Sandton.”
The scope of works included: 170 000 m³ excavation;
6 600 m² of lateral support; 169 (no) 600-diameter soldier
piles, 550 strand anchors, 400 rock-bolts and a 6 600 m²
gunnite face area. It also included approximately 85 (no)
structural piles and the diversion of existing storm-water and
sewerage lines that ran through the site. The Sasol project
began in May 2013 and was finished in December 2013.
The other basement, that of Webber Wentzel’s new head
office, while considerably smaller than the Sasol
excavation turned out to be quite a lot more challenging.
Of the total excavation of 60 000 m³, no less than
20 000 m³ was extremely hard blue granitic rock. “This is
very hard material which required extensive drilling and
blasting,” says Alves. “But the biggest challenge on this
job was the diabase dyke encountered along the Rivonia
Road face when we were installing the soldier piles.
“This was unexpected and required a completely different
piling application and technique, which entailed us
replacing 40 (no) auger drilled soldier piles with 610 mm
diameter percussion-drilled piles, which took in excess of
a month to install.”
More than 9 000 square metres of gunnite was
covered in both contracts
20
Despite this the contract was completed in an acceptable
time-frame by mid-November 2013. The scope of works
included: 60 000 m³ excavation to a depth ranging
between 8 m and 14 m; 96 (no) 600 diameter soldier piles;
240 (no) strand anchors and 250 (no) rock bolts and a
total gunnite area of 2 900 m². ■
JULY 2014
24268 SAB 07/2014
The modern art of stabilising base soils
Engineers are faced with the unending challenge of maintaining roads, highways, bridges and buildings.
These concrete structures are under continual stress due to constant use, high traffic volumes and
geotechnical
inclement weather.
The Uretek technologies of slab lifting and deep injection successfully stabilise base soils, thereby increasing the load bearing capacity
T
he ground on which we build, is just as important
as what we build. Consequently, the damage
visible on the surface is often an indication of
a deeper problem due to problematic soil
conditions that are either pre-existing or caused by
external influences.
The base material that supports highways and buildings
is crucial to the life span and stability of these structures,
yet the maintenance and repair of base soils is often
neglected. Concrete slabs and foundations crack and
settle due to unstable support.
The current technology of cementitious materials used to
repair damaged or unstable base soils are neither effective
nor long lasting. These short-term solutions fail over time
and can actually compound the problem due to adding
weight to already distressed soils.
Today, engineers are turning to the Uretek patented
technologies of slab lifting and deep injection to
successfully stabilise base soils in order to increase
the load bearing capacity. This technology is also an
alternate, efficient, non–disruptive solution to
underpinning and piling.
Uretek uses its unique process to inject a patented
expanding high density, hydro insensitive and
environmentally safe resin into the problem soil strata to
strengthen and densify the soil.
This is done through multiple injection tubes, which can
achieve a depth of 9m. This injection process is constantly
monitored using rotary laser level and receivers. This
monitoring system guarantees proven results of the
injection process.
The strength and expansive force of the resin is not
affected by water in areas to be injected. In fact it
routinely displaces trapped or accumulated water
beneath the pavement or foundation. These
injections compact the soil increasing its strength
and load bearing capacity. Recorded results have
22
shown an improvement of up to 150% increase in
bearing capacity.
This process of injection easily lifts roads and pavement
slabs to their original grade and profile. This is due to the
chemical reaction of the expansive resin, which being 66%
lighter than concrete does not add weight to an already
potentially compromised soil condition.
The chemically inert nature of the resin prevents chemical
leaching and environmental pollution as it is certified as a
totally green product.
The injection processes are safe, quiet and non-disruptive.
The power, strength and speed of the injection process
makes it ideal for resolving subsidence in numerous
applications, for example: foundations; concrete floors;
highways; bridge approach slabs; and airport runways.
Disruption to traffic flow, business activity and everyday
life is kept to a minimum as the resin reaches 90%
strength in 15 minutes, making the treated area
immediately available for normal use.
Uretek is a proven solution to foundation underpinning
problems by stabilising weak soils due to the filling of
voids, thereby increasing bearing capacity of weak soils.
As part of a worldwide group of Uretek companies, Uretek
Geo-Systems (SA), has provided varied solutions for a
number of sectors across the country, for example,
highways, including: the N1 Pretoria; N12 BoksburgBenoni; N3 Escort, Howick, Pietermaritzburg-Cedara; the
Griffith Mxenge Highway in Umlazi; and the Solomon
Mahlangu Highway in Durban. Other projects in which
Uretek’s slab lifting and deep injection technology has
applied solutions include warehouses, schools, residential
and commercial foundations settlement problems and
heritage buildings.
The company backs each project with a 10-year
material warranty. ■
JULY 2014
24347 SAB 07/2014
geotechnical
Gauteng Piling had to conduct the piling operations for the new
Market Theatre on a site bounded by the Graffiti Building, east of
Mary Fitzgerald Square
Working indoors in the confines of Schlom’s Eating House,
Gauteng Piling called for a return to the historic “pile-driver”
method of piling
Historic piling method to preserve
CBD heritage site
Leading piling contractor, Gauteng Piling, had to resort to the age-old “pile-driver” technique of piling to
cope with space restrictions and heritage preservation while providing the foundation elements for
extensions to the Market Theatre complex currently under way in Newtown, Johannesburg.
T
he Market Theatre Foundation commissioned the
alteration and demolition of some of the buildings
on a city block bounded by Bree Street to the
north, Miriam Makeba Street on the east, and
Margaret Mcingana Street on the west.
The new development – situated east of Mary Fitzgerald
Square and designed by KMH Architects – will provide
additional facilities for the Market Theatre precinct,
including a new theatre, rehearsal rooms, library, gallery
space, classrooms and offices.
The construction site is located amongst some of
Johannesburg’s most historic buildings and façades,
including Schlom’s Eating House, and the Graffiti Building,
east of Mary Fitzgerald Square.
Master Builders Association North member, Gauteng
Piling, was sub-contracted by the main contractor,
Solidaire Construction, to provide 73 auger cast piles and
14 bored piles, varying in depth from eight to twelve
metres, and 250 mm to 850 mm in diameter, on the
development site of about 2 000 m2 in Newtown.
Martin Eygelaar, contracts manager at Gauteng Piling,
said because the Market Theatre Foundation especially
re-arranged the large-scaled redevelopment of its property
to preserve these historic buildings, particular piling
precautions were essential to avoid damaging the
heritage structures.
“The piling required within the confines of Schlom’s
Eating House, in particular, proved to be especially
Gauteng Piling used a Williams Digger LDH rig and a Williams Digger MF rig for unrestricted open-air piling
operations at the new Market Theatre complex
24
JULY 2014
challenging and called for a return to the historic “piledriver” method of piling.
“We utilised a bored piling rig, equipped with an 800 kg
hammer, which was then dropped from a height within the
building itself to create 14 holes, between 6 m and 7 m
deep, and 410 mm in diameter. Reinforced steel cages
were then placed in the piling holes prior to these being
filled with concrete. The use of the “old-fashioned”
compact rig was essential because a normal rig would not
have fitted within the enclosed confines of the building,”
Eygelaar added.
geotechnical
The drop hammer technique of piling is the simplest form
of piling and was through the ages most frequently used
for the installation of concrete piles. The traditional type of
pile driver consists of a heavy weight (drop hammer)
placed between guides so that it is able to freely slide up
and down in a single line. The weight is then raised – now
usually with diesel power, whereas in days of old, with
animal or human labour – and when it reaches its highest
point, it is dropped to smash on to the pile to drive it into
the ground.
Such drop hammers – which can weigh up to 5 000 kg –
are fitted with a lifting eye and lugs for sliding in the
guides. Today, although not commonly used, drop
hammers can be operated with great accuracy – and this
was essential for the Market Theatre project.
For the rest of the auger piling holes required on site,
Gauteng Piling used a Williams Digger LDH rig and a
Williams Digger MF rig. With a torque of 5,5 metric tons,
the Williams LDH digger has for many years been the
benchmark for auger machines in the piling industry.
Williams MF rigs are exceptionally fast, mobile and
reliable with some models capable of drilling to a depth
of 18 metres.
One of the flights used on the Gauteng Piling Williams diggers at
the Market Theatre development is extracted from a piling hole
Adds Eygelaar: “There were no major challenges to
provide the piling in the open air outside the heritage
building, although we did encounter some underground
water for which we had to use the drill-and-cast method
instead of auger piling to prevent collapse. Drill-andcast operations call for a concrete truck to be on standby
right next to the drill rig. When the rig has reached the
required depth, the operator immediately lifts the
extracted soil to the surface and concrete is then cast –
within seconds – to prevent water ingress and the
collapse of the piles.”
Schlom’s Eating House dates back to 1914
and has, according to leading heritage
consultant, Herbert Prins, “strong social
significance”. It was in this “eating house”
that black and white people dined together in
days when restaurants were legally prevented
from serving mixed races. Graffiti Building,
which was at one stage a grain warehouse
before its walls were adorned by graffiti over
the years by some talented street artists, was
built a few years after Schlom’s.
JULY 2014
24155 SAB 07/2014
A total of about 160 cubic metres of concrete and around
three tons of steel were used for the piling contract. ■
25
geotechnical
Two channels were created for stormwater and waste water. The
Kaytech geocells are visible in the foreground
A completed section of the channel
A geotechnical solution for canal system
At the Tweefontein coal mining complex near Ogies in Mpumalanga, consisting of three differently
structured coal mines, two newly designed storm water canals required reinforcement. The solution was
provided by geotechnical specialists, Kaytech, in the form of 100 000 m2 of heavy duty HDPE Geocells.
D
RA Mineral Projects was appointed by Glencore
to design a storm water system that included two
adjacent canals; one to channel dirty water and
one to channel storm (clean) water away from
the workings. The main objective of this storm water
system was to ensure that no unnecessary contamination
of the storm water flowing through the plant and mining
area transpires.
These canals were to be constructed 10 metres apart
covering lengths of 2 800 m each. Since the canals had to
run through some marshy areas, the main contractor,
G4Civbuild JV, required a form of reinforcement that would
prevent any movement over time and hold the concrete
securely in place. DRA recommended a heavy-duty
geocell for the project and Kaytech’s 80 mm and 100 mm
HDPE Geocell was specified.
The Geocell solution provided a 17% cost saving as
opposed to conventional mesh reinforced concrete. In
addition to this saving, the canal could be constructed
significantly quicker due to not having to construct every
second panel and return later for curing and jointing
purposes. This economical and effective system is used
The Kaytech heavy duty geocells are filled
with concrete
26
as an in-situ shuttering to cast continuous interlocking
concrete paving for road or canal construction.
This Geocell is a honeycombed structure, manufactured
from strips of a robust HDPE plastic that are welded
alternately together to form three-dimensional diamondshaped cells, giving a strong structure which does not
collapse when filled with concrete. The sidewalls are
textured and perforated for maximum interlocking between
adjacent cells. It provides a flexible, effective erosion
protection treatment for hydraulic structures such as
channels or canals.
In this mining project, with the water in the canals reaching
high velocities of up to 8 m/s, concrete was used as infill
in the cells. The cell wall heights provide a uniform
concrete thickness profile throughout the geocell layer.
For lower velocity structures, cells may be soil-filled and
vegetated. Failure of a single cell does not compromise
the integrity of the rest of the honeycomb structure and
local repairs are easily conducted.
Since the canals had to pass through clay areas, the
flexibility of the HDPE Geocell system made it the ideal
product. Hydrostatic pressure is relieved through its joints
allowing the Geocell to be installed in high water-table
areas and, because of its geometry, it distributes vertical
load and behaves as a semi-rigid slab thereby limiting
embankment and/or road settlement. Since the Geocell
can be used over soft compressible soils, or to limit the
thickness of the required sub-base layer, no specific
foundation was needed in this project.
Over the years specialist Geocells including Neoweb
made of the proprietary Neoloy has been used
extensively in the construction industry as a fast and
effective solution to canal protection, load support and
erosion control. These versatile products have additional
uses too; due to the dampening properties of their
composite structure, filled honeycomb Geocell mattresses
may be stacked almost vertically to offer good acoustic,
blast and ballistic protection. ■
JULY 2014
24402 SAB 07/2014
site preparation
Ross Demolition's fleet of FAW extra-heavy tipper trucks is integral to the company's success
FAW tipper fleet keeps Ross Demolition’s
116-year success story on track
‘Survival of the fittest through business acumen, keeping your promises and a resilient attitude manifested
by every employee– that’s the recipe for success.’
T
his is the message from a company that has been
going strong for 116 years.
Ross Demolition, head quartered in Cape Town,
has prospered and survived many tough economic times
spanning four generations of a family of engineers – all
dedicated businessmen who not only believed in
inspirational leadership, but in strong fiscal discipline,
commitment and honesty.
Established in 1898 by Henry T Ross, the Ross Demolition
group has followed a consistent motto – ‘On time, every
time’. They also don’t shy away from any opportunity, as
they maintain that no job is too big or too small.
At present, Robert Ross, and his son, John Ross, manage
the family owned business which engages in contract
demolition work across the whole of South Africa and subSaharan Africa, on a contract basis. The company has five
other divisions which also depend heavily on a competent
and efficient fleet of trucks to ensure all projects remain
profitable and uphold their irrefutable reputation for
delivering on their promises.
This is where their fleet of FAW vehicles, mainly extraheavy tipper trucks, is integral to their success. The FAW
reputation for durability and efficiency matches that of
Ross Demolition.
“Our first FAW trucks to join the RD fleet were purchased
to service specifically contracts in Africa where
uncomplicated, easy-to-drive/easy-to-maintain trucks
were the main criteria for getting our excavation contracts
done with minimum downtime,” explains the senior Robert
Ross. Presently the company operates 28 FAW units,
mostly the proven and robust 28.280FD tippers.
“Working in difficult and dusty uneven terrain, steep
gradients on and off-site, and with heavy payloads, we
opted for a shorter wheelbase configuration and a 400 litre
fuel tank adjustment. The Euro II Weichai WD 615.50
engines give us a respectable 206Kw with an effective
28
torque of 1 160N.m to pull payloads, some beyond the
prescribed 12-ton parameter.
“The FAW trucks have succeeded admirably in all our
initial trials. The first units coped beyond our expectations;
and thus we’ve deployed them on all our projects locally
and cross border, from confined inner city projects to far
distant mass excavations sites.”
Robert Ross recalls some of the most amazing projects
undertaken by Ross Demolition. “We’ve imploded the
Athlone Cooling Towers, as well as the largest building
ever in Cape Town, which always has great spectator
value. But for us one of the most challenging projects was
working against the clock when we had to demolish the
Valkenburg Bridge within a total time frame of only eight
hours. Beginning at midnight, we had completely
dismantled the bridge, removed all the debris and cleared
the site by 8am so that traffic on the N2 could resume.
“Another remarkable project was the Portside 101 Project;
the deepest excavation project ever undertaken in Cape
Town. The Portside Project covered a full city block on the
Foreshore and required 90 000 cubic metres of rock to be
blasted out and removed from the site. The site was
commissioned for a 32-storey building, 142-metres high,
which today stands proudly as the tallest building in the
Cape Town CBD.”
“Our fleet of FAW trucks is efficient, robust and reliable.
Our drivers are well trained and we employ sound fleet
management systems,” explains John Ross, the
youngest of the Ross clan who trained in the US as a
demolition expert.
“In this tough economic climate competition is fierce and
margins are tight. We need our fleet to run at the highest
uptime rate possible with the minimum of problems. Our
FAW fleet stays on the road, is undemanding in its
simplicity of operation and is great for our bottom-line with
low maintenance cost and minimum downtime. This is
crucial to our profit margins,” concludes Robert Ross. ■
JULY 2014
24269 SAB 07/2014
site preparation
Built for the construction industry, the TATA Prima 2528K tipper is equipped with a light frame, light axles and a
10 cubic meter body for better payload and faster on-road short distance operations
Tata’s Prima range of tipper trucks –
a new addition to the family
Tata Motors has introduced its new Prima range of tipper-trucks in South Africa.
D
esigned to augment its existing tipper family
comprising the SK 407 2.5 m3 tipper; the
LPK813 3.5 m3 tipper; and the LPK1518 6 m3
tipper, the Prima range offers customers larger
load capacities: the Prima 2528K 6X4 10 m3 box-tipper;
the Prima 2538K 6X4 14 m3 box-tipper; and the Prima
3338K 8X4 19 m3 scoop-tipper.
With the Prima range the company will address the
existing customers who want to move to the next level of
goods transportation and earth movement, as well as large
fleet owners who are looking for a long lasting product at
an attractive life-cycle cost. Tata’s Prima range is ideally
suited to the construction industry for applications such as
earth-moving and carrying aggregates to and from
construction sites.
The Tata Prima is tailor-made for smooth movement to
ensure optimum vehicle usage and is equipped with a light
frame and light axles for better payload and faster on-road
short distance operations, yet the robust chassis frame and
suspension enable the Tata Prima to operate over almost
any terrain.
An air-conditioned cabin, suspended driver seat and an
ergonomically designed instrument cluster improve driver
efficiency, enabling the driver to operate for long hours
without getting fatigued, resulting in increased productivity
and faster returns on investment. In addition, lower
maintenance costs and faster turnaround times increase
profitability for its owners.
Standard equipment on the Prima tippers is a data logger
which measures vehicle performance and driving practices
over several parameters. In addition, the increased power
compared to the existing range ensures faster trips, higher
profitability and an entry into the premium truck segment of
South Africa.
The needs of South African customers, based on multiple
interviews, customer clinics and testing cycles in South
African conditions, have been incorporated into the design
of the Prima range.
30
The new Prima 2528K 10 m3 tipper is now available from
Tata at the special introductory price of R796 404.
TATA Automobile Corporation SA (Pty.) Ltd. (TACSA)
was established in 1997 as a subsidiary of TATA Africa
Holdings. Today, the company is a fully-fledged
operation with a nationwide network of 35 full and
20 service dealers.
TACSA currently assembles 100 vehicles a month at
its Rosslyn plant and aims to grow this to 200 within
the next year.
TATA SA insists on the use of its genuine parts, which
undergo rigorous quality checks to ensure that every
vehicle remains as safe and reliable as new. All
maintenance and supported services are operated by
TACSA’s through their full maintenance contract and
comprehensive warranty. All TATA vehicles are further
supported by a standard three-year/300 000 km
roaming warranty across 14 countries, while all parts
are covered for an additional two-years/200 000 km.
In Africa
Tata Africa Holdings has a strong presence in over
11 African countries with investments exceeding
US$145 million.
In India
Tata Motors Limited is India’s largest automobile
company, with consolidated revenues of
USD 38.9 billion in 2013 – 2014. It is the leader in
commercial vehicles in each segment, and among
the top in passenger vehicles with winning products
in the compact, mid-size car and utility vehicle
segments. It is also the world’s fifth largest truck
manufacturer and fourth largest bus manufacturer.
Take a copy of this editorial/advert to your
nearest Tata dealer to avail special
schemes on Tata tippers
JULY 2014
A smooth drum roller, the Cat CS78B is ideally suited for
granular soil applications, plus cohesive soil compaction
when fitted with an optional padfoot shell kit
A new bench-mark for
intelligent compaction
Caterpillar’s latest generation Cat CS78B 18 ton
roller, launched in South Africa in June, comes
equipped with an intuitive system for monitoring
soil density.
T
he system enables the input of pre-set compaction
data requirements via an LCD panel; the machine
does the rest.
Known as Machine Drive Power (MDP), the system is
an innovative compaction measurement technology
developed by Caterpillar. MDP compaction data is
reported in real-time to the operator via an in-cab LCD
display, eliminating the guess work and minimising the
need for reworking rolled sections. MDP measures
30 – 60 cm deep – depending on soil type, moisture and
other factors, such as variable site conditions.
“MDP utilises a completely different principle, measuring
the amount of energy required to propel through the soil,
which provides a more direct indication of soil stiffness,”
explains Barloworld Equipment product manager, Johan
Hartman. (Barloworld Equipment is Caterpillar’s southern
African dealer.)
The machine is a dual amplitude, single frequency unit,
generating a standard 28 Hz, and 25,5 Hz during Ecomode operation. Nominal amplitude measures
approximately 30,5 Hz (high: 2,1 mm; low: 0,98 mm), with
a centrifugal force of approximately 30,5 Hz at a
maximum of 332 kN and minimum of 166 kN.
Because it does not rely upon vibration energy on the
soil, MDP can make measurements whether the
machine’s vibration system is on or off. This enables
operators to measure during working passes and shut the
vibration system off for proofing passes. “MDP produces a
more reliable measurement on more soil types, at a depth
that is comparable to typical lift thickness,” Hartman
expands. “Additionally, MDP measurements are more
easily correlated to portable measuring devices that
testing personnel utilise.” ■
JULY 2014
23879 SAB 04/2014
A smooth drum roller, the Cat CS78B is ideally suited for
granular soil applications, plus cohesive soil compaction
when fitted with an optional padfoot shell kit. The standard
machine weighs in with ROPS/FOPS cab at approximately
18 760 kg, driven by a Cat C6.6 ACERT engine (Tier III)
with a gross power (ISO 14396) output of 129,5 kW.
site preparation
Cat launches new medium class
excavator range
Building on the solid track record of the 320D L and 323D L excavators, Caterpillar has now launched
successive Series II derivative models that add new value with lower ownership and operating costs for
fleet owners in the construction and plant hire sectors.
C
at 320D2 L and Cat 323D2 L Series II machines
are powered by a Cat C7.1 engine that meets EU
Stage II regulations and units supplied into the
southern African market come standard with a
long undercarriage configuration. The approximate
maximum operating weights of the Cat 320D2 L and Cat
323D2 L are 22,4 and 23,3 tons, respectively.
Compared to its predecessor, the new Cat C7.1,
which replaces the Cat C6.4 engine fitted on previous
Cat 320D L and 323D L models, is far more fuel efficient.
On the Cat 323D2 L, for example, fuel consumption is
reduced by 11% compared to the 323D L, thanks to
better hydraulic controls, the use of a viscous clutch
fan and new pumps, with similar energy savings
achieved for the 320D2 L model. An automatic enginespeed control on Series II machines lowers engine
rpm during no-load or light-load conditions to minimise
fuel consumption.
“An electric governor controls the mechanically actuated,
low-pressure fuel-injection system,” explains Barloworld
Equipment product and application manager, Fifi Venter,
“and there’s a new filtration design that uses a primary fuel
filter/water separator and a secondary fuel filter to ensure
clean fuel throughout the system.”
Net power output on the Cat 320D2 L and Cat 323D2 L is
98 kW and 110 kW (SAE J1349/ISO 9249) respectively.
Along with improved fuel efficiencies, ease of maintenance
has been a key consideration in the design of the Series II
range. Both models feature ground-level access to most
routine service points, including the pumps, pilot filter and
fuel filters, which are conveniently located behind a
service door on the right side. The left, rear service door
allows easy access to the radiator, oil cooler, air-to-air
after-cooler, and AC condenser.
Cat 320D2 L models sold into the southern African region
come standard with a 5,7 m mass excavation boom and
32
2,5 m stick, and the Cat 323D2 L with a 6,18 m boom and
2,15 m stick. A super long reach boom option is available
on the Cat 320 D2 L for more specialised applications.
“Electric boom and stick regeneration circuits result in less
pressure loss, higher controllability, reduced cycle times
and lower operating costs. It works by reusing the flow of
oil that travels from the head of the cylinder to the rod end
during boom-down and stick-in operations,” adds Venter.
A wide range of buckets are available, either pin-on or
coupler-type, along with a selection of ground-engaging
tools to match the machine to its digging environment.
Coupler options include Caterpillar’s Centre-Lock Pin
Grabber, which enables the operator to make fast in-cab
work tool interchanges.
Caterpillar’s extensive range of work tool options include
grapples, shears, hydraulic hammers, multi-processors,
pulverisers, vibratory-plate compactors, rippers and ripand-load packages. In the field, work tools function
seamlessly with the machine’s hydraulic system, operating
with speed, precision and efficiency.
The Series II’s hydraulic cross-sensing system utilises
each of two hydraulic pumps to 100% of engine
power under all operating conditions. This improves
productivity with faster implement speeds and quicker,
stronger pivot turns.
Snubbers are located at the rod-end of the boom cylinders
and both ends of the stick cylinders to cushion shocks
while reducing sound levels and extending component life.
Meanwhile, the hydraulic activation lever in the neutral
position isolates all front linkage, swing and travel
functions for additional controllability and efficiency.
Adds Venter: “These and other features on D Series II
units underscore Caterpillar’s commitment to designing
earthmoving solutions that pass on measurable
production gains.” ■
JULY 2014
24404 SAB 07/2014
earth retainage
At Watercrest Mall, reinforcing Rockgrid PC was laid at
every third row of blocks
The geotextile provides efficient drainage along the 140 m length
of the retaining wall, enabling it to drastically reduce the
flow paths in the reinforced soil
Geotextile cuts costs in retaining wall
reinforcement
The steep slopes of the Watercrest Mall construction site in Waterfall, near Hillcrest in KwaZulu Natal,
necessitated the construction of safe, durable, flexible retaining structures. The costs of such structures
can often be debilitating in terms of materials and construction time.
T
his problem was solved when MCJ Engineers
decided on a polyester, non-woven geotextile
called RockGrid PC, manufactured by Kaytech.
“The fleece component of this geotextile protects
the high tenacity polyester reinforcement elements during
the critical installation phase, ensuring a safer optimum
performance,” said Paul Lombard, Kaytech’s technical
sales engineer, who was regularly on site assisting the
sub-contractor for the project, Advanced Retaining
Systems, with their installation.
According to Lombard, RockGrid PC offers the
reinforcement characteristics of geogrids and wovens
in conjunction with the favourable hydraulic qualities of
non-wovens.
The 140 metre long concrete retaining block wall at the
site comprised three sections; a 60 m long x 10–12 m high
section, a 45 m long x 12 m high section and a third
section of 35 m long x 15 m high. Advanced Retaining &
Paving Systems installed RockGrid PC 100/100 at every
third layer of retaining blocks. This grade of the product
generates a biaxial ultimate tensile strength of 100 kN/m
at 10% strain.
Lombard advises that the difference between RockGrid
PC and conventional biaxial grids is that its geotextile
fleece component wicks away moisture from the fill
material, both during and after installation. This assists in
drainage of the fill material during compaction so that
higher, more stable fill-compaction rates can be attained.
The geotextile provides sufficient drainage capacity
enabling it to drastically reduce the flow paths in the
reinforced soil.
Due to this water transmissivity, RockGrid PC facilitates
the reduction of pore water pressure should there be any
groundwater ingress. This improves shear characteristics,
which in turn increases stability.
Construction of this mall took place simultaneously with
large-scale earthworks and the demolition of the existing
multi-level shopping centre. Constricted spaces in which
the many contractors had to work, as well as time
constrictions, made for an interesting and challenging
project. However, the quick and simple installation of
15 000 m2 of RockGrid PC, which does not require highly
skilled or experienced labour, ultimately saved the
developer in both time and material costs.
The result was a neat and highly durable retaining wall
that happens to be the highest RockGrid PC-reinforced
concrete retaining block wall in KwaZulu-Natal – and
possibly the highest geosynthetic reinforced concrete
retaining block wall.
“The fleece component of the RockGrid PC geotextile,
manufactured by Kaytech, protects the high tenacity polyester
reinforcement elements during the critical installation phase
34
The Watercrest Mall is scheduled for completion in
October 2014. ■
JULY 2014
Solutions for steep
embankments
The planning and construction of The Willowbridge Place office
development located on the corner of Old Oak Road and Carl Cronje
Drive, Tyger Valley in the northern suburbs of Cape Town was faced
with a number of challenges when building commenced in 2011.
earth retainage
Decorwall blocks were used to construct this retaining wall on a concrete foundation at an inclination of 65 degrees
Neill Zaaiman, main contractor on
site, called in retaining wall
specialists, Decorton Retaining
Systems, to propose a cost effective
solution. Based on a design by
Fred Laker, a Terraforce
recommended engineer, a terraced
retaining wall design – using the
new Decorwall block – with walls
of up to seven metres high, was
accepted by the client.
The walls are built on a concrete
foundation at an inclination of 65
degrees. The close proximity of a
busy road made it necessary to
beef up the installation with
reinforced concrete infill inside the
blocks and geogrid layers in the
backfill at certain intervals. In this
JULY 2014
fashion, the block facing and the
backfill material form a combined
force to resist overturning
momentum. As excessive
groundwater was unearthed during
excavation, a substantial drainage
system was installed behind the
block layer to keep the installation
stable over time.
Says SP van Blerk, of Decorton
Retaining Systems: “We managed
to successfully excavate the backfill
as well as install 10 500 Decorwall
blocks within a tight time frame of
two months. Today, three years
later, the client is very happy with
the end result and with the pleasant
green belt the walls create around
the building.” ■
The Willowbridge Place
Client:
Developers:
Main
contractor:
Architect:
Engineers:
Civil
contractor:
Retaining
walls:
Landscaping:
Project value:
FirstRand Bank and
Growthpoint Properties
Eris Property Group
Murray and Roberts
Stauch Vorster
Architects
Sutherland Associates
Neill Zaaiman
Decorton Retaining
Systems
Servest Landscaping
R300 million
24397 SAB 07/2014
G
erald Kriedemann, senior
contracts manager for main
contractor, Murray &
Roberts Western Cape
said: “The site layout predetermined
limited space around the perimeter
of the site, which, added to the
proposed strip of permeable paving
right around the building, meant the
footprint of the entire structure
would take up 90% of the site area.
As a result, the steep embankments
on three sides of the building
prohibited the original plan to have
gently landscaped slopes below the
busy Tyger Valley road.”
35
New retaining
wall block makes
its debut
A new concrete retaining wall block, the TB300,
has been launched in South Africa. Manufactured
Terrace Blok 300 open-face walling meets Infrablok 350 closedface walling at Olivedale Retirement Village
earth retainage
and supplied by Aveng Manufacturing Infraset, the
TB300 was specified for construction of 2 200 m²
of open-face retaining walls at the Olivedale
Retirement Village, currently under construction
in Olivedale, Johannesburg.
A
lso specified for the project was 1 400 m² of
closed-face walling to be erected using Infrablok
350 retaining wall block, being supplied by the
same company. Begun in July 2013, both types of
terrace walling were completed by the end of April 2014.
The Village is being developed by Central Developments
Property Group. Situated on sloping ground, the site
required extensive terracing and embankment buttressing
to provide level building platforms for the construction of
houses, apartments and communal buildings.
The retaining walls were designed and built by Engineered
Interlock Solutions (EIS) in close collaboration with the
main earthworks contractors, Loneock, and consulting
engineers, Pro North Consultants, to ensure that all
statutory requirements were met.
EIS owner, Manie Troskie, says that the property was
terraced using a combination of concrete block retaining
(CRB) walls as well as some conventional cast-in-situ
retaining walls.
“We proposed the use of CRB walling wherever
possible as this provided the client with more options for
less money. Moreover, CRB walls offered faster
construction times and provided a softer, more
aesthetically pleasing look.
“Prior to our involvement, early designs had specified
conventional reinforced concrete walling on the perimeter
of the property and on some of the steeper embankments.
As an alternative we proposed the use of CRB walls using
geosynthetic reinforced soil and Aveng Manufacturing
Infraset’s multi-blend Infrablok 350 in a split-face finish.
On embankments with more gradual gradients, we
advised using the new Terrace Blok 300 in an openface configuration.
Manie Troskie stands next to a curved section of 7,5 m Infrablok
350 closed-face walling. The wall supports a multi-storey building
which was constructed 1,8 m from the top edge of the wall
“More than 10 open-face walls varying in height between
2 m to 7,5 m were built at an angle of 75˚ using seven
Terrace Blok 300s per square metre. Even without plant
growth these walls look extremely attractive, the splitfaced blocks and the open-faced finish creating an eyecatching rustic effect.
“These open-face walls were reinforced with Kaytech’s
Miragrid, a geosynthetic material manufactured from high
tenacity polyester (PET) yarns. The tie-back lengths,
spacing and strength ratings of the Miragrid varied
according to the height of the walls,” said Troskie.
Four closed-face walls were built with Infrablok 350s, two
on the perimeter and two inside the property. CRB walling
was particularly well suited to the perimeter walling
because the footing of in-situ retaining walls would have
extended beyond the boundary and sewer line. The height
of the perimeter walls varied between 1,5 m and 4,5 m
and the inner walls varied between 2 m and 7,5 m. All
four walls were built at a near vertical angle of 85˚
using 18 blocks per square metre.
Besides the Infrablok 350s, the perimeter walling was
constructed with reinforced concrete because the
distance between the rear of the CRBs and the cut face
was only 500 mm which was deemed insufficient for
geosynthetic reinforcement only. Concrete was poured
Sections of Terrace Blok 300 open-face walling at Olivedale Retirement Village
36
JULY 2014
into the CRB cavities and the space
between the blocks and the cut faces.
earth retainage
A 7,5 m section of closed-face
walling constructed with
Infrablok 350 concrete blocks
A section of the closed-face perimeter walling built with
Infrablok 350s
Reinforcing comprised Kaytech’s
Microgrid 75/75 high-tenacity
polymer-coated polyester (PET) and
Y16 steel which was laid horizontally
in the foundations and vertically
inside and behind the blocks. The
concrete was poured in layers,
one block height at a time, and the
Microgrid material was inserted
between layers.
The largest inner closed-face wall
was also reinforced with Microgrid
75/75. It was placed above every
second layer of Infrablok 350s and
was tied back 5,5 m into the earth
embankment. This wall supports a
terrace upon which a multi-storey
building has been constructed 1,8 m
from the top edge of the wall.
The smaller closed-face application
involved building a wall to secure a
three metre embankment. Two
houses had already been
constructed above the embankment
and in this instance a concrete
reinforced retaining wall combined
with a geosynthetic reinforced CRB
wall using Infrablok 350s provided
the best solution.
Aveng Manufacturing Infraset
manufactures a diverse range of
precast concrete products to
world-class quality standards in
compliance with the requirements of
SANS using the ISO 9001:2008
quality management system.
JULY 2014
24395 SAB 07/2014
Troskie says that his company has
standardised its CRB requirement on
blocks manufactured by Aveng
Manufacturing Infraset due to the
high quality of the product range and
delivery reliability. ■
37
Hollow-core slabs by Echo enable fasttrack office development
Echo Prestress hollow-core concrete slabs were used in combination with structural steel frames and raft
project news
foundations for the fast-track construction of a new office development at Clearwater Estate in Boksburg.
Phase 1 of Clearwater Park Boksburg
where Echo Prestress hollow-core slabs
were used to fast track the development
The upper-level steel framework of Phase 2
which was bolted to solid concrete section
of Echo slabs
B
uilt in two phases, the first phase comprises a gross
lettable area (GLA) of 3 100 m² and the second
phase 3 700 m² GLA. The project was the initiative
of local property developer, Krisp Properties.
“We already had a lease agreement with Michelin Tyre
Company South Africa for Phase 1 well before the first sod
had been turned, which meant we only had seven months
to erect the building,” said Jordan Mann, executive director
of Krisp Properties.
Francois Marais of Francois Marais Architects, said: “The
design of the buildings embraces the new energy efficiency
regulations. Overhangs above all the windows and doors
minimise the impact of the sun and reduce the amount of
heat escaping from the buildings.” Phase 1 comprises two
double storey buildings, each measuring 1 550 m² (GLA),
which are linked by a central entrance atrium.
“We deployed hollow-core slabs for the first floors as well
as the roofs and this assisted us in reducing construction
time by several weeks. Hollow-core slabs were used for
the roofing which would allow the necessary support for
the installation of photovoltaic power generation units in
future. Moreover, the roofs have created ideal catchment
areas for harvesting rainwater which is to be stored in
subterranean tanks,” said Mann.
Echo’s pre-stressed hollow-core slabs were specified by
PDS Civil and Structural Engineers. Echo slabs totalling
A section of Clearwater Phase 2
under construction
3 100 m² were used for Phase one and 3 750 m² for
Phase two. Slabs up to ten metres long were deployed on
the first floor sections and slabs of between five and seven
metres were installed on the roof. Both the first floor and
roof panels were topped with steel reinforced screeds and
a bitumen coating was used to waterproof the roofs. In
addition, Echo also supplied nine metre H-shaped
universal steel columns to provide slab support for the
internal cantilevering.
According to structural engineer, Spiros Sdralis, of PDS,
Echo’s role involved considerably more than simply
supplying the slabs.
“We provided Echo with a set of drawings and they then
prepared a layout which took all the servicing
requirements into account. Echo’s engineer, Daniel Petrov,
was involved from the outset and he was always on site
when we needed him, particularly in solving specific
on-site challenges,” said Sdralis.
“For example, some of the slabs had to be modified so
that the upper-section of steel skeleton could be anchored
to the first floor on a solid platform. This meant that the
hollow-core end sections of some slabs had to be packed
with concrete to provide the solid base. Echo filled in the
voids with concrete according to our specifications and
this enabled us to drill out the holes for the bolt anchor
sleeves in the same way we had done on the ground floor.
“The builders were able to begin the assembly of the upper
level steel frame as soon as the slabs had been installed
and this was the prime advantage of using hollow-core slabs.
If in-situ flooring had been used it would have delayed the
completion dates on both buildings by several weeks.
“Extensive use was made of cantilevering on this
development, both internally and for the shade overhangs,
and Daniel assisted with redesigning some of the
cantilever sections on Phase 2. He also helped us with
changing the direction of some of the slabs.”
A side view of Clearwater Phase 1
38
Echo also allowed for service ducts based on the architectural
plans and suspended ceilings were created 600 mm below
the soffits of the roofs and first floors to accommodate
electrical, plumbing and air-conditioning services. ■
JULY 2014
Menlyn
Maine – Africa’s first Green City
Menlyn Maine, the single largest development project
in Pretoria, will stimulate a paradigm shift in how
South Africans live, work and play.
I
“
Menlyn Maine brings residential neighbourhoods, retail spaces
and office buildings back together again
project news
building they have been actively involved in and ensuring
that the designs conform to the specific criteria laid out.
“Each building has its own personality and we needed to
ensure that all contractors were contractually bound to
deliver the recommendations set out – and fine tune these
to each tenant/owner – each with their own preferences,”
says Groves.
“By working closely with all the relevant parties we have
been able to solve issues to a best fit method – ensuring
structural integrity, build-ability and aesthetic compliance
while being conducive to sustainable principles – all the
while being within budget. And while there is some way to
go before completion it is an industry leading development
that is setting a standard that will be very difficult to beat,”
concludes Johnston. ■
24400 SAB 07/2014
t’s an ambitious project,” says William Johnston,
regional director for WSP, Structures, Africa, one of the
key partners bringing this vision to life. “It strives to
bring residential neighbourhoods, retail spaces and
office buildings back together again to create a healthy
mixed-use city environment. At the same time, it’s built on
the premise of ensuring sustainability for future
generations – which needed to be translated into the
structural architecture and design.”
The concept for the project incorporates a traditional
neighbourhood communication with quality architecture,
urban design, tree-lined streets incorporating both natural
beauty and human connectivity in public spaces.
Designed with the aim of achieving a 4 star rating from the
Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), Menlyn
Maine is attempting to be Africa’s first truly green city.
“Menlyn Maine aims to consume 50% less energy than
the average commercial building and generate 33% less
greenhouse gas emissions,” says Alison Groves,
sustainability consultant at WSP, Building Services, Africa.
WSP has been instrumental in outlining the green and
sustainability strategy for much of the Menlyn Maine
development – providing recommendations for each
JULY 2014
39
A new VIP polyurea coating attracts local
contracts
There has been increasing demand
in South Africa for VIP Polyurea
coatings since a.b.e Construction
product news
Chemicals last year secured an
exclusive agreement with Voelkel
Industrie Produkte (VIP) of
Germany for the local distribution
of the company’s globally-specified
range of protective coatings
and joint fillers.
N
oel Abendroth, a.b.e.’s Divisional
Manager: VIP Polyurea
Systems, said a.b.e. – part of
the Chryso Southern Africa
Group – had recently secured several
high-profile contracts for the MunichThe vehicular ramp to the parking deck at the KZN Department of Education’s
produced VIP Polyurea coatings. The
Malgate building in Durban after its refurbishment with VIP Polyurea coating
decision to select the VIP coating range
supplied by a.b.e. Construction Chemicals
was based on its “revolutionary” benefits
which include durability, superior
protection, ease of application and turnaround times.
Abendroth said VIP protective membranes were free of
harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and solvents,
Included in the new contracts are:
and represented a “dramatic advance” over polyurethane
• new waterproofing of the luxury Mandela Rhodes
and epoxy technology. “The VIP systems are generally
apartment block in the Cape Town CBD where the
designed to perform for around 25 years, depending on
existing waterproof coating had failed within a year
the nature of the project, which substantially cuts the costs
after application;
of repairs and maintenance,” he explained.
• new surface coating of the Cape Town Rapid Bus
Transport (RBT) system’s concrete pedestrian
Some of the advantages of the new systems include:
ramp at Canal Walk which a.b.e. assigned to its
• Extremely fast reaction and curing times (5 to
approved applicator, Thermoseal. Trials are currently
90 seconds);
underway to also apply VIP Polyurea to the area’s
• Exceptional adhesion to correctly prepared concrete,
expansion joints;
steel, aluminium, plastics, fibreglass, wood and foam;
• waterproofing of 900 m2 of the Strandsig apartment
• Seamless and joint-less flexible coatings;
block on the beachfront in The Strand, Western Cape
• The ability to transgress multiple substrates in
– also by Thermoseal;
one application;
• VIP Polyurea coating was also the preferred choice for
• Application is possible to any thickness in a single
the refurbishment of the vehicular ramp at the KZN
application;
Department of Education’s high-rise Malgate Building.
• The retention of flexibility and crack-bridging properties
Xotherm was the applicator for this project at
at temperatures of between minus 20 degrees Celsius
72 Stanger Street in Durban;
to plus 120 degrees Celsius;
• VIP Polyurea was used in a “sandwich waterproofing”
• Exceptionally good sound insulation;
application at new ablution facilities at the University of
• Resistance to ultra-violet radiation, salt water, and
Cape Town Rugby Club’s headquarters. The applicator,
aggressive atmospheric conditions; and
Thermoseal, “sandwiched” VIP Polyurea coatings both
• Ability to cover large areas at a rapid rate.
underneath and on top of the concrete screed for this
project which covered about 600 m2.
a.b.e. Construction Chemicals supplies four VIP Polyurea
products: VIP Quick Spray Supreme for extreme
“Furthermore, VIP Polyurea was recently introduced to
conditions such as chemical environments; VIP Quick
the farming community at the Nampo trade show at
Spray Industrial, for more general application; VIP Quick
Bothaville – South Africa’s biggest agricultural trade
Spray Eco, an economical hybrid version; and a new lowshow – where there was tremendous interest in
pressure pure Polyurea waterproofing system. Plans for
future use of the coating for silos, implements,
the future include launching a new VIP coating system
warehouses, dams and fertiliser tanks, to name just a
specifically developed for industrial and commercial
few applications.”
flooring in Southern Africa. ■
40
JULY 2014
SA’s first ever Construction Adjudication
course launched
The University of Pretoria’s Department of Construction Economics
has launched South Africa’s first ever Construction Adjudication course.
The Certificate Programme in Construction Adjudication,
developed by Prof. Tinus Maritz and his team, is the first
of its kind offered to the South African construction
industry specifically tailored to produce the highest
standard of competent and qualified adjudicators, who,
between disputing parties, in the words of Mr Justice
Jackson, are properly equipped to find some sensible
resolution of their problem, enabling them to then get back
to their real business.
For more information and to enrol contact:
Tel: 012 434 2500 E-mail: [email protected] ■
23918 SAB 04/2014
Course content
Module One (A): Introduction to South African Law and
Legal Theory (For Non-Lawyers) or
Module One (B): Construction Practice and Technology
(For Lawyers)
Module Two: South African and International Construction
Law. Principles and Application (All delegates)
Module Three: Construction Claims and Disputes
(All delegates)
Module Four: Dispute Resolution and Adjudication
Procedure and Practice
(All delegates)
1. An unreported judgement of the South Gauteng High
Court dated 12 February 2013 at paragraph 15.
2. CIDB Best Practice Guideline C3: Adjudication,
September, 2005: Edition 2 of CIDB document 1011 at
page 7.
3. Mr Justice Jackson, The Tower of Babel: What
happens when a building contract goes wrong, The
2006 Denning Lecture given in Gray’s Inn, London on
28 November 2006, downloadable from www.scl.org.uk.
skills and training
T
his follows the Construction Industry Development
Board’s interventions in introducing adjudication
into the South African construction practice; the
industry’s consistent application of adjudication as
the preferred “on the run” dispute resolution procedure;
and the South African High Court’s robust approach to
enforcing adjudicators’ decisions.
JULY 2014
41
into africa
Packer head and block pusher for automated dry product handling
De-stacker with finger and transfer car
Service and support – the key to success
in Africa
The demand for bricks in Namibia has been growing consistently for a number of years – a trend which is
expected to continue into the foreseeable future as national housing and commercial projects across the
country flourish apace.
T
his is the view expressed by Quintin Booysen,
marketing and sales manager for Pan Mixers South
Africa (PMSA), during South African Builder’s
interview with him earlier this month.
PMSA, designers and manufacturers of high quality and
robust brick-making machines with over 38 years of
experience in the industry, have been active in the supply,
support and service of this equipment to clients in Namibia
for over 20 years. “Our service teams have been travelling
to Namibia servicing these plants for decades,” said
Booysen. “We estimate that 75 to 80% of all bricks and
blocks manufactured in Namibia over the past three
decades are produced using PMSA machines.”
The strength of PMSA’s client base in
Namibia is built on three key pillars,
explained Booysen. These include:
quality and robust machine design,
capable of operation in the harsh
humidity and dusty conditions
encountered in Namibia; upgradeable
equipment, capable of being
retrofitted with new technology on
an ongoing basis; and most
importantly a strong and efficient
service and support infrastructure,
able to maintain existing plant and
equipment in a foreign country at
optimal operational performance.
“Our clients continue to demonstrate
their confidence in our company and
its product range,” said Booysen.
“Their investment in, for example, one
of our VBX brick-making machines to
a typical fully operational plant level is
in the order of R15 million, with an
additional R6 million for peripheral
infrastructure required. Such
investment can only be considered if
42
the equipment supplier is technically competent and well
equipped to service and support such plant. And that is
the crux of operating in Africa – service!”
“Some of our clients come from second and third
generation families in the brick-making business, and
some are father and son operations,” explained
Booysen. One such family business is Henning Crushers
located in Tsumeb as well as Ondangwa in northern
Namibia. The company operates four of the PMSA VBX
fully automated brick-making plants, producing
120 000 bricks per single shift per machine.
Over the years PMSA has delivered, and continues to
support, more than 20 VBX and VB1X
machines throughout Namibia with a
combined output capacity of three million
bricks per day. There are also a number
of smaller PMSA plants installed and
operational throughout the region.
In order to conduct its business and
drive its support systems at the
required level of professionalism in
Namibia, PMSA has established a
strong triangular association with local
company, Crush Plant Namibia, and a
network of accredited dealers.
At home in Jet Park, Gauteng, PMSA
continues to invest in its design and
machine manufacturing capability, as
well as in warehousing and storage
facilities. “Because we believe in the
market and in our clients our
investment in recent years has been
well over R40 million,” said Booysen.
VB4X with topping feed capable of
producing over 120 000 stock bricks
per 9-hour shift
PMSA is also active in East Africa, the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya,
Mozambique, Zambia and Angola. ■
JULY 2014
SASFA takes LSFB
cross-border
After significant success with growing the light steel frame building
(LSFB) method in South Africa in a relatively short time, the Southern
African Light Steel Frame Building Association (SASFA) has embarked
on taking the LSFB message to other Southern African countries.
into africa
SASFA’s first cross-border training initiative was a six-day course for building
contractors in Windhoek, Namibia
Barnard says that it was always
SASFA’s intention to spread the
LSFB throughout the Southern
African region but has waited till the
local effort was up and running. “We
wanted to focus on the South
African market until all the issues
were ironed out and a deep level of
institutional acceptance was
attained. We have reached that
point and now we can spread our
wings,” says Barnard.
While LSFB awareness seminars
have previously been presented in
Namibia, SASFA’s first cross-border
training initiative was a six-day
course for building contractors in
Windhoek, Namibia. “While this was
the 15th time we have run this
course, it was the first beyond RSA
borders,” says Barnard. “We had 21
JULY 2014
attendees: thirteen from Namibia,
six from the Democratic Republic of
Congo and two from Zambia. The
interest from the neighbouring
countries is indicative of the growing
awareness of LSFB in sub-Saharan
Africa,” says Barnard.
On request from WML Global from
Namibia – a new SASFA member –
the practical work was done on a
structure they wished to erect in an
industrial area outside Windhoek.
They had prepared a 4.5 m x 3 m
slab on which a light steel frame
structure was to be erected by the
students, as part of the practical
component of the course.
Cladding, lining and insulation
materials were supplied by Lafarge
and Everite for fixing to the steel
frame. Marshall Hinds supplied the
building wrap and Kare the fasteners
for fixing the boards. Lafarge also
illustrated how to repair a damaged
gypsum board panel.
SASFA has to date issued
228 certificates for successful
completion of the LSFB course for
building contractors.
This six-day course for building
contractors will again be presented
in either Cape Town or Gauteng in
October 2014. ■
24291 SAB 07/2014
J
ohn Barnard, SASFA director,
says that while the growth of
LSFB in South Africa has
been phenomenal, it has not
been surprising. “The advantages of
the method in terms of ease and
speed of construction and the
significant long-term energy savings
make its popularity in this country
quite logical as developers come
under increasing financial pressure.
Increased efficiency is the name of
the game in construction the world
over,” says Barnard.
43
GIBB reaches R1 billion turnover
Following GIBB’s recent announcement of its acquisition of Stauch Vorster Architects International (SVA
International) [South African Builder, February 2014] a meeting of the two groups and members of South
Africa’s business and political elite took place in Midrand to witness and celebrate this marriage of two of
company news
the nation’s highly respected engineering and architecture entities.
H
ere, key decision makers from the public and
private sectors heard for the first time that
GIBB, the largest South African black-owned
engineering consulting firm, has reached
its R1 billion turnover mark, a remarkable
achievement considering that it competes with
mainly multinational firms.
Both formidable entities in their own rights, GIBB acquired
70% of SVA International – a merger that can only
stand to benefit the private sector and government’s
National Development Plan, which has been placed high
on the agenda.
Among the political heavyweights and captains of industry
were Collins Chabane – Minister of Public Service and
Administration; Sandile Zungu – a leading entrepreneur
and Secretary General of the Black Business Council
(BBC) and Jabu Mabuza – Chairman of Telkom, Director
at Tsogo Sun and President of Business Unity South
Africa (BUSA).
GIBB Group CEO Richard Vries also announced the
appointment of former BUSA President, Nomaxabiso
Majokweni, to GIBB Holdings board, chaired by black
empowerment pioneer Don Mkhwanazi.
A key discussion point was government’s Strategic
Infrastructure Projects, described by Zungu as “the
beginning of a long summer for GIBB and SVA
International”.
“This merger between SVA International and GIBB could
not be better timed, the Presidential Infrastructure
Coordinating Unit has identified 18 Strategic Infrastructure
Projects (SIPs) worth hundreds of millions of rands and
the opportunities are endless,” he said.
Zungu cautioned, however, that price fixing in the
construction industry by some of the larger privately
owned firms threatens economic growth.
Sandile Zungu, Secretary General of the Black Business
Council (BBC)
“There needs to be a greater level of ethics shown in
the construction industry, especially with the recent
revelations concerning price fixing among other firms.
As a leading black-owned firm, GIBB has a moral
obligation to compete fairly but fiercely. Our government
needs to see that sound ethics to carry out its
infrastructure plan are possible, and so we as the private
sector, need to play our part,” Zungu added.
GIBB Group CEO, Vries stressed that the firm was in
excellent financial health and that the merger can only
benefit government’s capital infrastructure programme.
According to Vries, GIBB has shown an accumulative
growth rate of over 99% during the last five years in an
industry with an accumulative growth rate of 35%.
“The nature of competition too, has changed, with nine out
of the 10 largest firms being foreign owned – GIBB is the
last man standing. As GIBB and SVA International we
have taken the first step to building a firm to compete with
the best in the world, showing that Africans can do it for
themselves, by themselves,” he added.
BUSA President Jabu Mabuza meanwhile used the
platform to dispel myths around affirmative action. “There
is a perception that affirmative action produces a
substandard product. I beg to differ, Tsogo Sun, a BEE
product is worth R35 billion, and today GIBB is a company
on the same path,” he said.
In closing Don Mkhwanazi, renowned for his role in
facilitating black economic empowerment in the country,
encouraged support from the private and public sectors
at the function.
Group CEO of GIBB, Richard Vries and director of Stauch
Vorster, Kevan Moses – January 2014
44
“With the cooperation of all stakeholders GIBB and SVA
International can tell the best story. It is time for Africa –
and Africa is indeed in motion,” Mkhwanazi said. ■
JULY 2014
ASSA ABLOY celebrates 20 years
From humble beginnings in 1994 as a traditional lock manufacturer supplying the Nordic region, to a global
leader in door opening solutions, ASSA ABLOY celebrates 20 years of success and growth.
I
The Group acquired over 200 companies in two decades;
and went on to acquire automatic pedestrian door
solutions specialist, Swedish-based Besam. More
acquisitions followed in Argentina, Slovenia, Chile and
France. ASSA ABLOY further expanded its foothold in
Africa with an acquisition in Kenya.
“To meet the demand for increasingly advanced security
solutions we will increase the already high rate of
innovation over the next five years. Our aim moving
forward is to continue to be the industry’s most innovative
supplier of door opening solutions,” concludes Molin.
This impressive journey has transformed ASSA ABLOY
into a company that has opened more doors than any
other in the world. The local subsidiary, ASSA ABLOY South
Africa (Pty) Limited, is able to draw on this international
pool of innovation, knowledge, expertise and state-of-theart technology to offer local customers a comprehensive
range of world-class product and system solutions. ■
23790/R1 Malnor Creative 07/2014
“We are rapidly growing with good profitability and cutting
edge technologies,” says Johan Molin, CEO and President
of ASSA ABLOY. He attributes the Group’s ongoing
success to rising prosperity, extensive urbanisation and
increasing security. ASSA ABLOY continues to substantially
increase investments into R&D, employing approximately
1 400 developmental engineers. More than 27% of sales
comes from products launched over the past three years.
company news
n 1994 ASSA in Sweden and Abloy in Finland merged
to form the ASSA ABLOY Group. The Stockholm-listed
company offered a comprehensive range of brands
through Abloy (IKON, ABLOY, Trioving, VingCard and
Cardkey) and ASSA (Arrow, Ruko, Solid and FAS).
Organic growth, a focused strategy on an increased
market presence (joint ventures and acquisitions), a high
rate of innovation and cost efficiency in all processes led
ASSA ABLOY to become an innovative multi-national
security group.
JULY 2014
45
A blast from the past
Extracts from the South African
Builder archives
May 1964
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BEAMS FOR
BIG PROJECT
Keeping pace with South Africa’s rapid development,
millions of tons of concrete are being poured into a
variety of building enterprises-concrete proof of South
Africa’s prosperous economy and the boom conditions
that have triggered off this activity affecting all sectors
of national life.
A well-known construction company is
responsible for the huge structure, which will
be composed entirely of precast prestressed
concrete units.
With the foundations for the bridge and the 14
reinforced concrete piers already completed, work on
the bridge itself is proceeding apace.
The “I” section concrete beams delivered to site are
6 ft. deep and have a web of 6 in. and flanges 24 in. x
4 1/2 in. on top and 24 in. x 9 in. at the bottom. A total
of 271 beams are being delivered to the site.
JUNE 1964
BUILDING NEWS
Hotel Plans: Plans for two new luxury skyscraper
hotels for Johannesburg have been announced. An 18
storey hotel costing nearly R4 million is to be built
in a small municipality on the eastern border of
Johannesburg and a R7 million hotel of at least
22 storeys is to be opened in the centre of the city.
A specially built steel launching girder lowers a beam into
position across two supporting piers
Constructional engineers and builders are being called
upon daily to meet the tremendous demands made by
expanding industry and commerce.
They are also having to cope with increasing
accommodation needs in the face of a housing shortage
and flats bursting at the seams; to contribute to the
solving of traffic problems with highways proving
inadequate for a burgeoning motor population.
The impressive 1,500 ft. long concrete motorway bridge
now under construction in Johannesburg, is typical of
the ingenuity and skill with which expansion problems
are being met.
The six motor lanes, which are being so constructed as
not to interrupt the smooth functioning of the Railways
during building operations, will ultimately span the
railway marshalling yard in Braamfontein.
46
These two projects form part of a race by big business
to set up luxurious hotels of international standard
in Johannesburg. Four groups of financiers are in the
race and these mammoth hotel projects involve at
least R23 million.
The Hotel International, to be erected in the
municipality of Bedford View, east of Johannesburg
and on the Jan Smuts Airport road, will by
Government grading, rate as one of the few South
African “de luxe” hotels and will be one of the most
luxurious hotels in Africa.
The self-contained hotel will have business, shopping
and recreational facilities. The roof of the hotel will
provide a landing area for helicopters.
These luxury facilities plus its situation, almost
midway between the centre of Johannesburg and
Jan Smuts Airport, have been chosen to serve the
V.I.P. business executives, politicians and celebrities
from overseas and South Africa for which the hotel
plans to cater.
JULY 2014
Events 2014
Forthcoming events of interest to the building and construction industry
Forward details of your events to [email protected] for inclusion here
Event/organisation
Description
Location
Date
25th International Union of Architects (UIA)
World Congress
www.uia2014durban.org/
The UIA Congress will celebrate the African profession as a meaningful
contributor to world architecture and thought leadership in city development;
as well as the continent’s contribution in the affairs and evolution of
architecture globally.
International Convention Centre,
Durban
3 – 7 August
World Green Building Council Congress 2014
A collaborative hub that provides valuable connections with fellow GBC staff.
Sao Paulo, Brazil
4 August
Women's Day
Celebrating the empowerment of women in our country and especially in
our industry
The Cape Construction Expo
The only building and construction forum exclusively for the Western Cape.
The event brings together construction professionals such as architects,
engineers, contractors, local authorities, government officials, investors and
suppliers, offering plenty of networking opportunities for the entire value chain. Cape Town International
Convention Centre
13 – 14 August
Interbuild Africa 2014
The industry’s launchpad for new products, ideas and innovation.
Johannesburg Expo Centre
20 – 23 August
7th Annual Green Building Convention
www.gbcsa.org.za
Highlighting the richness and potential of the African continent and bringing
speakers of South African origin who are pioneering the world in their own way
as well as those who are working in this space on greater African soils.
Cape Town International
Convention Centre
10 – 12 September
SAISC’s Steel Awards 2014
Recognising excellence in the use of steel in construction.
Concurrent in Johannesburg,
Durban and Cape Town
18 September
World Green Building Week
Celebrating World Green Building Week.
Global events
22 – 26 September
109th MBSA Congress – 2014
www.mbsacongress.co.za
Addressing immediate issues and opportunities within the South African
building and construction industry.
Boardwalk Hotel, Port
Elizabeth
21 – 23 September
WINDaba Conference and Exhibition 2014
www.windaba.co.za
The ideal place for wind industry suppliers to bring their products and services
to the South African wind energy market.
ICC, Cape Town
3 – 5 November
Cape Construction Expo
www.hypenica.com
Focusing on building and construction needs for the Western Cape.
Cape Town
15 – 17 October
International Conference on Construction
Materials and Structures (ICCMATS)
www.iccmats-wits.co.za/
The conference is focused on research, structural and industrial or engineering
applications involving the six modern construction materials namely: cement,
concrete, bitumen, steel, masonry, timber
TBA
24 – 26 November
JULY 2014
9 August
47
master builders
south africa
corporate members
Boland
Daniël Uys – Manager
Tel: 021 863 3330
E-mail: [email protected]
East Cape
Greg Steele – Executive Director
Tel: 041 365 1835
E-mail: [email protected]
Free State
Hendrina Greyling – Secretary
Tel: 057 352 6269
E-mail: [email protected]
MBA North
Mohau Mphomela – Executive Director
Tel: 011 805 6611
E-mail: [email protected]
KwaZulu-Natal
Vikashnee Harbhajan – Executive Director
Tel: 031 266 7070
E-mail: [email protected]
Groter Greater Boland
Celeste van Greunen – Secretary
Tel: 023 342 6964
E-mail: [email protected]
Northern Cape
Vic Smailes – Executive Director
Tel: 053 831 1845
E-mail: [email protected]
West Boland
Phillip Botha – President
Tel: 022 772 2251
E-mail: [email protected]
Western Cape
Rob Johnson – Executive Director
Tel: 021 685 2625
E-mail: [email protected]
affiliate members
Association of Architectural Aluminium
Manufacturers of SA
Hans Schefferlie – Director
Tel: 011 805 5002
E-mail: [email protected]
SA Reinforced Concrete Engineers’ Association
Jeff Thomas – Director
Tel: 011 455 6321
E-mail: [email protected]
SA Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Contractors’ Association
Barney Richardson – Director
Tel: 011 622 3890
E-mail: [email protected]
www.mbsa.org.za
48
people
Doyen of concrete roads
passes away
Louis Marais, widely regarded
as the pioneer of modern
concrete paving in South
Africa, passed away recently.
Marais joined the Portland
Louis Marais, the
Cement Institute (the
doyen of concrete
forerunner of the Cement &
pavements in
South Africa, has
Concrete Institute, and now
passed away
The Concrete Institute) in
1965 as a roads engineer
and was responsible for introducing concrete
pavements (roads) into South Africa. His first
success came in 1968 when concrete was specified
for 26 km of freeway outside Cape Town.
Marais worked tirelessly with engineers from the
Department of Transport to develop design methods
and specifications for concrete roads and managed
to make concrete the preferred building material for
several new roads in the 1970s to 1990s.
He played a leading role in the development of
design guides for the use of cement stabilisation of
soils and conducted early ground-breaking research
into the development of concrete block paving,
using an early version of the South African Heavy
Vehicle Simulator. Marais was also responsible for
promoting excellence in concrete industrial floor
design and construction and, with Bryan Perrie,
MD of The Concrete Institute, co-authored the
acclaimed handbook, Concrete Industrial Floors on
the Ground, which is now an essential authoritative
guide on the topic in South Africa.
In January 2010, Marais was inducted as an
Honorary Member of the International Society for
Concrete Pavements, a global organisation
dedicated to the promotion of concrete pavements.
Bryan Perrie, The Concrete Institute MD, who
delivered the eulogy at Marais’s funeral in
Roodepoort recently, said the passing of a man he
regarded as his tutor, had deprived the world of “a
giant in the field of concrete pavements – a legend
in his lifetime.” Perrie – who understudied Marais for
a decade prior to his retirement – said Marais
enjoyed the highest respect of all involved in the
local and international concrete industry and made
an immeasurable contribution to the acceptance
and widespread application of concrete roads that
now prevails in South Africa.
JULY 2014
23629 SAB 03/2014
23676 SAB 02/2014