Climate Change by Construction and Civil Engineering

CONSTRUCTION November-December 2018

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Climate Change Coud Nuclear energy play vital role in climate solutions?

Technology in Construction

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Climate Change is here with us A program to reduce Earth’s heat capture by injecting aerosols into the atmosphere from highaltitude aircraft is possible, but unreasonably costly with current technology, and would be unlikely to remain secret. Those are the key findings of new research published today in Environmental Research Letters, which looked at the capabilities and costs of various methods of delivering sulphates into the lower stratosphere, known as stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI). The researchers examined the costs and practicalities of a large scale, hypothetical ‘solar geoengineering’ project beginning 15 years from now. Its aim would be to halve the increase in anthropogenic radiative forcing, by deploying material to altitudes of around 20 kilometres. They also discussed whether such an idealized program could be kept secret. Dr Gernot Wagner, from Harvard University’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, is a co-author of the study. He said: “Solar geoengineering is often described as ‘fast, cheap, and imperfect’. “While we don’t make any judgement about the desirability of SAI, we do show that a hypothetical deployment program starting 15 years from now, while both highly uncertain and ambitious, would be technically possible strictly from an engineering perspective. It would also be remarkably inexpensive, at an average of around $2 to 2.5 billion per year over the first 15 years.” The researchers confirm earlier studies that discuss the low direct costs of potential stratospheric aerosol geoengineering intervention, but they arrive at those numbers with the help of direct input from aerospace engineering companies in specifying what the paper dubs the ‘SAI Lofter (SAIL)’. Wake Smith, a co-author of the study, is a lecturer at Yale College and held former positions as CEO of Pemco World Air Services (a leading aircraft modification company), COO of Atlas Air

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Worldwide Holdings (a global cargo airline), and President of the flight training division of Boeing. He said: “I became intrigued by the engineering questions around SAI and the many studies that purport to show that modified existing planes could do the job. Turns out that is not so. It would indeed take an entirely new plane design to do SAI under reasonable albeit entirely hypothetical parameters. No existing aircraft has the combination of altitude and payload capabilities required.” Mr. Smith said: “We developed the specifications for SAIL with direct input from several aerospace and engine companies. It’s equivalent in weight to a large narrow body passenger aircraft. But to sustain level flight at 20 kms, it needs roughly double the wing area of an equivalently sized airliner, and double the thrust, with four engines instead of two. “At the same time, its fuselage would be stubby and narrow, sized to accommodate a heavy but dense mass of molten sulphur rather than the large volume of space and air required for passengers.” The team estimated the total development costs at less than $2 billion for the airframe, and a further $350 million for modifying existing low-bypass engines. The new planes would comprise a fleet of eight in the first year, rising to a fleet of just under 100 within 15 years. The fleet would fly just over 4,000 missions a year in year one, rising to just over 60,000 per year by year 15. Dr Wagner said: “Given the potential benefits of halving average projected increases in radiative forcing from a particular date onward, these numbers invoke the ‘incredible economics’ of solar geoengineering. Dozens of countries could fund such a program, and the required technology is not particularly exotic.” However, in the authors’ view, this should not reinforce the often-invoked fear that a rogue country or operator might launch a clandestine SAI program upon an unsuspecting world. Mr Smith said: “No global SAI program of the scale and nature discussed here could reasonably expect to maintain secrecy.

DISCLAIMER: The publisher does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or authenticity of advertisements or contributions contained in the journal. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. Circulation Ken Kilozo Robert Kimani Marketing Executives George Otieno Liz Kyalo

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inside ... COVER STORY

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vation

The authors of a new MIT study say that unless nuclear energy is meaningfully incorporated into the global mix of low-carbon energy technologies, the challenge of climate change will be much more difficult and costly to solve.

BRIEFS 6. AkzoNobel strengthens African presence with new facility in Kenya 6. Award winning Savannah Cement eyes regional market 6. Low cost housing in Kenya gets financial stimulus 8. Cytonn awards construction tender 9. Cytonn Real Estate Partners With Finnish Architect For It’s Latest Ksh. 15 Billion Development 10. Sterling project management 10. Work on largest hydropower plant in Tanzania begins July 11. Construction of Sh17bn Western Bypass to begin 12. Rwanda now commits to construct own SGR 13. World’s largest construction company to build Africa’s tallest building 14. Mauritius’ Construction Sector to Grow by 7% in 2017 15. China Welcomes Madagascar to Join Belt and Road Construction

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FEATURE

Nuclear Power

At the moment, the only nuclear power plant in operation in Africa is South Africa’s Koeberg, producing 1.86GW of power. This, according to some African leaders, is about to change.

How Morocco tapped into Africa’s renewable energy potential

Providing reliable, affordable and sustainable access to energy has become a core focus of the international development community and is the seventh goal of the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

to 32 Factors Consider when

Concrete waterproofing

Choosing Tile Flooring

Tile- is one of the most popular flooring materials and quite versatile in part, as it can be installed in any room of your home and relatively easy job to plan. Tile is a durable choice of flooring of your home interior decor. It comes in various designs and sizes with endless colors which provides sophisticated choices for a natural ambience. It offers large number of advantages for homeowners including affordability, durability and convenience. Tile is a versatile resource that can be in use a variety of environments with no worry of constraints, of water, stains and designs.

Africa’s Green Energy Challenge: Mega Projects, Off-Grid or Somewhere in Between?

A 310-megawatt wind farm sprouting up in a remote, barren landscape near Lake Turkana in northern Kenya has the clean energy world buzzing — and for good reason.

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Egyptian firm Arab Contractors wins tender to build huge dam in Tanzania Egyptian construction firm Arab contractors has won the tender to design and build huge dam on Rufiji river in Tanzania, Egyptian presidency said in a statement on Sunday. In a phone call initiated by Magufuli, Sisi said the construction of the dam will be performed in a way that will make Tanzania, Egypt and the African continent proud, exemplifying African cooperation. The dam will be built on the Basin of Rufiji River as an important national project to generate power. Upon completion, the hydro dam project will provide 2,100MW of electricity to a country that is currently extremely under-supplied. With a population of approximately 53m Tanzania has just 1,400MW of installed grid capacity. Spanning over 20,000 square miles, a land area larger than Denmark, the Selous game reserve is considered one of the largest protected wild areas in Africa and is home to several wildlife species as well as an “exceptionally high variety of habitats” according to Unesco. Conservationists have expressed opposition to the project saying it threatens the endangered animal species in the area especially the black rhinoceros and elephants. The International Union for Conservation of Nature says the Stiegler’s Gorge dam project is likely to have a potentially negative impact to wildlife in the area especially the critically endangered black rhinoceros. But Tanzania says that the country wants to industrialize and cannot do so unless it has reliable

Bhojsons unveils DAB solar water pumps As part of the activities to expand the market in Nigeria, Bhojsons Group has introduced its innovative DAB solar water pumps in the country.

The new product was showcased to dealers during a forum and training session. Speaking at the occasion held in Lagos, Warren McMurtry, Export Manager, DAB, Italy, explained that DAB solar water pumps have advantages over other brands in terms of better price as a product from Grundfos – a leading water pumps manufacturer known for quality water pumps with seven production facilities across the world. The product covers commercial, domestic, industrial, and agricultural market for Asia, Europe, and Africa. McMurtry said based on the current low response to the DAB brands in Nigeria, there is a need to expand the market through training and provide useful information to distributors for a 6

power. The east African second largest economy banks on the hydroelectric project to end its persistent power problem. “The Stiegler’s Gorge power generation project was expected to completely end the country’s power woes and sustain local industries with electricity and sell the surplus outside the country,” says Medard Kalemani, Tanzania’s Minister for Energy.

better knowledge of the product capable of enhancing the ability to sell better and provide assistance to users whenever the need arises. He stressed that while Bhojsons is bringing a number of innovative and unique products that are unavailable in any of other channels or produced by competitors into the Nigerian market, there is the need to add value to the services. In his address, the Chairman, Bhojsons Group, Deepak Dalamal noted that “DAB water pumps come with very simple configuration, user-friendly, and effectiveness in service delivery. DAB is a self-priming centrifugal pump with excellent suction capacity even when there are air bubbles, particularly suitable for water supply in domestic installations, small scale agriculture, gardening, and wherever self- priming operation is necessary. Concerning the influx of substandard DAB water pumps in the nation’s market, Deepak said Bhojsons is “working closely with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), as well as different dealer associations across the country to tackle the menace, even to stop the unwholesome importations from the source in China.”

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / Nov-Dec 2018 Issue

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African businesses urged to embrace technology African businesses must adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution or risk becoming obsolete, an expert has cautioned.

Dr Gustav Rohde, Chief Operating Officer of global engineering company Aurecon said that new technology enables a society to offer deep scientific knowledge and solutions to complex problems. Speaking at the 54th Hendrik van der Bijl Memorial Lecture, hosted at the University of Pretoria, Dr Rohde observed that while digital technology is rapidly evolving the industry in South Africa was not adapting fast enough. “A major concern is the lack of governmentmandated Building Information Modelling standards(BIM) and practices,”he said. BIM standards have been set in most countries by governments in cooperation with trade associations and professional associations. Dr Rohde cautioned that unless South Africa quickly adopts technology, it would be playing catch up. “In countries like Australia you can see smart buildings that measure the temperature, light, movement, humidity, keep a record of assets, and switch off the lights when people are not around.” But the real challenge to African businesses would be to have skilled people in technology to

help spearhead the shift, Dr Rohde noted. “Engineers should lead the way. The should ensure that the Fourth Industrial Revolution solves real problem facing the society today,” he added. Engineers require a human-centric approach, which means they need to spend more time “understanding if we (and our clients) are solving the right problem – and by engaging with the end users and broader stakeholders, it allows us to create better and more sustainable solutions. While Universities should be playing a major role in enhancing digital revolution, Dr Rohde expressed concerns that most of them were teaching nearly the same engineering curriculum that was taught 20 years ago. “Knowledge and skills that helped us to succeed in the past will not guarantee a successful career in the future. Our rapidly changing world means we all run the risk of becoming obsolete at work – what I call our ‘sell-by date’. The 54th Hendrik van der Bijl Memorial Lecture was hosted by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology and the South African Academy of Engineering.

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Climate change The authors of a new MIT study say that unless nuclear energy is meaningfully incorporated into the global mix of low-carbon energy technologies, the challenge of climate change will be much more difficult and costly to solve.

For nuclear energy to take its place as a major low-carbon energy source, however, issues of cost and policy need to be addressed. In The Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World, released by the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) on September 3, the authors analyze the reasons for the current global stall of nuclear energy capacity — which currently accounts for only 5 percent of global primary energy production — and discuss measures that could be taken to arrest and reverse that trend. The study group, led by MIT researchers in collaboration with colleagues from Idaho 8

National Laboratory and University of Madison-Wisconsin, is presenting its findings and recommendations at events in London, Paris, and Brussels this week, followed by events on September 25 in Washington, D.C., and on October 9 in Tokyo. MIT graduate and undergraduate students and postdocs, as well as faculty from Harvard University and members of various think tanks also contributed to the study as members of the research team. “Our analysis demonstrates that realizing nuclear energy’s potential is essential to achieving a deeply decarbonized energy future in many regions of the world,” says study cochair Jacopo Buongiorno, the TEPCO Profes-

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sor and Associate Department Head of the Nuclear Science and Engineering Department at MIT. He adds, “Incorporating new policy and business models, as well as innovations in construction that may make deployment of cost-effective nuclear power plants more affordable, could enable nuclear energy to help meet the growing global demand for energy generation while decreasing emissions to address climate change.” The study team notes that the electricity sector in particular is a prime candidate for deep decarbonization. Global electricity consumption is on track to grow 45 percent by 2040, and the team’s analysis shows that the exclusion of nuclear from low-carbon scenarios could cause the average cost of electricity to escalate dramatically. “Understanding the opportunities and challenges facing the nuclear energy industry requires a comprehensive analysis of technical, commercial, and policy dimensions,” says Robert Armstrong, director of MITEI and the Chevron Professor of Chemical Engineering. “Over the past two years, this team has examined each issue, and the resulting report contains guidance policymakers and industry leaders may find valuable as they evaluate options for the future.” The report discusses recommendations for nuclear plant construction, current and future reactor technologies, business models and policies, and reactor safety regulation and licensing. The researchers find that changes in reactor construction are needed to usher in an era of safer, more costeffective reactors, including proven construction management practices that can keep nuclear projects on time and on budget. “A shift towards serial manufacturing of standardized plants, including more aggressive use of fabrication in factories and shipyards, can be a viable cost-reduction strategy in countries where the productivity of the traditional construction sector is low,” says MIT visiting research scientist David Petti, study executive director and Laboratory Fellow at the Idaho National Laboratory. “Future projects should also incorporate reactor designs with inherent and passive safety features.” These safety features could include core materials with high chemical and physical stability and engineered safety systems that require limited or no emergency AC power and minimal external intervention.

Features like these can reduce the probability of severe accidents occurring and mitigate offsite consequences in the event of an incident. Such designs can also ease the licensing of new plants and accelerate their global deployment. “The role of government will be critical if we are to take advantage of the economic opportunity and low-carbon potential that nuclear has to offer,” says John Parsons, study co-chair and senior lecturer at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. “If this future is to be realized, government officials must create new decarbonization policies that put all low-carbon energy technologies (i.e. renewables, nuclear, fossil fuels with carbon capture) on an equal footing, while also exploring options that spur private investment in nuclear advancement.” The report lays out detailed options for government support of nuclear. For example, the authors recommend that policymakers should avoid premature closures of existing plants, which undermine efforts to reduce emissions and increase the cost of achieving emission reduction targets. One way to avoid these closures is the implementation of zero-emissions credits — payments made to electricity producers where electricity is generated without greenhouse gas emissions — which the researchers note are currently in place in New York, Illinois, and New Jersey. Another suggestion from the study is that the government support development and demonstration of new nuclear technologies through the use of four “levers” (i) funding to share regulatory licensing costs, (ii) funding to share research and development costs, (iii) funding for the achievement of specific technical milestones, and (iv) funding for production credits to reward successful demonstration of new designs. The report includes an examination of the current nuclear regulatory climate, both in the United States and internationally. While the authors note that significant social, political, and cultural differences may exist among many of the countries in the nuclear energy community, they say that the fundamental basis for assessing the safety of nuclear reactor programs is fairly uniform, and should be reflected in a series of basic aligned regulatory principles. They recommend regulatory requirements for advanced reactors be coordinated and aligned internationally to enable international deployment of commercial reactor designs, and to standardize and ensure a high level of safety worldwide. The study concludes with an emphasis on the urgent need for both cost-cutting advancements and forward-thinking policymaking to make the future of nuclear energy a reality.

The effects of climate change are being felt across the world

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Parklane Construction Limited

Parklane Construction Company Limited is a PrivateLimited Company, which came into Inception 2013, duly incorporated under the company Act Laws of Kenya. The firm has been providing civil engineering and other building construction services to Private Companies and Government Institutions, with a clear vision of providing comprehensive range of quality services and goods. Our reputation has been achieved for delivering the highest level of services in the Construction industry is constant and is a critical element in our success. We truly provide comprehensive services to our clients, from planning through post construction. We are fully equipped with modern tools and equipment, a newly fitted state of the art 10

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / Nov-Dec 2018 Issue

office and an abundant godown space adequate for materialsand equipment storage and fabrication. Our work environment is one of professionalism and team work, and we are always striving to maintain a workplace where employees can learn and grow through motivation and team building. Our company’s mission is to provide clients with quality construction services has resulted in repeat of client business. Some of the projects undertaken We undertake all kinds of construction works ranging from small buildings to large and complex developments. We also work in conjunction with a number of leading construction contractors operating within the entire country with the leading private and international organizations. The works undertaken by PARKLANE CONSTRUCTION LTD includes-: •Residential Housing •Banks, Commercial Buildings and Interiors •Office Buildings •Hospitality Developments, Hotels, Lodges, Resorts •Institutions •Industrial Projects •Retail Facilities •Health Care Facilities Benefit from our experienced field supervision, skilled labor force, and quality materials, quality workmanship gained through our past work experience. We have built our business and reputation from our commitment to providing highest standards of service and goods, and maintaining consistent recourse to professionalism.It’s a style of our management, a form of communication, a higher level of responsibility, respect, leadership and a method of ensuring every ingredient and material s aremixed and placed to rigid specifications, we alsoprequalify in a position of subcontractors where required. PARKLANE CONSTRUCTION LTD acknowledges that the disciplines of Health and Safety are core principal integral part of our management function.Our company structure views these as a primary responsibility and the key to good business in adopting appropriate Health & Safety Standards. Our Vision To be one of the leading in the market field of specialization in General Buildings and Civil Contractors Industry with total quality management skills and by providing exceptional performance and maintenance that ensure high levels to our entire customer satisfaction. Our Mission To provide the best enhanced quality, innovative, safe, and flexible construction services. Our company’s mission is to provide our clients with the best quality construction services and delivering in time and within the budget . This is the cornerstone on which PARKLANE CONSTRUCTION LTD has built its reputation,

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since it was founded. We serve our clients by evaluating alternative solutions, providing creativity and continuously challenging ideas to find the best options. We excels when working as part of a collaborative team to develop, design, and construct each project. Our Values Our Code embodies the vision of our company founders and encompasses the values that have been and will continue to be vital to the future success of the Company. Our Values represent how we treat each other, how we deal with our customers, how we respond to our stakeholders, and how we hold each other and ourselves accountable, this is the legacy we will leave for generations to come. The following are our Core Values that represent the cornerstone of our Code of Conduct. •Honesty •Quality •Dependability •Customer Satisfaction •Professionalism •Integrity •Fairness •Accountability •Consideration of others •Pursuit of Excellence •Reliability

Projects Office Block Tower 1 Parklane Construction Limited was appointed for the construction of this ultra-modern office block located at Moi Avenue which is in the heart of Nakuru town, designed with dynamic forms and façade allowing panoramic views of the environs. The facility has the state of the art restaurants, shops and ample parking’s at the basement. The building comprises of a 12 storey multipurpose building with ground floor and 3 No. basements and associated services installations plus external works with a gross area

(approximately) 9240 SQM. Façade works for Rahimtullah Towers Upper Hill has become the hub of most prestigious commercial buildings. Rahimtullah Tower being one of the iconic buildings in the area, has attracted many investors in the surrounding region. Parklane Construction Limited was commissioned for this project and the scope of works consisted of exterior walls hacking of marble to application of wall master and paint. Mixed Use Development for Spring Green Properties LLP This modern day building is situated on the corner of a busy intersection of the Outer Ring road in Ruaraka. Being placed in a flourishing business climate and in close proximity to other commercial developments, provides the necessary target market for its functionalities. The building has one basement, ground floor which is a commercial and 10 accommodation floors. We were assigned for the construction of this building which was completed in time and within the scope of the project budget. Guru Apartments Developing in a premier residential zone in Nairobi, this project is situated in Parklands which has historically sustained a high level of desirability. This captivating internationally designed development, with expansive terraces and balconies allows for an unparalleled indoor/outdoor experience in Nairobi’s unique tropical environment. Accommodation is complemented by an array of landscaped external spaces, and gardens, custom designed to cultivate a range of experiences in an overall secure surrounding. There is a sense of eco-conscious design, supplementing and supportive of a “home” community sense of wellbeing. The project comprises of an apartment block comprising of 30 units on 10 Floors. Parklane Construction Limited developed a tailored solution in response to the construction of this state of the art residential apartment.

We are proud to be associated with Parklane Construction Limited

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ALP boosts warehousing in Kenya with grade A facility

Africa Logistics Properties has launched its first 49,000 sqm of modern grade –A warehousing at ALP North Industrial Park with 75 per cent of the facility pre-leased, a move that is expected to boost warehousing in Kenya amid shortage. The development comes at a time when other segments of the commercial, retail and residential real estate market are struggling to achieve total occupancy of 75 per cent. “The near complete uptake of ALP North prior to launch speaks to the scale of the shortage of warehousing in Kenya. But it also demonstrates that real estate requires developers to concentrate on the genuine areas of market need,” said Toby Selman, CEO of ALP. The demand for grade-A warehousing, which delivers significant cost savings and efficiency for users, currently far exceeds supply in the country, with warehouse users reporting that finding suitable facilities is frequently impossible, according to recent research by Tilisi Developments. This shortage contrasts sharply with overbuild in some other real estate segments. The oversupply of commercial space in Nairobi reached 4.7m sqft in 2017, while retail space oversupply reached 3.7 m sq ft. Meanwhile, the supply of mall space rose by 41.6 per cent last year, even as demand stagnated. As a result, according to Knight Frank’s 2018 Kenya Market Update report, the occupancy rate for new retail centres is now running at between 60 and 75 per cent. This shifting balance of supply and demand has also changed relative investment yields, with commercial and retail yields falling from 11 per cent three years ago to eight per cent by 2017, while residential property yields are now running at 5.6 per cent. This has moved warehousing yields to pole position within real estate, at 8.5 per cent.

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / Nov-Dec 2018 Issue

“The proportion of pre-leasing has also been driven by the quality of the warehousing, which just does not exist elsewhere in Kenya and East Africa at the moment,” said Selman. That scarcity has driven far higher pre-leasing by ALP in Nairobi than is normal elsewhere. In the US, the pre-lease rate recently rose to 43 per cent from a 17-year running average of 38 per cent, according to a recent report by CBRE, a global leader in real estate services. However, ALP’s distribution hubs have brought international design practices that now sharply boost efficiency and productivity. For instance, the new warehousing offers pallet stacking 12 metres high, instead of the four metres offered by others in the market, as well as large column grids of 12m by 24m, which results in denser storage capacity and reduces the cost per pallet by up to 30 per cent. The site also incorporates laser-levelled floors with anti-scratch coating that bear up to 10 tonnes. These allow the incorporation of automation systems, such as dock levellers, mechanized loading conveyors, and fork-lift-mechanized loading, cranes and loading platforms, which together improve turn-around time and cut labour by up to 76 per cent. Traffic management flows also facilitate quicker turnaround times for trucks and deliveries, and the warehousing offers improved healthy and safety measures, firefighting systems with sprinklers, fibre optic telecommunications, and solar panels on rooftops for greater energy efficiency. Located on the key peripheral routes connecting Kenya’s largest airport, JKIA, to the main transport corridors from Kenya to Uganda and Rwanda, “ALP’s strategic positioning further increases distribution and supply chain efficiencies,” said Selman.

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Africa’s poor road construction can impact the livelihoods of millions of people, here’s how Ethiopia plans to fix it One of the fastest growing economies in Africa, Ethiopia, has an ambitious plan to cut a green, sustainable path to becoming a middle-income country by 2025. Along the way, the country faces growing urban migration and rising demand for food – challenges that are linked by, and depend on, roads for access, supply and mobility. In 1997, the total road network in Ethiopia was 26,550 kilometres. By 2014 it reached 99,522 km. For the country to reach its ambitious growth targets it’s aiming to double this to over 200,000 km by 2020. But new roads in Ethiopia and across sub-Saharan Africa often change the landscape, bringing dust, flooding and erosion. The impact is felt most by rural communities. Roads can negatively affect water flows to wetlands, block fish movements and cause landslides, as well as impact the livelihoods of millions of people. There is a solution: an approach to road building developed by Dutch social enterprise MetaMeta shows that it’s possible to reduce the impact of new roads and support food production by harvesting excess water. Under a project rolled out in Ethiopia as well as nine other countries including Bangladesh, roads are being built using innovative designs and drainage structures to collect water caused by flooding. This has solved an infrastructural issue while conserving water that can be used for crops and to feed livestock. Well built roads Practitioners at MetaMeta found that more than a third of households in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, reported flooding as a result of new roads with negative effects on crop production for around one in ten households. The study found that poor road construction can lead to soil erosion on farms and plots of land hugging the roadside. In addition, construction can increase the cost of road maintenance and repairs. This in turn limits transport options, including restricting access to markets, schools and hospitals. The net cost is damaged livelihoods. One solution, developed by MetaMeta, helps both mitigate the impact of new roads and support food production by harvesting excess water with “smart roads”. A project called Roads for Water is testing the concept. Funded by the Global Resilience Partnership, an independent partnership of public and private organisations focusing on the most vulnerable people and places, this project uses innovative road concepts, designs and drainage structures to collect water caused by flooding. For example, roads can route water to storage ponds or underground aquifers. Road drifts can help to retain water in dry riverbeds, and ensure systematic spreading of floodwaters. By harvesting rainwater, communities living near road networks can increase their resilience to shocks such as floods and droughts. In Ethiopia the project showed that USD$1,800 per km investment is sufficient to implement such measures, and can directly benefit over two million people. This compares favourably with annual maintenance expenditures per kilometre of USD$1,100 per year on rural

roads in sub Saharan Africa and a periodic maintenance of USD$11,200 often incurred from water damage. These smart roads are increasing resilience to shocks, such as floods because water is being harvested and maintenance costs are reduced. They are also driving down the cost of road construction through, for example, the reuse of borrow pits for permanent water storage rather than requiring them to be backfilled. This is a considerable cost saving measure and additionally creates a local water resource. In Bangladesh, for example, smart roads are helping build resilience to floods that submerged a third of the country last year. If countries like Ethiopia and Bangladesh are to become more resilient they will need innovative solutions to an increasingly uncertain climate. The importance of building resilient roads will only intensify as populations grow and countries develop. Globally, an estimated 900 million rural people still don’t have access to road and transport infrastructure. The investment gap on global roads is expected to approach USD$1.6 trillion per year for the next 40 years as increasing amounts of roads are built, especially in the developing world. But solutions for better roads won’t work unless they are driven by local ideas and are compatible with local needs and contexts. Collaboration and buy-in between local partners – from engineers to technicians, farmers, labourers and governments departments – is critical. Solutions as simple as bringing the ministry responsible for roads together with the ministry responsible for water and talking them through the challenges and opportunities can produce remarkable results. Frank van Steenbergen, the head of MetaMeta, also contributed to the article. _The Conversation Nathanial Matthews, Senior fellow, King’s College London and Frank van Steenbergen, Water management specialist, Utrecht University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

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Uganda banks on iconic Nile bridge to boost traffic flow, road safety

Uganda hope that the newly inaugurated smart bridge will help ease traffic flow and boost road safety in country that has been grappling with high frequency of road accidents But more importantly, authorities hope that the Nile Bridge will help enforce axle load limits. Overloaded cargo trucks continue to be a major problem that faces Uganda and indeed the East Africa entire region. A top Ugandan transport official was quoted by The East African as saying that the Nile Bridge will significantly boost trade in the region as well as ease traffic on the old Nalubaale Bridge. Smart Bridge The iconic bridge is fitted with eight cameras to take images of all vehicles passing through it. Once an overloaded vehicle is detected, sensors in the bridge trigger the cameras to take pictures of the number plate of the vehicle. The image is then sent to the ministry of transport and public works for further processing. The Nile Bridge is a dual carriageway and measures 525 metres long and 22.9 metres wide. It was built at a cost of US$125m with financial support from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Described as the latest technology in Japanese bridge engineering, the Nile bridge is fitted with laser lighting to illuminate the structure at 14

night and in bad weather during the day. “The technology that has been used here will inform future projects not only in Uganda but in the rest of Africa,” said JICA president in Uganda Shinichi Kitaoka. The bridge is located in Jinja, a busy import-export corridor for Uganda through Kenya and, as such, provides the economic lifeline for the landlocked country. Zenitaka Corporation and Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company from Japan and South Korea, respectively, built the bridge. It is the second of its kind in East Africa after Tanzania’s 680 metre-long Kigamboni Bridge, which was commissioned a fortnight ago. The digital bridge has been in the cards for years, but began to take shape in 2010. Groundbreaking started in 2014 and was expected to be completed within 48 months but weather challenges pushed the date for a further five months.

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / Nov-Dec 2018 Issue

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Kenyan construction market gains momentum-report

There is a lot of buzz in the Kenyan construction market as activity levels pick up following the electioneering period in 2017 when a major slump was witnessed, a new report has shown. The report from Mace, an international consultancy and construction company reveals a broad-based growth across sectors of the construction market, forecast at 8.9% for 2018. “With construction projects being won in the renewed confidence after the elections, tender prices are recovering to pre-election levels,” says Simon Herd Managing Director MaceYMR. But real acceleration will be seen in 2019 when work won after the election comes through to market. According to the report, infrastructure is expected to be the fastest growing construction sector over the next few years thanks to increased government spending in this sector. Rail and port infrastructure for instance, will see growth with government investment focused on improving logistics. Power is also a growth sector as Kenya continues to harness its significant renewables capacity – particularly geothermal. Increased construction activities will also be fuelled by Kenya’s social housing programme that is meant to meet skyrocketing demand of housing due to expanding middle class. Hotel and retail spaces are also set to grow in Kenya as a result of increased consumer base.Already, Nairobi the largest mall development hotspot in Africa with around 470,000 sq.m. of shopping space in the pipeline.

times. While there was a peaceful transition of power, the country still faces economic difficulties that has affected the construction industry. “With activity levels slow to pick up despite improved confidence, we are seeing construction firms failing as the pipeline of government projects looks increasingly unreliable,” says Mandla Mlangeni Director for MMQSMace. In addition to this, the twin challenges of the Mining Charter and land reform in South Africa will continue to impact on investor confidence in the construction sector, dampening investment levels, notes the report.

The report also focused on the South Africa construction market which has faced a myriad of challenges in recent www.cceonlinenews.com

FEATURE

Booming construction in Nairobi requires a focus on supporting infrastructure

Over the 50 years since independence, Kenya’s role as the gateway to East Africa has developed, attracting people, investment and businesses to its capital. This year the city made the UN list of top 4 investment cities in Africa, as multinationals flock to the country looking for a foothold in the East African market. In the 13 years from 2003–2016 Nairobi attracted $5.9bn in Foreign Direct Investment, the second fastest growth in investment on the continent. As money flowed to the capital, Nairobi has had to keep pace with the infrastructure, housing and general urban living demands of an increasingly middle class and global city. To some extent, the city has been a victim of its own success: with an attractive offering for businesses people have been flocking to the city in search of jobs. Kenya is urbanising at a rate of 4.3% per annum, almost twice the global average of 2%. It is no surprise the city is struggling to keep up with the pace of demand from all its new citizens. The lack of a long term vision for the city hindered planning in the past, meaning much of the needed infrastructure went in ad hoc, or not at all, resulting in some of the biggest slums in Africa. More recently however there has been a concerted effort to coordinate planning and maximise the benefit to be derived from investments into the city. The Nairobi City Master Plan was devised for this reason and is being used to direct investment towards the areas of most need, notably trans-

port, social housing and water. As developments fly up, the Nairobi construction sector has registered a 71% rebound from the election period slowdown with SH60.1bn of projects approved in H1 2018, almost double the previous 6 months. Residential construction has seen particular strength as the city has grown to accommodate the rapid urbanisation of the population. So far this year there has been a 50% jump in the value of residential projects approved, and 11.65% growth in non-residential buildingconstruction. With strong private investment flowing into Nairobi, the challenge is directing funding to where it is most needed by the population. Strong investment flows and demand have pushed residential prices out of the realm of affordability for most of the city’s population, with growth of 30% annually from 2010–2012, and only slight corrections in 2016–2017. Now the government is responding to the gaps in the market with a significant affordable housing programme, including a Sh6.5bn development in Parklands. Similar challenges surround all sections of the real estate market: whilst the will and the demand for commercial, retail, hotels and hospitality developments is there, the strength of demand is pushing prices higher for occupiers. Government funding constraints are also holding back provision of enabling infrastructure, without which all the fancy new developments won’t have the connectivity, healthy, welleducated employees and city services needed for them to support Nairobi’s success.

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FEATURE

Why nuclear power for African countries doesn’t make sense

At the moment, the only nuclear power plant in operation in Africa is South Africa’s Koeberg, producing 1.86GW of power. This, according to some African leaders, is about to change.

Over the last few years reports have surfaced of a range of African countries planning nuclear power plants. At the moment, the only nuclear power plant in operation in Africa is South Africa’s Koeberg, producing 1.86GW of power. This, according to some African leaders, is about to change. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently made the astonishing statement that his country is planning 30GW of nuclear power by 2026. That equates to 16 times the current total of nuclear energy on the entire African continent. Uganda’s is only one of a number of countries interested in nuclear power. Russia’s nuclear agency Rosatom has boasted that it’s concluded nuclear power memoranda of understanding with Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan and Zambia. Ugandais also on the list. Most African countries suffer from severe electricity shortages. The majority need to double their generating capacity to meet current needs. According to International Energy Agency figures, Kenya, Sudan and Zambia are primarily dependent on hydroelectric power. A 2.4GW nuclear plant would double their electricity production. Nigeria’s dominant energy source is gas, and here it would take a 4.8GW nuclear plant to double its capacity. Of the countries with Rosatom agreements, only Egypt has any concrete plans in place. A site for a 18

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / October 2018 Issue

FEATURE

Nuclear power agreements are notoriously shrouded in secrecy. But it’s possible to get a sense of Rosatom’s plans for African nuclear contracts by examining recent examples where details of mutual commitments have become public.

4.8GW nuclear plant has been identified at El Dabaa, on the Mediterranean Sea, and building is understood to be imminent. In the other countries, the location and scale of the projects have yet to be determined. Elsewhere in the world countries like Germany, Belgium and the US are downscaling their nuclear plans or exiting it altogether. The reasons include perceptions of increased risk following the Fukushima disaster in Japan as well as economic factors. The cost of electricity generation from solar photovoltaic and wind technologies has come down dramatically. It already costs less than power produced by nuclear plants and renewable energy is set to become even cheaper. Given that South Africa has shelved its nuclear plans on affordability grounds, surely less resourced African countries would find investments like this even more difficult? The loan agreements Nuclear power agreements are notoriously shrouded in secrecy. But it’s possible to get a sense of Rosatom’s plans for African nuclear contracts by examining recent examples where details of mutual commitments have become public. A deal struck with Bangladesh provides a useful benchmark against which to understand other deals that have been done with Russia. In the case of the 2.4GW Rooppur nuclear plant, Rosatom is providing most of a US$ 12.65 billion loan. This only covers the estimated construction costs. Interest accrual, possible cost overruns, operations and decommissioning are likely to amount to more than double of this initial outlay. That makes a total cost of roughly US$ 30 billion likely. Egypt’s earlier mentioned El Dabaa project has a similar funding arrangement. Here Rosatom has given a loan of US$ 25 billion, which again is projected to only cover construction. For both Rooppur and El Dabaa, the annual interest for their loan is around 3%. In addition, the loan is structured in a way that ensures repayments only start 10-13 years after the loan is made, to continue in an-

The nuclear industry also has a history of cost overruns and construction delays. A country may therefore face a situation where it needs to service a higher-than-expected debt while being unable to recoup funds from electricity sales. nual instalments for 22-28 years thereafter. The country receiving the nuclear plant initially pays very little, but when the repayments kick in, the country’s fiscus and electricity consumers are suddenly faced with a massive burden that most African economies will never be able to meet. By then the 3% annual interest could have increased the amount owed by as much as 40%. The nuclear industry also has a history of cost overruns and construction delays. A country may therefore face a situation where it needs to service a higher-than-expected debt while being unable to recoup funds from electricity sales. What is equally concerning is that the debt then places Russia in a position where it is able to exert disproportionate influence over a country’s affairs. Zambia is eyeing a nuclear plant on the scale of Bangladesh’s Rooppur. The plant is expected to cost US$ 30 billion. Given Zambia’s total annual budget is US$ 7.2 billion this is clearly unaffordable. If one were to scale the Rooppur cost from 2.4GW to the 30GW nuclear power plants proposed by Museveni, the figure would be 15 times Uganda’s annual GDP of US$ 24 billion. Cheaper options Are there cheaper alternatives to nuclear power to alleviate energy shortages in Africa? A great deal of hope was placed on the 40GW Grand Inga hydroelectric scheme on the Congo river. But the project isn’t going to come to fruition soon due to funding challenges. The most promising solution seems to be through multiple small-scale power production initiatives, typically in bio-energy, solar heaters and photovoltaic modules. These provide cheaper electricity than nuclear and are in addition good job creators. With its extensive agricultural sector, all of Africa has great bio-waste energy potential. Kenya has shown that there are excellent geothermal energy extraction possibilities along the Rift Valley.The ConversationMany countries, including Egypt and Kenya, enjoy ample sunshine, making them ideal for solar power generation. With the right incentives, these could drive an African energy generation boom. Hartmut Winkler is a Professor of Physics at the University of Johannesburg This article was first published on the Conversation

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FEATURE

Abu Dhabi real estate firm Eagle Hills ventures into Ethiopia The leading real estate developer organised a launch event in the renowned Addis Ababa La Gare train station, after which the project is named, revealing the masterplan. An Abu Dhabi-based private real estate investment and development company Eagle Hills, has ventured into the Ethiopian market with the launch of La Gare,a mixed use development in downtown of Addis Abiba. Upon completion the project will be the largest mixed-use developments in Ethiopia and offering more than 4,000 residences. The leading real estate developer organised a launch event in the renowned Addis Ababa La Gare train station, after which the project is named, revealing the masterplan. Located in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, La Gare represents an integrated community comprising residential, commercial, hospitality, retail and leisure facilities in a single, secure and exclusive setting surrounding a park. The development spans an area of approximately 360,000 sqm in proximity to the Addis Bole International Airport, with a rail line running along its northern edge. Situated in the city centre, La Gare is anchored by four and five-star hotels supported by retail outlets, offices and residential buildings. The government of Ethiopia, in partnership with Eagle Hills, aims to develop a social housing component within the masterplan, where residential units will be built to permanently accommodate the existing residents currently living in the project site. Commenting on the expansion, Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Eagle Hills, said: “As one of Africa’s hidden gems, Ethiopia is rich in history, culture and natural beauty. Our vision is to bring attention to such locations across the globe, revealing the charm and potential within them and inviting future residents and tourists to consider making new homes for themselves there.” In addition to creating a brand-new skyline andcity centre, La Gare is set to contribute to the local market by creating jobs, further bolstering market sentiment and energizing the economy. “La Gare is a project of passion that will be developed on a land of heritage. It will be built upon the historical grounds of La Gare train station that has stood the test of time, and with our project, will live in people’s collective memories for even longer,” Mohamed Alabbar added. La Gare, translated from French to ‘The Station,’ was the main railway station in Addis Ababa, the terminal station of the first Addis Ababa – Djibouti train line in the Horn of Africa. 20

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / October 2018 Issue

Completed in 1917, the station was a central part of the capital and the main source of traffic into the city. A striking skyline with an obvious hierarchy can be seen from several key points within the new city that defines the address. The residential towers and central commercial office buildings are arranged symmetrically around a central arrival driveway which forms the main arrival boulevard. Situated around the development perimeter, the residential towers form a large central landscaped zone, refreshing and functional for residents to live, work, shop and relax within their community. Parking, circulation, arrival and drop offs, and zoning of various components have been accommodated in a cohesive and fully efficient manner. Retail outlets open into courtyards which are shaded and landscaped in an individual manner, giving identity and distinction within the retail area itself. The residences will offer spectacular vistas of the surrounding city and the creation of new signature vistas within. Each tower has direct ground level pedestrian access to a social environment with active day and night retail areas. La Gare’s retail attractions are second to none, seamlessly fitting into a landscaped setting that brings a new lifestyle choice to Ethiopia. A vibrant modern retail and leisure destination in the heart of the city, La Gare’s retail district is set amid elegant plazas and open spaces, with a focus on being pedestrian-friendly. With a wide range of indoor and outdoor food & beverage choices, the retail district also features modern formats that appeal to the new generation of customers. With seamless connectivity, it also offers ample organized parking for visitors. La Gare serves as a new commercial hub for the city, offering centrally-located Grade A offices and leasehold commercial property. The offices are part of a detailed masterplan that offers a wide range of amenities including retail and F&B outlets, green plazas and four and five-star hotels within walking distance. Defined by excellent connectivity and abundant parking spaces, the commercial offices are elegantly designed and assure a prestigious address for businesses. Since its founding in 2014, Eagle Hills has realised an impressive growth plan that has seen it enter into agreements to support the redevelopment and reinvigoration of numerous cities in Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. As an Abu Dhabi-based private real estate investment and development company, Eagle Hills has so far achieved a series of significant milestones, with more ambitious plans to be unveiled in the near future.

FEATURE

Autodesk roots for digital construction in Nigeria

American multinational software corporation Autodesk is drumming support for digital construction in Nigeria to enhance the industry’s profitability. Speaking at a one-day forum dubbed “The Future of Making Things” in Lagos, Simon Bromfield, Autodesk’s Africa Lead and Channel Manager said that for players such as contractors to work efficiently, innovation was urgently required. “Contractors are pressured on many sides, operating in a market driven by money and risk. Securing a profitable place in tomorrow’s market will be linked to a contractor’s ability to innovate. We urgently need to focus on the future- the future of making things with technology,” said M r Bromfield. He observed that while other industries have embraced digitization, the contraction industry still lags behind. He however expressed confidence that digital construction in Africa was gaining momentum. “When you see how this connectivity influences every facet of a construction

site—improving the efficiency, safety, and cost—it is not even a question of whether the industry will move in this direction, only how quickly” he said. The forum held at Radisson Blu Hotel also sought to look into some of the challenges facing the construction industry such as project complexity, globalization of construction, skills shortage, and access to capital. The event further explored the relevance of augmented and virtual reality, generative design, AI/Machine learning, smart cities, factory of the future, and climate change solutions, in the future of construction and infrastructure. But participants also acknowledged that adoption of cloud-enabled technologies present an opportunity for disruption in the way we design and operate buildings and infrastructure. The Future’s Forum targets Mid-level to Senior Management Executives and stakeholders in architecture, engineering and construction in Nigeria. Autodesk desires to help people digitize the construction process and project management, building a unified construction data platform to provide accurate information at the point of decision-making and drive better decisions and more profitable project outcomwes.

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BRIEFS

Kumkang Kind: Boosting affordable housing and social empowerment in Africa

It branches across the world, namely:Kumkang Kind Korea (Headquarters), Kumkang Kind America, Kumkang Kind India, Kumkang Kind Malaysia, Kumkang Kind Vietnam, Kumkang Kind Indonesia and – the first and currently the only formwork company to have a branch in Africa – Kumkang Kind East Africa. Furthermore, the company has established several agents and distributors such that wherever you are, you will always find their products nearby. Kumkang Kind is a public listed company with over 500 employees worldwide, and USD 600 million in sales annually. Having seven factories in Korea and 1 factory in Malaysia, Kumkang Kind’s unrivaled manufacturing capacity produces over 1.9 million square meters of Aluminium formwork, 26,000 tons of Aluminium billets, and 12,000 tons of scaffolding and special formwork every year. What is Aluminium formwork? The Aluminium Formwork System was developed by W. J. Malone, a Canadian Engineer in the

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / Nov-Dec 2018 Issue

late 1970s as a system for constructing low– cost housing unit in developing countries. The units were to be of cast-in-place concrete, with load bearing walls using a formwork of Aluminium panels. To be erected by the hundreds, of a repetitive design, the system ensured a fast and economical method of construction. What is your product range? With over 38 years of experience in the manufacture and distribution of construction supplies, Kumkang Kind delivers a wide range of solutions. These are Aluminium Formwork, Steel Formwork, Civil infrastructure Formwork, Scaffolding and Shoring, Modular Units, Steel Pipes, and Climbing Systems. The Aluminium formwork production facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art Friction Stir and Robotic Welding machines to guarantee the highest quality. A highly

COVERBRIEFS STORY

experienced technical department ensures clients of unsurpassed support and strict supervision to enhance efficiency and safety. The Aluminium recycling and extrusion factory allows the company to be selfsufficient in diversifying the Aluminium supply base to avoid any delays. Kumkang Kind has a strong belief in ethical management and responsibility toward society and contribution to its wellbeing. Scalability Kumkang Aluminium Formwork System is modular, and as such engineered to any architectural or structural layout. Thus, the designers can be as creative as they like. Buildings cast using Kumkang Kind’s Aluminium formwork allow for the construction of taller, stronger and more complex structures. The high cost of land in urban areas presents the opportunity to build higher to maximize on land usage, and outward to provide housing to semi-urban or rural towns. All-in-one System Kumkang Kind provides the formwork panels, shoring, external working platforms and accessories required for each project. Unlike other existing systems, the Kumkang Aluminium Formwork System is flexible, lightweight and suits all building types without the need to rely on heavy cranes and other heavy construction plant and equipment. Furthermore, all components are 100% recyclable and thus reduce the impact to the environment. Current Use in the African Market As is the trend with the adoption of other global innovations, the continent is leapfrogging into technological relevance. Since 2010, the Kumkang Kind’s Aluminium formwork system has been adopted in several countries in the north, east and west of Africa. Algeria A great example of the use of our formwork would be Dabladji Enterprise & Service. The owner, Mr. Dabladji Abderrahmane, was initially a painting sub-contractor who later invested in the Aluminium formwork for a project of 80 residential units. Due to his impressive speed and quality, the company was engaged by the Algerian Government to construct thousands of social housing units. Dabladji Enterprise & Service has mastered the use of Kumkang Kind’s Aluminium Formwork and is achieving an incredible cycle of two days per floor. Kenya Another success story is Homex Housing. Since the Founder and CEO, Mr. Samuel Njoroge, began using lightweight reusable formwork in 2012 and the company has never looked back. Homex Housing has since incorporated Kumkang Kind’s Aluminium formwork in five residential developments in Namanga, Nairobi and Kiambu, and continue to order more of Kumkang Kind’s formwork for new projects. Managing Director of Unity Homes, Mr. John Latham, recently adopted the formwork for an 80 unit residential project in Eldoret.

Unlike other existing systems, the Kumkang Aluminium Formwork System is flexible, lightweight and suits all building types without the need to rely on heavy cranes and other heavy construction plant and equipment. Furthermore, all components are 100% recyclable and thus reduce the impact to the environment. The company completed and sold the housing units in less than a year. Unity Gardens is a good example of social empowerment as they employed the services of local unskilled civilians who were trained and worked on the jobsite to completion. Unity gardens is now embarking on the third phase of residential development. Libya In Tripoli, the Kumkang Kind Aluminium Formwork was used by Daewoo Engineering & Construction in the construction of the JW Marriott Hotel. Similarly, Ranhill Berhad incorporated the use of the formwork in a 50,000unit housing project in Jamahiriya. Through the leadership of the Managing Director for Africa, Mr. Sang Won Jeon, Kumkang Kind East Africa continues to gain interest from other countries such as Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Djibouti, Somalia and Botswana. JW Marriott, Tripoli, Libya The 50,000 Housing Unit Project of Libya Jamahiriya, Libya What are the challenges in the market? Rolling out any new technology, especially in a massive market such as Africa has its challenges. However, Kumkang Kind finds these challenges to be mutual opportunities. Awareness While the Aluminium Formwork System has been in existence for over four decades, the exposure to Africa has been minimal. As the world develops into a global village, Africa is largely benefiting from exposure to technologies that have been previously developed, tried and tested. Kumkang Kind East Africa continues to explore multiple marketing avenues to engage with the African governments, private developers, contractors and construction professionals. Social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter play a major role considering that there are almost half a billion mobile service subscribers on the continent. Capital Expenditure Aluminium Formwork’s strength, durability and lightweight attributes create an almost perfect system for rapid construction. Kumkang Kind’s engineering and manufacturing facilities ensure that all their clients are satisfied and successful. The difference with conventional construction is that the system is an initial and one-time cost, and through repetition is where the savings begin to show. Kumkang Kind provides design optimization suggestions to help the client achieve maximum efficacy, and encourages the use of Aluminium formwork for large projects that have at least 40-50 repetitions of a similar design. The major consideration to make is that over the project lifetime, Kumkang Kind’s Aluminium Formwork System has proven to decrease the construction period by up to 84% and the overall cost by 36% compared to traditional methods of construction.

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COVER STORY

er the last few years reports have surfaced of a range of African countries planning nuclear power plants. At the moment, the only nuclear power plant in operation in Africa is South Africa’s Koeberg, producing 1.86GW of power. This, according to some African leaders, is about to change. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently made the astonishing statement that his country is planning 30GW of nuclear power by 2026. That equates to 16 times the current total of nuclear energy on the entire African continent. Uganda’s is only one of a number of countries interested in nuclear power. Russia’s nuclear agency Rosatom has boasted that it’s concluded nuclear power memoranda of understanding with Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan and Zambia. Ugandais also on the list. Most African countries suffer from severe electricity shortages. The majority need to double their generating capacity to meet current needs. According to International Energy Agency figures, Kenya, Sudan and Zambia are primarily dependent on hydroelectric power. A 2.4GW nuclear plant would double their electricity production. Nigeria’s dominant energy source is gas, and here it would take a 4.8GW nuclear plant to double its capacity. Of the countries with Rosatom agreements, only Egypt has any concrete plans in place. A site for a 4.8GW nuclear plant has been identified at El Dabaa,

on the Mediterranean Sea, and building is understood to be imminent. In the other countries, the location and scale of the projects have yet to be determined. Elsewhere in the world countries like Germany, Belgium and the US are downscaling their nuclear plans or exiting it altogether. The reasons include perceptions of increased risk following the Fukushima disaster in Japan as well as economic factors. The cost of electricity generation from solar photovoltaic and wind technologies has come down dramatically. It already costs less than power produced by nuclear plants and renewable energy is set to become even cheaper. Given that South Africa has shelved its nuclear plans on affordability grounds, surely less resourced African countries would find investments like this even more difficult? The loan agreements Nuclear power agreements are notoriously shrouded in secrecy. But it’s possible to get a sense of Rosatom’s plans for African nuclear contracts by examining recent examples where details of mutual commitments have become public. A deal struck with Bangladesh provides a useful benchmark against which to understand other deals that have been done with Russia. In the case of the 2.4GW Rooppur nuclear plant, Rosatom is providing most of a US$ 12.65 billion loan. This only covers the estimated construction costs. Interest accrual, possible

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / April 2017 Issue

COVER STORY

cost overruns, operations and decommissioning are likely to amount to more than double of this initial outlay. That makes a total cost of roughly US$ 30 billion likely. Egypt’s earlier mentioned El Dabaa project has a similar funding arrangement. Here Rosatom has given a loan of US$ 25 billion, which again is projected to only cover construction. For both Rooppur and El Dabaa, the annual interest for their loan is around 3%. In addition, the loan is structured in a way that ensures repayments only start 10-13 years after the loan is made, to continue in annual instalments for 22-28 years thereafter. The country receiving the nuclear plant initially pays very little, but when the repayments kick in, the country’s fiscus and electricity consumers are suddenly faced with a massive burden that most African economies will never be able to meet. By then the 3% annual interest could have increased the amount owed by as much as 40%. The nuclear industry also has a history of cost overruns and construction delays. A country may therefore face a situation where it needs to service a higher-than-expected debt while being unable to recoup funds from electricity sales. What is equally concerning is that the debt then places Russia in a position where it is able to exert disproportionate influence over a country’s affairs. Zambia is eyeing a nuclear plant on the scale of

Bangladesh’s Rooppur. The plant is expected to cost US$ 30 billion. Given Zambia’s total annual budget is US$ 7.2 billion this is clearly unaffordable. If one were to scale the Rooppur cost from 2.4GW to the 30GW nuclear power plants proposed by Museveni, the figure would be 15 times Uganda’s annual GDP of US$ 24 billion. Cheaper options Are there cheaper alternatives to nuclear power to alleviate energy shortages in Africa? A great deal of hope was placed on the 40GW Grand Inga hydroelectric scheme on the Congo river. But the project isn’t going to come to fruition soon due to funding challenges. The most promising solution seems to be through multiple small-scale power production initiatives, typically in bio-energy, solar heaters and photovoltaic modules. These provide cheaper electricity than nuclear and are in addition good job creators. With its extensive agricultural sector, all of Africa has great bio-waste energy potential. Kenya has shown that there are excellent geothermal energy extraction possibilities along the Rift Valley.The ConversationMany countries, including Egypt and Kenya, enjoy ample sunshine, making them ideal for solar power generation. With the right incentives, these could drive an African energy generation boom.

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COVER STORY

OFF-GRID SOLAR BOOSTS EAST AFRICA ECONOMY New report from GOGLA, the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry, shows 58% of households with off-grid solar systems undertake more work and enterprise thanks to clean, affordable, electricity,36% of households now make an average additional $35 per month, more than 50% of monthly GDP per capita while 44% report spending more time working with new light making previously dark hours productive.

Households using small scale-solar power in East Africa are reporting a rise in economic activity, with an improvement in income and job opportunities, according to a new report from GOGLA, the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry. The report, ‘Powering Opportunity: The Economic Impact of Off-grid Solar’ provides data demonstrating the economic benefits of off-grid solar power in the developing world. The findings show that nearly 60% of off-grid solar owners undertake more work and enterprise within just three months of using a solar home system. The research, funded by The UK’s Department for International Development (DfID) and conducted by Altai Consulting, was based on data collected from over 2,300 small-scale Pay-as-you-go (PAYG)

“Our research has identified three forces that are collectively shaping the nature of the ‘future of work’, which need to be understood in order for businesses to thrive, and even survive. These are technology, demographics and the power of pull.” 26

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / April 2017 Issue

solar owners in Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in Spring 2018.1 With more power for enterprise such as retail and entertainment together with increased working hours, over a third of respondents reported an average income increase of $35 a month, more than half the average monthly GDP per capita of the countries surveyed.2 Over 10% have started a new business, and 7% report getting a new job. Providing electricity at home, solar has also unlocked more time for economic activities, with many customers (44%) reporting that they are using previously dark and unproductive hours to work. Furthermore over 90% of households replacing toxic kerosene lamps, used by millions in the developing world, claim both improved health and feelings of safety. GOGLA’s impact report comes as global leaders gather to discuss how to meet the world’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) at the UN’s High Level Political Forum in New York (8-18th July). With the focus on “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”, the group is seeking insight on how to meet SDG’s including SD7 ‘Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030’.

COVER STORY

Koen Peters, Executive Director of GOGLA said: “GOGLA’s new report shows that the net economic and social benefits off-grid solar are a huge opportunity for national governments of the developing world. Governments tell us they are interested in jobs and economic impact. As this report shows, off-grid solar is directly delivering such impacts and significantly. We call on policy makers, treasury and energy departments to work together with off-grid companies, banks and institutions to breakdown barriers to off-grid solar and build a pathway to accelerate energy access.” Currently, 1 billion people across Africa and Asia, about one in seven people on earth, have no access to electricity.3 With falling prices, increased efficiency and financial in-

“in responding to the changing environment, the ‘power of pull’ will likely lead to much tighter alignment between work and customer needs” Maharaj

novation, such as pay-as-you-go consumer finance, over 120 million people have now shifted from toxic kerosene lamps, candles and diesel generators to clean off-grid solar electricity since 2010.4 Additional findings of ‘Powering Opportunity: The Economic Impact of Off-grid Solar’ show that, for many households, extra light and abandonment of kerosene has seen life improve both because children have more time to study and they feel safe at night. Solar electricity has also meant access to previously unobtainable products and services, such as televisions and phone charging opening up opportunities for work and leisure. The vast majority (94%) report an improvement in quality of life with solar.

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FEATURE

PAYG solar firms in Africa thriving, shows report

Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar firms are thriving in Africa raising about USD 260 million in capital in 2017, up 19% from 2016, and served more than 700,000 customers, a new report has shown. Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar firms are thriving in Africa raising about USD 260 million in capital in 2017, up 19% from 2016, and served more than 700,000 customers, a new report has shown. The Renewables Global Status 2018 report also shows that East and West Africa are the lucrative regions for PAYG solar firms leveraging mobile payment systems to thrive. In a “pay-as-you-go” (PAYG) business model, a company essentially rents consumers a solar home system that comes with a battery, a charge controller, a solar panel, LED bulbs and a mobile charger. Basic systems have enough power to charge phones and lights, and larger ones could power small appliances like radios or TVs. Consumers use basic mobile phones – widespread in East Africa – to make payments on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Some of the companies working with this business model in Africa include Azuri Technologies, M-KOPA,M-PAYG, PEG Africa and BBOXX. The penetration of mobile phones in Africa even to a person living in remote areas have made this system a success. This coupled with a large population without access to electricity and the development of mobile money transfer platforms have worked to give PAYG solar firms a fertile ground to do business. World Bank reports show that more than 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity. But even as Africa boasts a thriving PAYG solar business model, Renewables Global Status 2018 at the same time raises concerns over overall growth in renewable power capacity on the continent. “Renewable power capacity growth is concentrated in a limited number of countries in Africa,” reads the report in part. Non-hydropower renewable power capacity inAfrica grew an estimated 9% overall in 2017. The top countries for cumulative non-hydropower renewable capacity were South Africa, Egypt and Kenya.South Africa was the only country worldwide to bring new CSP capacity online in 2017. In summary, says the report, the year 2017 was another record-breaking one for renewable energy, characterised by the largest ever increase in renewable power capacity, falling costs, increases in investment and advances in enabling technologies. But very importantly, this development cannot be said of all countries in the world. Some have made big advances while others are lagging

Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar firms are thriving in Africa raising about USD 260 million in capital in 2017,

This development cannot be said of all countries in the world. Some have made big advances while others are lagging behind. 28

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / October 2018 Issue

FEATURE

DP World mulls major logistics hub in Mali Global port operator DP World has signed a 20-year concession with Mali to build and operate a 1000-hectare modern logistics hub outside of Bamako,CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem has said. behind. The multimodal logistics platform, Mali Logistics Hub (MLH), will have inland container depots (ICD) and Container Freight Stations (CFS) that will facilitate the import and export of goods. The Mali Logistics Hub will be located on the main road corridor from Dakar, Senegal to Bamako and close to the Dakar – Bamako rail line and will be capable of handling 300,000 TEU (twentyfoot equivalent unit), 4 million tons of bulk and general cargo. The first phase of the project, with an estimated initial investment of $50 million, will include an inland container depot and container freight station facility that will support the growth of the Malian economy by streamlining the import and export of goods. Construction is expected to start in 2019 and is to take approximately 18 months to complete. DP World will also provide the Republic of Mali with three locomotive trains to boost cargo & passenger traffic along the Bamako-Dakar rail system. Furthermore, the Mali logistics hub will significantly reduce processing times for products entering the Malian market as part of efforts to reduce obstacles to trade and economic development. DP World will also implement its online paperless facilitation platform to accelerate the movement of goods as part of the agreement. The concession agreement was signed in Dubai on Monday by Suhail Al Banna, Chief executive Officer and Managing Director, DP World Middle East and Africa and Moulaye Ahmed Boubacar, Minister of Equipment and Transport, the Republic of Mali, in the attendance of Malian and DP World officials. DP World Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said: “The Malian market is expected to grow over the next two decades and is driven by a robust economic

and population growth. Thus, the Mali Logistics Hub is much needed and will provide the country with a logistics platform that aims to facilitate the import and export of goods via the Port of Dakar, which is operated by DP World. “DP World’s investment will significantly cut processing times for goods and thus facilitate trade. We are committed to enabling trade in the region and helping local businesses and people prosper, and look forward to working together.” Republic of Mali Minister of Equipment and Transport Moulaye Ahmed Boubacar said: “We are excited to partner with DP World on this project. The Mali Logistics Hub will dramatically improve the cost and time of trade for Mali. The project will provide us with a first-class logistics facility comparable to global standards and will be the largest in terms of capacity. “We are confident that with DP World as a partner we will be able to meet the expectations of our people, traders and exporters to have access to more markets and to bring more efficiency and cost effectiveness to international trade.

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Construction challenges in South Africa

The project also gives the Republic of Mali the opportunity to be connected to global trade lanes, and to speed up access and transport in and out of the country.â&#x20AC;? The South AfSouthSouth Arican property market is oversupplied leading to more competition for fewer projects in the construction industry. Nationally vacancies in the office market exceed ten percent and the developer-led retail market continues to slow. Meanwhile, market insiders suggest that the residential market will be more resilient than in the recent past but will remain relatively flat. The figures do not look that bright. South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) recorded the national vacancy rate at 11.2 percent in the final quarter of 2017, with rental growth at 2 percent. The economics consultancy Medium Term Forecasting Associates projected an average 6.1 percent increase year on year in construction tender pricing. Meanwhile, SAPOA research indicated a fourth consecutive quarter of slowing growth in respect of trading performance in the retail sector. This highlights the difficulty in reaching the sort of numbers on viability for developers that would attract capital to new projects. Tendering is currently very keen in the commercial construction market, due to a downward trend in active new projects since 2015 and the number of planned projects stalling over several months at feasibility stage. Many professional practices in South African have reported a tough trading environment with projects being shelved by developers in the past year. The picture isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t universally poor, some locations are

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / October 2018 Issue

bucking the trend. Cape Town recorded the lowest office vacancy rate of the major centres, while Sandton, within the Johannesburg Municipality, now accounts for roughly a third of national office development. Factors that are depressing activity in the market include political uncertainty with the ruling political party and other parties promoting land expropriation without compensation. This understandably unsettles the entire real estate sector. As always with the South African story it is not all bad news. The appointment of the business-minded Cyril Ramaphosa as the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new president has created cautiously optimistic sentiment amongst the South African public, property investors and foreign investors alike. The clampdown on fraud and corruption at all levels over the past several months has also contributed to positive sentiment. However, uncertainty regarding our political stability remains. While few developers are rushing to break ground on major new developments, due to oversupply in the market, there is an element of positivity among larger developers that was absent in 2017. This content is part of the International construction market survey 2018

KZ ha gi

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KZN roofing company harnesses training to give back With an ethos underpinned by skill level, work ethic, accountability and relationship building, management at GWR Roofing have initiated an on-the-job mentorship programme to give high-potential roofing candidates a leg up into the industry. According to Andrew Gove, Director at GWR Roofing, “In a field as specialised as roofing, our staff are our most valuable asset and it is a priority for us to develop, train and create opportunities for them to not only improve their lives and enrich the communities from which they hail, but to keep improving the quality of workmanship we offer our clients.” “Limited avenues for training in the roofing and carpentry sectors in South Africa impact on the talent pool that feeds the roofing industry. As such, we took it upon ourselves to institute an in-house training programme to develop our own staff and extend training and mentorship opportunities to high-potential individuals from outside our business who are looking to build a career in the industry,” says Gove. A hand up, not a handout One such candidate is Sihle Dikaneng, a young man from Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal, who was studying a diploma in engineering. With a firm interest in building a career in the roofing sector, he contacted the Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA), the professional body for the engineered timber construction industry, who put him in touch with GWR Roofing. “Sihle has since joined one of our teams in a junior capacity, where he will receive training, learn the ropes in a very hands-on way and earn his way up the ranks in our team,” comments Gove. “As part of this apprenticeship, theoretical content derived from Volume 1 and 2 of the ITC-SA’s Roof Erectors Handbook is taught, on-site training is conducted and the ITC-SA examinations must be successfully completed. The aim is to have Sihle running his own team on site, installing roofs and having them signed off by an ITC-SA Inspector,” he adds. While Sihle is undergoing training in both theoretical and practical aspects of the roofing trade, he will also undergo in-house training in marketing as well as financial and operational basics in order to gain a fundamental understanding of how a business operates and how to manage an organisation successfully, benefitting from the same values that underpin GWR Roofing. “I believe that through working for GWR Roofing and observing how we operate, we will instill a healthy level of pride in workmanship and, hand-in-hand with the trainee, foster a sense of achievement through hard work,” remarks Gove. A boost for business, industry and the economy Gove asserts that while mentorship certainly carries a measure of altruism, it also comes with many benefits to the host company, which extend to the wider industry as well. “Mentorship and training represent key social responsibilities for us as a South African company, but they also lend equity to the organisation and brand, and support our own marketing efforts; an automatic payback and investment for our business.” “Mentorship serves as a dynamic community ‘payback’ that will foster goodwill as GWR Roofing releases reputable, skilled artisans and business owners back into the community. The expectation is that the employee will return to the business world and their community not only with an enhanced skill set, but with the mindset of paying it forward,”

he adds. While mentorship is not devoid of any challenges, like time, money, logistics and mentee commitment, the benefits of such programmes have far-reaching implications for the roofing industry as a whole. “Mentorships can help improve the quality and skill level of people doing roof installations and will hopefully put an end to sub-standard workmanship and resultant wastage of resources,” Gove notes, adding, “By training individuals in the trade, we can also attract talent to the industry; that is people who have the aptitude to take their trade to the next level and become entrepreneurs. This will go a long way to boost standards in the industry, improve on the quality of workmanship, benefitting the whole value chain, from the truss manufacturers and erectors, to industry associations and, importantly, the consumer.” “While there are many positives associated with private companies, like ours, engaging in mentorship programmes, a formalised apprenticeship programme, with proper engagement from the public sector, is what South Africa needs. There are so many people eager to work as roofers, but a very small minority with the necessary skills and training. On an economic level, a formalised programme could serve to regulate wages in the industry, boost job creation, create an optimal environment for more entrepreneurial activity and even secure sustainable funding for structured mentorships,” he says. GWR Roofing is passionate about the way it operates and believes that if individuals can onboard values of responsibility and business ethos supported by strong relationships and excellent service, they cannot but thrive commercially and reputationally. “It is possible for us to build an industry where individuals can work together as suppliers and service providers and still be competitive; when pricing is no longer the driving factor for winning business, the entire industry and workforce will make gains,” says Gove. He concludes, “At GWR Roofing, we believe in building assets that last. By engaging with individuals like Sihle who show great promise, we are committed to building strong foundations in skills training and development for a more robust, well-equipped roofing sector with a sustainable future that holds commercial benefits for all.” Gordon Gove, GWR Roofing Director, is a qualified training facilitator, assessor and moderator, having been closely involved with the preparation and presentation of South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) accredited financial training courses. It is the company’s aim to develop and access accreditation for the Vocational Certificate, ‘Carpentry and Roof Work’ as laid out by the National Department of Higher Education and Training Courses at NQF levels 2, 3 and 4. Individuals who wish to apply for GWR Roofing’s mentorship programme should hold a Grade 12 certificate, have a good level of English and ideally have graduated from a specialised roofing carpentry course or similar. www.cceonlinenews.com

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Senegal’s Taiba N’Diaye wind power project set for construction

Construction will shortly begin at Taiba N’Diaye to deliver 158.7MW of clean, reliable energy, increasing Senegal’s power generation by 15% Lekela’s social investment programme in Senegal is also underway, with the project committing up to $20m towards creating sustainable livelihoods in the local community

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / October 2018 Issue

Lekela, the renewable power generation company that delivers utilityscale projects across Africa, today announces that it has successfully reached financial close on its Taiba N’Diaye wind power project in Senegal. Construction will shortly begin on the country’s first utility-scale

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wind farm – delivering up to 158.7MW of muchneeded clean, reliable, and competitively-priced energy to the rapidly expanding local grid. Once the project is fully operational in less than two years’ time, it will provide over 450,000 MWh of energy per year for over 2 million people. Situated 70 km north of Dakar, the project, which will operate under the name Parc Eolien Taiba N’Diaye, will consist of 46 Vestas wind turbines, each able to produce 3.45MW. It forms a critical component of the Government of Senegal’s strategy to increase clean electricity production, diversify the country’s energy mix, and ensure affordability. The project will save over 300,000 tonnes of CO2 emission into the atmosphere per year. As part of Lekela’s strategy to create long-term value for the communities in which it operates, an extensive social investment programme in Taiba N’Diaye has begun. The project is expected to contribute up to US$20m to the local community over the life of the wind farm. The core focus of this programme is to create sustainable livelihoods for communities by improving agriculture and providing vocational training opportunities for youth. Initiatives to boost the local region’s mango economy and to increase IT resources in schools are already underway, with more programmes in the pipeline. During peak construction, up to 400 employment opportunities will be created, developing important skills and knowledge in the local community and enabling improved employment prospects. Chris Ford, Chief Operating Officer at Lekela said, “This is a major milestone for Senegal, and for Lekela. As the first utility-scale wind power project in the country, Taiba N’Diaye forms a critical component of Senegal’s clean energy strategy. “The project will create an impact that lasts for generations.

We have many people to thank in getting to this point, not least the communities, partners and stakeholders who we’ve worked closely with in recent months. Taiba N’Diaye is just one of several Lekela projects currently in operation, construction or development. At present, the company’s pipeline consists of over 1,300 megawatts across projects in Egypt, Ghana and South Africa, as well as Senegal.” Chris Antonopoulos, Chief Executive Officer at Lekela added, “Taiba N’Diaye is the latest milestone in our plan to offer best-in-class delivery of clean energy projects across Africa. The demand for competitively-priced clean power is growing daily across the continent. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are quick to build and use natural resources that are abundant in many African countries, rather than relying on importing costly fossil fuels. The challenge is bringing together the technical, financial and development expertise required to turn these opportunities into reality. Lekela has the right blend of skills and experience to offer best-in class delivery of clean energy projects like this. As today’s milestone demonstrates, getting the mix right can generate lasting benefits for communities and governments.” Financing has been provided by OPIC, the US Government’s development finance institution and EKF, Denmark’s Export Credit Agency. MIGA, the international financial institution provided political risk insurance, and Power Africa also supported the project’s development.

400 jobs will be created during the construction stage www.cceonlinenews.com

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Concrete waterproofing

Concrete is porous and, if not waterproofed, absorbs water, waterborne contaminants and chemicals that can cause deterioration. lf you want to protect your concrete and ensure it has a long, serviceable life, waterproofing is essential. But how? What’s the best method and the best material

o make concrete really waterproof- which means both preventing water passage and resisting hydrostatic pressure — you can waterproof from the positive (exterior) side, negative (interior) side or from within the concrete itself (integral systems). Although the most widely used positive-side technology is sheet membrane waterproofing, its failures and limitations are also common and costly. Since the 1980s, many construction projects around the globe have used integral crystalline admixtures to waterproof concrete. Integral systems block water passage from any direction by working from the inside out, making the concrete itself the water barrier. It can be difficult to keep up with advancements in both membranes and crystalline admixtures, and there have been substantial advancements in both technologies. Here’s a summary that can help make the choice more clear.

Sheet membrane systems

Cold-applied polymer-modified bitumen is a sheet membrane composed of polymer materials compounded with asphalt and attached to a polyethylene sheet. The polymer is integrated with the asphalt to create a more viscous and less temperature-sensitive elastic material compared to asphalt on its own. These sheets are self-adhering and eliminate the harmful toxins typically associated with asphalt adhesion. They also increase tensile strength, resistance to acidic soils, resilience, self—healing and bond ability. Despite such advancements, disadvantages persist. Installation can be challenging as membranes require sealing, lapping, and finishing of seams at the corners, edges and between sheets. Additionally, sheet membranes must be applied to a smooth finish without voids, honeycombs or protrusions. As the membrane can puncture and tear during backfilling, protection boards must also be installed. ln spite of all these drawbacks, sheet membranes have been the industry norm in waterproofing for many years — they still hold the majority of the market share. Their continued use is due to impact resistance, toughness and overall durability compared to other membrane options.

Liquid-applied membranes Liquid-applied membranes

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / October 2018 Issue

Liquid-applied membranes can be applied with a brush, spray, roller, trowel or squeegee, and usually contain urethane or polymeric asphalt (hot- or coldapplied) in a solvent base. These membranes are usually applied on the positive side of cured concrete and have high elastomeric properties. More recent technologies have also made negative-side applications possible.

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materials or repellents because they have no ability to seal cracks and joints. Concrete under hydrostatic pressure requires additional waterproofing methods to protect it from damage and deterioration. Water repellents are also known as ‘hydrophobic’. These products typically come in liquid form and include oils, hydrocarbons, stearates or other long-chain fatty acid derivatives. Although hydrophobic systems may perform satisfactorily for damp—proofing, they are less successful at resisting liquid under hydrostatic pressure. Induced stresses cause cracking in any concrete, which creates pathways for water passage. So the effectiveness of water repellents is highly dependent on the concrete itself. Sheet membrane systems Successful waterproofing with liquid-applied membranes depends on proper thickness and uniform application. They call for skilled, experienced labour to apply them, a clean and dry substrate —which can often be a construction environment challenge — a protection layer before backfilling, properly cured concrete to avoid problems with adhesion and blistering and, on horizontal applications, a subslab. Liquid-applied membranes deteriorate when exposed to UV radiation and cannot withstand foot traffic. The liquids themselves also contain toxic and hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although liquid—applied membranes work well on projects with multiple plane transitions, intricate geometric shapes and protrusions, they are typically only used when prefabricated sheets do not work.

Admixtures

For the past three decades, a new type of waterproofing has been used around the globe. These integral admixture systems are added at the batching plant or on-site and react chemically within the concrete. Instead of forming a barrier on the positive or negative side of concrete, they turn the concrete itself into a water barrier. Integral concrete waterproofing systems can be densifiers, water repellents or crystalline admixtures. Densifiers react with the calcium hydroxide formed in hydration, creating another by-product that increases concrete density and slows water migration. They are typically not characterised as waterproofing

Crystalline admixtures

Crystalline-based systems typically come in a dry, powdered form and are hydrophilic in nature. Unlike their hydrophobic counterparts, crystalline systems actually use available water to grow crystals inside concrete, effectively closing off pathways for moisture that can damage concrete. They block water from any direction because the concrete itself becomes the water barrier. The crystalline formula contains no VOCs and can be completely recycled when demolition occurs. Additionally, crystalline admixtures offer installation advantages. Unlike traditional membrane waterproofing, which tends to be labour—intensive and expensive, crystalline admixtures can be shipped in dissolvable, pulpable bags that are thrown into the concrete batch during mixing. This speeds up the construction schedule and decreases labour costs by combining steps with concrete placing. Integral crystalline waterproofing systems should not be used in applications under constant movement. During the crystallisation process, crystals align in a three-dimensional array that breaks when subjected to excessive movement. Areas that require flexibility and face recurring movement- such as plaza decks or rooftops – would be better waterproofed another way.

Selecting right product

Efficiency is the key to success in the construction industry and selecting the right concrete waterproofing product for the job can make or break a project’s timeline. Concrete waterproofing manufacturers are working more closely than ever with contractors to understand the unique needs of their project, and ensure they have the right technology to protect their structures.

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Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / October 2018 Issue

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www.cceonlinenews.com

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Why consumers need to research before undertaking construction projects A recent segment on South Africa’s institutional Sunday evening investigative television show, Carte Blanche, shed light on the financial and emotional devastation left in the wake of shoddy – and, by all accounts, illegal – timber frame building practices by a local contractor.

The Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA), South Africa’s watchdog for the engineered timber construction sector, weighs in. Thanks to its range of advantages and strong appeal to the homeowner and property developer looking for a greener, legitimately sustainable option for building, timber frame construction is experiencing a notable upswing on the global stage, with similar movement at home in South Africa. Bigger-picture thinkers are preoccupied with climate change and sustainability when it comes to the traditionally carbon intensive activity of construction and are often pleased to come into contact with timber frame building, which, when executed correctly, effortlessly addresses and allays these merited concerns about environmental impact and makes for aesthetically pleasing constructions. “The benefits of timber construction are numerous and bring great value to any construction project,” says Werner Slabbert Jnr, Director on the board of the ITC-SA. He adds, “Which is why it is very disconcerting to hear about instances of shoddy workmanship in the industry, as was presented in a recent Carte

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / October 2018 Issue

Blanche episode exposing the severe malpractice of a local contractor in delivering modular timber structures to clients who expected to receive beautiful timber homes carrying all the benefits of building with timber. Instead, in the various cases presented, the structures were either not safe for occupation, badly incomplete, not delivered at all or had to be condemned and sometimes even demolished.” “While every type of construction trade has its unscrupulous builders and ‘fly-by-nights’, the timber construction sector must work double-time to guard its reputation due to misconceptions around the material and a lack of awareness with some aspects of the trade and general public around its suitability for a host of construction applications. “Stories such as the one aired on Carte Blanche and the level of workmanship exposed, for which the contractor failed to take any responsibility, are a blight on the reputation of the timber – and general – construction sector in South Africa and impacts negatively on the many contractors who do their work ethically and above board; it goes a long way to fuel mistrust in our industry and in the tools we use to do our work,” he says.

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Lessons learnt While the outcomes for the plaintiffs, resulting from the contractor’s inferior workmanship and business ethics to match, were distressing, they represent a sobering learning opportunity for both the trade and consumer. “In one example, the house plans had been approved and the engineer had signed off on these, but the structure was not built accordingly or in line with National Building Regulations,” says Slabbert. “Built to standard (SANS 10082), a timber frame structure is as safe, strong and durable as any other structure, but this has to reflect in the actual construction as well as in the plans; intent to build correctly has no bearing on the final product. In this case, the engineer admitted that he had signed off without reviewing the corrected work and subsequently withdrew his certificate. Once an engineer issues a certificate, it cannot be withdrawn. It is the responsibility of the engineer to inspect and assure structural stability of a structure before it is signed off,” he adds. “Structural work should have been reviewed as soon as the floor and wall structures were in place, and corrections should have been duly implemented. This should typically take place around three weeks into the project; if this had been the case, the outcome for the consumer would have been far better,” Slabbert notes, adding, “In terms of the Engineering code of conduct, an engineer may only undertake work which their education, training and experience have rendered them competent to perform and which is within the category of their registration. The engineer is to ensure that any work approved or certified by them has been reviewed or inspected to the extent necessary to confirm the correctness of the approval or certification.” He remarks, “ITC-SA-registered Engineer members carry such education, training and experience in timber frame construction and sign a code of conduct that commits them to high standards in their products and service delivery. This gives a prospective client the peace of mind that all inspections and certificates are valid, accurate and performed timeously by the correct competent role players.” Amanda Obbes, General Manager of the ITC-SA, comments, “There are many misconceptions among some role players about the relevant responsibilities and accountability of each function in the building process. The same is true within the ranks of some professional practitioners and contractors in the built environment about their involvement up to project completion in ensuring the conditions of the regulations are met.” “The municipal building control office relies on the knowledge and integrity of the professional team which designs, oversees and, in the final instance, inspects the structures to ensure conformance to the regulations by issuing a certificate of compliance. It is only once all necessary certificates have been received that an occupational certificate may be issued,” she says. A red flag for quality In tough economic times, it is tempting to make decisions based on pricing. Slabbert cautions, “Don’t go for the cheapest quotes when enlisting the services of a timber frame builder. Timber construction should be seen as an investment and not a cheap alternative. You can bargain on a timber frame home pricing in at about the same as a brick and mortar home built to the same standard; anything significantly lower should be treated with caution.” A safeguard in timber construction Obbes confirms that the projects that went wrong would have seen very different outcomes if an ITC-SA-accredited Timber Frame Builder member, trained and monitored by the Institute in this specialized field of timber construction, had

been enlisted. Engaging the services of an unscrupulous timber frame builder opens up many avenues for the consumer to quite literally pay the price for shoddy workmanship. In the event that construction is non-compliant, the project and builder are not registered with the NHBRC and the timber frame builder holds no accreditation with a professional body, like the ITC-SA, the consumer will have no recourse and may have to resort to sourcing and paying for private legal counsel should they wish to pursue the case. “As a professional body recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), the ITC-SA must fulfil a number of duties in the line of creating and maintaining standards in the industry through regulating its membership, driving skills development and training, and ensuring its members comply with statutory requirements for professional membership, which can be withdrawn should the member in question be found to be in contravention of the Institute’s Code of Conduct,” Obbes says. “The ITC-SA has the intent to protect the public interest in relation to the services provided by its members and the associated risks. As such, the role of the ITC-SA is to ensure consumer protection in the use of timber engineered products in contracts entered into with the ITC-SA membership and to regulate the professional conduct of its members,” she adds. “As devastating as the consequences were for some of the homeowners in this instance, consumer education and research could have been a game-changer. If a client is empowered through education and research prior to embarking on a substantial investment such as this, they would have had the knowledge and confidence to enforce key aspects of the process at the necessary stages and could be instrumental in limiting damages and preserving their finances,” comments Slabbert. “Consumers need only contact the ITC-SA to find out what the correct processes are surrounding timber frame construction and they will spot any red flags very early on in the project through the A19 inspection process and engineering service. Consumers are urged to empower themselves by doing their homework before they take on any construction project, enlist the services of an ITC-SA-accredited timber frame member which will come with peace of mind and professional indemnity, and always see very low pricing as a red flag. Trust your gut when something doesn’t feel right and talk to the experts at the ITC-SA who are there to assist consumers in making the right choice when it comes to timber construction,” says Slabbert, concluding, “Timber frame building remains highly competitive in the construction arena and, executed correctly and in line with National Building Regulations, ticks all the boxes for the homeowner and property developer looking for a solid, reliable, sustainable and beautiful building option that lasts.” About the Institute for Timber Construction (ITC-SA) The ITC-SA was established more than 40 years ago to regulate the engineered timber roof structure industry and to provide design, manufacturing, erection, inspection and certification for compliance with inter alia SANS 10400 and SANS 10082, where engineering rational designs are applicable. The ITC-SA is a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) accredited professional body with a professional membership and therefore has to comply with the requirements as set out in the National Qualifications Framework Act (NQF Act 67 of 2008 – as amended). The ITC-SA is also a Recognised Voluntary Association in terms of the Engineering Profession Act, 2000 (Act 46 of 2000). In 2014, the Institute for Timber Frame Builders (ITFB) was incorporated into the ITC-SA to ensure a better and more uniform representation of the timber engineered practitioners in the built environment. www.cceonlinenews.com

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Top 10 Construction Apps for 2018

These are the top 10 Construction Apps for 2018 — able to accomplish everything from bidding and drone management to calculations and measurements for contractors and mobile workers. How can these apps improve your business? Each of these construction apps is No. 1 in its specialty. They can revolutionize communication, collaboration, and profitability for you and your crew. Read more about the features and benefits as well as customer reviews. How were the apps chosen? Get the full methodology behind our research over on our FAQ page. 1. JobFLEX Best for Estimates and Bids JobFLEX is an estimating and bid management app that delivers estimates on the spot, with or without a cellular connection. Create customizable forms to preview, email, and print. Being able to quickly and easily create estimates for customers is critical. The difference between gaining a new client and losing a potential job often hinges on how quickly and professionally you can turn an estimate around. With JobFLEX, there’s no tech savvy needed. Deliver estimates on the spot, with or without a cellular 40

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / October 2018 Issue

connection. Create and edit customizable forms, then just drag and drop line item costs, materials, and photos. When you’re finished, preview, email, or print estimates with just one tap. According to recent research by Software Advice, this could help you get your bids in 20 percent faster and with four times the accuracy! Features Create estimates with or without Wi-Fi/a cell signal Easily build editable materials list Include photos in estimates for reference and a professional touch Use customizable formats for each estimate Preview, email, or print estimates with just a tap Get access to free, unlimited support With JobFLEX, we can generate quotes in the field in just a few minutes (it used to take an hour), offer customers package options, and our entire staff can access project files from anywhere. It helped to increase conversions by over 15 percent.Leo V., GreenFIT Homes Benefits Save time: With easily accessible, drag-anddrop materials lists, and customizable formats available at just a touch, creating an estimate

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takes a fraction of the time. Save paper: Not only do paper estimates lend themselves to messy handwriting and crossed-out changes, but they slow you down. Legible, editable estimates inspire confidence in your customers. Secure more jobs: Speed is of the essence when it comes to bids and securing jobs. Customers are far more likely to accept and sign on a bid when it comes back quickly, in a format that looks professional and contains all the necessary information in writing. Pricing: Free trial available | $10/month Basic subscription | $20/month Pro subscription Download: Google Play 2. Red Cross First Aid Best for Safety Red Cross First Aid puts essential first-responder skills at your fingertips. Get videos and step-bystep instructions on how to care for broken bones, strains, sprains, and more. There’s nothing more important than safety on the job site. Unfortunately, that’s because it’s one of the most dangerous industries to work in. The “fatal four” – the four leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry – are responsible for more than 500 construction worker deaths each year.Knowing how to handle those injuries quickly and correctly on the job site could be the difference between life and death. That’s where the Red Cross First Aid app comes in. With videos, quizzes, and step-by-step instructions, the app is intended to help anyone handle unexpected emergencies with confidence. Features Easy-to-use Spanish language toggle for Spanish-speaking workers. Step-by-step illustrated instructions and videos to help you through every emergency scenario. A 911 integration means you can call for emergency services anytime, directly from the app. Interactive quizzes to test your lifesaving knowledge. Additional safety tips for everything from heatwaves to chemical exposure to help you prepare for emergencies. Quickly and easily locate the nearest hospital using your current location. Accidents happen. The official American Red Cross First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. Get the app and be prepared for what life brings.American Red Cross Benefits Increase safety on the job site: In the event of an emergency, every second counts. And when professional help is more than a few minutes away, you can rest assured that every worker on your job site can perform basic (and potentially lifesaving) first aid. Prepare for severe weather: Severe winter weather and summer heatwaves are a real threat to those in the construction industry. With tips and tricks to prepare for extreme heat or cold, your workers can work more safely – no matter the season. Get help fast: Use your current location to find the hospital nearest to your job site – get directions, call the hospital directly, or summon emergency services. Pricing: Free Download: Google Play | App Store | Text GETFIRST to 90999 3. DroneDeploy Best for Mapping Drone Deploy can help you survey your site with the help of 3-D models. Get measurements for things like distance, area, and volume.

The faster you and your crew complete new jobs, the faster everyone gets paid – and the more jobs you can take on! Things like surveying and mapping the job site are unavoidable and time-intensive tasks. With DroneDeploy, you can survey your site accurately in a fraction of the time, with drone maps and 3D models. Quickly and easily collect aerial data to improve and streamline your site planning. Get instant measurements for things like distance, area, and volume. And see a bird’s eye view of your project as it progresses over time. Then effortlessly share your progress with your team members to keep your project on task. Features Quickly and easily create flight plans from any device. Generate accurate contour maps in minutes. Create high-resolution point clouds and combine them with BIMs to see at a glance how your project is coming along. Share maps and point clouds with team members and stakeholders with just one click. Access training materials and customer support to help you get the most out of DroneDeploy. We’ve created a much more efficient process. We can literally take weeks out of the schedule, our projects are much higher quality than before, and they’re safer. Jim Gorrie, CEO Brasfield & Gorrie LLC Benefits Save time: Survey and map your job site with ease! DroneDeploy shaves weeks off your project timeline – which means you can take on more jobs. Increase accuracy: Gather accurate measurements immediately, create contour maps to better understand your job site, and create high-resolution cloud points as you go to keep your project running smoothly. Stay on track: Effortlessly share your maps and point clouds with your team and stakeholders to keep everyone on task and in the loop. Pricing: Free trials available | Free Explorer subscription | $99/month Pro subscription | $299/month Business subscription Download: Google Play | App Store 4. e-Builder Best for Project Management e-Builder is the construction project management tool that features real-time performance dashboards. Cut down on project costs and increase productivity on the job site. Keeping track of multiple jobs across multiple job sites can be a difficult task, to say the least. Each site comes with its own costs, schedules, and documents – and each project its own delivery process, including planning, design, procurement, construction, and operations. Fortunately, for construction owners, managers, and foremen, there’s e-Builder, the construction project management software that promises to cut project costs by 4 percent and increase productivity up to three times on your job sites. With real-time project performance dashboards at your fingertips, e-Builder makes it easy to manage multiple projects, reduce cycle times, and collaborate with your entire team. Features Access across all platforms, including mobile apps, so you can manage your projects on the go – even off the grid. Customizable forms enable you to capture the data your projects need quickly and efficiently. A drag-and-drop workflow manager helps you remove potential bottlenecks and get approvals quickly. Real-time business intelligence reporting puts you back in control of your operations and helps you make more educated business decisions. A huge benefit of e-Builder is transparency, not only www.cceonlinenews.com

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with cost but also with processes and getting approvals to go through quickly.Susan Medeiros, Cumberland Farms Benefits Save time: e-Builder helps your team work smarter and faster, so you can take on more jobs, which means more money in your bottom line. Save money: With accurate job and labor forecasts at your fingertips, you won’t encounter any costly surprises down the line. And when you can more accurately predict costs, you save money. Work together: Collaboration is essential when it comes to the productivity of your projects. e-Builder makes it easy to collaborate effectively with owners, designers, contractors, and suppliers. When everyone is on the same page, your project runs smoothly. Pricing: Request a demo Download: Google Play | App Store 5. DEWALT Mobile Pro Best Mobile Tool DEWALT Mobile Pro is a full-scale construction calculation and reference tool. DEWALT features nine additional, free add-on calculations, so what you need is always a tap away. Our teachers always told us that math class would come in handy one day – and workers in the construction industry certainly know that’s true! No matter what the job, correct calculations are pivotal to getting it done right. And a simple calculator just won’t cut it. Enter DEWALT Mobile Pro, the calculation and reference tool for construction professionals. The Mobile Pro app comes stock with the construction calculators and reference materials you need to get the job done quickly, easily, and correctly – every single time. Features A fully functional construction calculator plus nine free add-on calculations. Access to helpful reference materials (com42

plete with examples and illustrations). Hundreds of additional add-on calculations tailored to your trade. Get easy access to previous calculations with a stored history. Easily share calculations via email. Save your favorite calculations for quick access. Developed by a brand you already know and trust! I have used many construction calculators, but this one is different. This app is simple to follow and follows the logic and steps I use each day when I am in the field working through problems that rely on math to solve. I love the overview and examples that are provided because they are easy to follow and understand.Chris, Remodeling Contractor Benefits Work smarter: The DEWALT Mobile Pro app provides instant answers to critical job site questions, so you can get the job done quickly and correctly the first time. Tailored to your business: With trade-specific add-ons, the DEWALT Mobile Pro app is a must-have tool for absolutely every tool belt. Learn new skills: Along with hundreds of construction calculations, the Mobile Pro app also grants you access to handy eBooks for additional on-the-job-site resources, so you’ll always be a construction pro. Pricing: Free | In-app purchases available Download: Google Play | App Store | Amazon 6. TrueLook Photography Best for Photography TrueLook Photography uses drones to take high-res aerial photos of job sites. Drones are operated by professional pilots, and photos received can be organized in-app by project. It’s not always easy to make a complete and accurate assessment of your project’s progress without a view from the top. TrueLook uses drones to take aerial photographs of job sites. The app deploys drones manned by professional pilots who are trained to photograph and video your work. In days, your app will be populated with 20 or more high-res aerial images and an edited video for you and your customers to review. For construction projects, the best beforeand-after photos are taken from above. Features A smart camera interface for easy photo review.

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / October 2018 Issue

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Zoom in or out on images captured to get a detailed look at your sites. Organize images according to projects. Live video, time lapses, and albums in-app. We’re dealing with a structure that’s a quarter of a mile wide and more than 400 feet tall. The 18x zoom on the webcam does a great job of bringing in distant details and letting us see activity anywhere on the bridge.Jeff Herzer, Technology Project Manager, HNTB Benefits Photos from every angle: With multiple camera types to choose from, your project is always captured in the best possible light, from the best possible angle. Experts in the cockpit: You’ll work with expert pilots nationwide for convenient and efficient work wherever you are. Support when you need it: Excellent customer service means no question will be left unanswered. Pricing: Free app | Request a free quote for drone photography Download: Google Play | App Store 7. Bridgit Closeout Best for Task Management Bridgit Closeout is a cloud-based task management solution for assigning work, reporting, and note-taking. With the Closeout app, task details can be shared across teams. It’s time to streamline the punch list process. For projects big and small, Bridgit Closeout offers a cloud-based task management solution for crews who don’t have hours to spare manually assigning work, reporting problems, and taking unorganized notes. The mobile Closeout app makes it simple for construction managers to quickly share details from their smartphones or tablets. And since it’s all online, everyone involved has the same communication at their fingertips in an instant, no matter which site they’re working at. Cumbersome tasks slowing your team down? Automate it all with Closeout. Features Cloud-based information storage allows everyone on the crew to be informed and included in real-time. Record issues and assign work from a smartphone,

tablet, or desktop so that your attention to detail never falls between the cracks. Customize Closeout for your unique team. With Closeout, you have an evolving list, which is very helpful when you’re at the stage where there could be potential warranty issues. Instead of emailing our owners or the architect, they can log in to Closeout and review the project in near real-time.Nick van den Berg, Buttcon Benefits Custom Coaching: Avoid support lines altogether and speak directly to your Closeout Coach whenever you need assistance. Streamlined sorting: Send Closeout your contacts, floor plans, and location lists, and they’ll do the rest. Reports when you need them: Download .pdf reports and spreadsheets from the Closeout web dashboard. Pricing: Available upon request Download: Google Play | App Store 8. Autodesk BIM 360 Best for Field Management Autodesk BIM 360 is a field management app for tablets. This app enables programs for quality, safety, commissioning, and documentation, including building information management (BIM). It’s a cloud-based collaboration and reporting app that is improving construction management and quality. Autodesk BIM 360 allows teams to produce management programs and store information in one easy-toaccess place. With mobile technology at the construction site, your team is better equipped to organize teams and tackle challenges more efficiently. Features Simple, customizable templates help your construction team easily collaborate and track the quality of a project. Pushpin markers mark and record the exact field location and include details of any issues found in the field. Web-based reporting helps turn data collected in the field into information that assists in management, ensures better safety, and minimizes risk for contractors. Reports and dashboards allow users to easily share

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important to be as mindful as possible in where you get your fuel. Don’t be alarmed by high gas prices next time you roll into a gas station to fuel up. Find the best gas prices closest to your location. Features A Gas Price Map shows you where the least expensive gas is in relation to your location. Ability to enter to win free gas. The more you use the app, the better your chances. Earn points and achievements for your involvement level in the GasBuddy community. Information is updated in real time, meaning you are never late for the low prices. If you’re looking for the absolute best price, GasBuddy can help.David Goldstein, CNN Benefits Find cheap gasoline near you: Wherever you are, GasBuddy can find you the least expensive fuel. Get instant updates from other GasBuddy users: When prices change, you’ll know. Read and create reviews of stations: Keep the best of the best on the radar. Win gas cards: Participate in challenges for your chance to win. Pricing: Free app download

information with everyone on the project and quickly identify trends and measure quality. We’re gaining a competitive edge from doing things better, faster, and at a lower cost. A house that once took 120 days to build now can be built in 60. This is with normal materials and a typical team.Peter Hutten General Manager Van Wijnen Benefits Resolve issues more efficiently: Checklists and issues are more easily managed, and libraries of documents, including models, can be created, managed, and distributed to workers in the field. Track quality: With templates, you can reduce the need to rework aspects of project. Improve safety and project quality: Take advantage of more streamlined inspections and consistent procedures. Manage and improve field workflow and performance: Locate equipment in a model using an iPad, marking any problems or issues with pushpins. Interact with the models for better field management. Pricing: Free Download: Google Play | App Store 9. GasBuddy Best for Logistics GasBuddy saves business owners time and money by finding the least expensive gas for their fleets, using a robust community to report on prices, stations, and distance. In construction, the price of fuel can quickly add up. Since gas is such a huge factor in your bottom line, it’s

Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / October 2018 Issue

Download: Google Play | App Store 10. Canvas Best for Reporting With Canvas, reporting is simple and accessible. You can fill out estimates, forms, inspections, work orders, and audits on mobile devices. Shuffling paper files is time-consuming and cumbersome, but in a matter of minutes, your piles of forms are customized on one platform to streamline processes. Canvas solves the problem of non-customizable forms, illegible handwriting, and low storage space — and it’s completely paperless. Features An App Builder for mobile forms created by you. PDF Designer allows your team to convert forms to PDFs that are customizable and easy to share. Mobile Payments allow you to use a payment functionality in any Canvas app. GPS functions make it easy to find the location of your team or equipment in the field. Barcode Scanning makes it easy to check equipment or inventory. The customer service is outstanding. Canvas is knowledgeable, quick to respond, and always has a solution.Sharon Shope, Service Electric Benefits Speedy processes: Save your company time and money. Integrations made easy: Information is kept in one central location. Mobile forms: No coding necessary View data: Better understand the trends in your business. Pricing: Free app Download: Google Play | App Store This article was first published on Tsheets

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FUTURE AFRICA with MEKA

CRUSHING & CONCRETE BATCHING TECHNOLOGY

Concrete has been a part of our life for centuries. It provides us with shelter, it helps us to control the nature and turn its power into energy resources. However, before that, there was only stone.

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New Cairo and Ismailia Cities of Egypt are built on concrete coming from MEKA plants

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In 1987, MEKA has dedicated itself to provide high quality affordable solutions for shaping the stone and turning materials into concrete.

Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Mali is about to be constructed with MEKA

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Lafarge and Dantata Sawoe choose MEKA to construct roads and residences in Nigeria

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In Ethiopia MEKA is connecting the roads and railways together in East Africa

In nowadays, MEKA is a Leading Professional Enterprise focused on manufacturing of Concrete Plants and Crushing & Screening Equipment. We provide a complete scope of services such as identifying customer’s needs, project planning, design, engineering, manufacturing, quality control, commissioning, personnel training and after-sales support working on 4 modern facilities with over 350 personnel. Africa was always one of the main markets for MEKA. The first concrete plant was installed around 15 years ago in Cameroon. A lot has changed since then. Today there are more than 250 concrete plants and a couple of crushing units running on different important projects, building better cities and infrastructure all around Africa: •

In South Africa Wind Turbines rise with MEKA

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In Algeria MEKA is involved in construction of the

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biggest Mosque ever built in Africa

Branch offices and local dealers in Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Mozambique support all MEKA users in Africa technically. MEKA is a Choice of Many Professionals and a reliable partner you can trust. We do not only offer standard equipment, but also deliver cost-effective solutions to a variety of civil engineering projects no matter how complex they are. Each MEKA Concrete Plant or a Crushing & Screening Unit is the result of 28 years of full dedication, stability and determination. There is therefore a knowledge and care in every detail.

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Crushing & Concrete Batching Technology

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Construction & Civil Engineering Journal / Nov-Dec 2018 Issue