Construction Review Jan/Feb 2023

Mpumalanga wind farm

South Africa's largest to get underway

Drones in construction

Generator maintenance

Geosynthetics for Africa

Painting commerical buildings

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MANAGING EDITOR

Robert Barnes

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

Francis Makari

EDITOR - in - CHIEF

Dennis Ayemba

COUNTRY EDITORS

Uganda - Betty Nabakooza

Nigeria - Boladale Ademiju

South Africa - Jimmy Swira

CON

WRITERS

WRITERS, Pascal Musungu, Anita Anyango, Patrick Mulyungi

WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN

Gerald Oswald

and Marketing Manager

Sales and Marketing Manager

Faith Mburu

ADVERTISING

Kenya: William Mutama, Lilian Khavosa, Joyce Ndamaiyu, Wendy Kinya

South Africa: Thuli Nkosi, Winnie Sentabire, Angeline Ntobeng,

Uganda: Nobert Turiyo, Selina Salumah Namuli

Botswana: Dickson Manyudza, Gerald Mazikana

Ethiopia: Haimanot Tesfaye, Ruth Girma

Tanzania: Tom Kiage

Malawi: Anderson Fumulani

Ghana: Samuel Hinneh, Caleb Donne Hadjah

Zambia: Susan Kandeke

Zimbabwe: Chiedza Chimombe

Rwanda: Collison Lore

Nigeria: Seni Bello

China:Weng Jie

The editor accepts letters and manuscripts for publication from readers all over the world. Include your name and address as a sign of good faith although you may request your name to be withheld from publication. We reserve the right to edit any material submitted .

Send your letters to: info@constructionreviewonline.com

Construction Review is published eleven times a year and is circulated to members of relevant associations, governmental bodies and other personnel in the building and construction industry as well as suppliers of equipment, materials and services in Africa, the Middle and Far East. The editor welcomes articles and photographs for consideration. Material may not be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. 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.

Current Issue

Published by Group Africa Publishing Ltd

Head Office and for all enquiries:

P.O. Box 10109

Nairobi 00100 Kenya, Tel: +254 722525326 +254-208000307

Email: info@groupafricapublishing. com

Uganda Agent Projects Unusual Uganda Ltd.

Jemba Plaza, Luwum St.

Kampala,

ADVERTISING

Kenya: William Mutama, Lilian Khavosa, Fred Okoth

South Africa: Rachel Molapo, Winnie Sentabire, Angeline Ntobeng, Shephard Mthethwa, Jacqui Nyangabyaki

TENT

$1bn rocket launch site for Djibouti

A $1 billion agreement was recently inked by Djibouti and Hong Kong Aerospace Technology to construct a rocket and satellite launch site in Djibouti

Renovating a small apartment

These renovation tips for a small apartment offer you the opportunity to create the space of our dreams or add value for your investment

Troubleshooting a generator

Generators are very important in case of extended power outages. However just like any other machine, generators can malfunction and fail to serve their purpose

Email: ethiopia@groupafricapublishing.com

Ghana Agent Image Consortium

1st Floor, The Ecobank Building, Tesano.

Tel: 233(0)30 223 2728 I 233(0)274807127 I

+233(0)206299159

Fax: 233(0)24 882 8286

Email: ghana@groupafricapublishing.com, Calebhadjah@gmail.com

Kenya Agent Northwest Ventures Ltd

P.O. Box 16414 - 00100

G.P.O

Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: +254 20 2679808

Email: kenya@constructionreviewonline.com, info@northwest.or.ke

Nigeria Agent

Rahma Associates

B23/24, Aishetu Emoewa Plaza, 196, Iju Water Works Road, Ifako Ijaye Lga,Agege, Lagos.

Tel: 234-1-7347860

Email: nigeria@constructionreviewonline.com

Rwanda Agent Kolline & Hemed Inc., B.P. 3328,

Kigali, Rwanda

E-mail: rwanda@constructionreviewonline.com

Zambia Agent

Dayflex Limited, Dedan Kimathi Road, Lusaka, Zambia.

Email: zambia@constructionreviewonline.com

Tanzania Agent: Group Africa Publishing Ltd

tz@constructionreviewonline.com

Dar-es-salaam

Frumecar innovations in digitization for the concrete sector

Making a

The Spanish manufacturer of concrete plants, software and concrete mixers Frumecar continues to bet on innovation and digitization of the sector as a basis for positioning its products in the international market. The result of this commitment to high technology is the incorporation into the market of numerous products and services based on industry 4.0 whose objective is to make it easier for its clients to manage their business. It achieves this with tools that optimize production, commercial and financial processes thanks to the use of automation and digital monitoring solutions and data management in the cloud.

Among the innovations presented this year are the new RealScale weighing measurement control system and the new advanced formula control module within its K2 plant automation system.

RealScale, a system designed to guarantee the correct operation of the weighing sensors in the production of concrete.

Grupel is a 2023 Five Star Brand

Grupel’s Energy grows and gains prominence in the power generators market in Portugal. For the 6th consecutive time, the company was distinguished with the 2023 Five Stars Award.

After a market analysis made with a total of 2257 consumers, the 2023 Five Stars Award distinguished Grupel once again, as it stood out in criteria such as satisfaction, purchase intention or recommendation, another sign of the relevance of the company in the Portuguese market.

This is only possible thanks to the commitment and dedication of the brand's employees, from design to after-sales, who make it increasingly closer to clients (not only in Portugal, but in over 70 countries) and a reference in the sector.

The evaluation established that 47% of the respondents associate Grupel with "quality” and that 59% of them recognize the brand thanks to its communication on the web.

Grupel's overall rating, taking into account the variables mentioned, was 8.18 (out of 10), 3.8% higher than the brand's score in the previous edition and 8.4% compared to the first edition of the Award in which it won (2018).

Werner Pumps provides improves operator safety in rental truck

Werner Pumps has invested in new devices for each of its rental combination jetting and vacuum trucks to improve operator safety in the field.

“Our rental units are often used in tricky conditions and applications, such as for cleaning out blocked sewers or spillage clean-ups,” says Sebastian Werner, MD of Werner Pumps, leading local manufacturer of high-pressure jetting equipment. “This means our operators may need to get into a manhole or an oil pit to get the nozzle to reach where it needs to go, which can be a safety risk.”

Werner explains that the tripods are designed specifically for vertical descent in confined spaces. They have sturdy but lightweight aluminium legs that

lock in the open position automatically and include their own winch system, so there’s no need for a separate pulley / bracket assembly. The hoist attaches directly, making set-up and pack-down quick and easy, and there’s a fall arrestor bracket that can be attached to one of the legs. There’s also a maximum height indicator for ease of use (maximum extension is 2.45m) and the legs are telescopic, meaning they take up less space in the truck once packed down.

“The operator sets up the tripod above the hatch they need to enter, and can be slowly lowered into the hole safely. There is also an accessory pulley attachment that can be fixed to the tripod head, should the operator require tools to be lowered or lifted too,” explains Werner.

IRAQ HVAC R 14 to 16 Nov, 2023

It's been yet another year of reassuring success and confident growth at IRAQ HVAC R.

The must-attend trade fair for Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Urban & Environmental Technologies, Installation System, Water Treatment, and Insulation. Strong of a record international participation in previous terms, the next edition of IRAQ HVAC R will run from 14 to 16 Nov, 2023 at the Erbil International Fair.

Against the backdrop of a successful edition of IRAQ HVAC R, announce the expansion of the show with new co-located event in 2023.

Middle East’s largest sector event will be co-located with the all new. Gathering buyers and manufacturers of construction products from around the world, IRAQ HVAC R also offers a platform to showcase your technology and idea exchange

BuildTech Asia (BTA)

28th to 30th March 2023

BuildTech Asia (BTA) is the leading platform for the building and construction industry in the Asia Pacific region that will transform Asia’s Built Environment, showcasing the latest smart solutions and productive technologies across the entire building life cycle.

The event aims to help industry players accelerate the adoption of digitalised solutions and smart technologies in the key segments of building materials, construction machineries, architectural finishes, facilities management, and productive technology.

An event of Constellar, BuildTech Asia (BTA) is the region’s premiere B2B trade event on Building and Construction Technology,

Nigeria Build Expo 11- 13 July 2023

Nigeria Build Expo: 7th International Construction , Building Materials and Technologies Expo will take place between 11- 13 July 2023 at Land Mark Center Expo Center in Lagos , Nigeria. About the rganisers. Elan Expo was founded in 1997 and now manages over 30 market-leading B2B events in up to 8 countries each year. Headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, it is currently active in Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Morocco, Iran, Iraq, Tanzania and Algeria.

Elan Expo employees over 90 people who are passionate about the communities that they serve and skilled at creating the ideal circumstances for relationships to develop, knowledge to be gleaned and deals to be done by the departments of sales, marketing, B2B, visitor promotions, project, finance and advertising.

Association Partners

Kenya

- Architectural Association of Kenya

- Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya

- Institute of Engineers of Kenya

- Association of Consulting Engineers of - Kenya

- Association of Professional Societies of East Africa APSEA)

- Kenya Property developers Association

- Institution of Surveyors of Kenya

-Town and County Planners Association of Kenya (TCPAK)

South Africa

- ASAQS - SAICE

- South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession

- Khuthaza ( Women for Housing)

- Concrete Manufacturers Association

- Green Building council of SA

- South African Property Owners Association

- Master Builders South Africa

Uganda

Institute of Surveyors of Uganda

Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers (UIPE) &

Uganda society of Architects

Botswana

- Institute of Botswana Quantity Surveyors

Ethiopia

- Association of Ethiopian Architects

- Ethiopian Association of Civil Engineers

- Construction Contractors Association of Ethiopia

Zimbabwe

- Zimbabwe Institute of Quantity Surveyors

- Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers

- The Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe (Cifoz)

Ghana

- Ghana Institute of Engineers

- Architects Registration Council

- Ghana Institute of Surveyors

- Ghana Green Builders Association

- Ghana Institute of Planners

- Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana

Namibia

- Institute of Namibian Quantity Surveyors

- Association of Consulting Engineers of Namibia

Tanzania

- Tanzania Institute of Quantity Surveyors

- Construction Regulation Board (CRB)

- Tanzania’s Registration Board of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (AQSRB)

Nigeria

- Association of Consulting Engineers Nigeria

- Association of Professional Women

Engineers Of Nigeria

- Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria

- The Nigerian Institute of Architects

- American Association of Petroleum

Geologists Africa Region

- Nigeria Society of Engineers

- Nigeria Institute of Architects

- Building and Construction Skilled Artisans

Association of Nigeria (BACSAAN)

Zambia

- Zambia Institute of Architects (ZIA)

- Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors (ABCEC).

Agreement for construction of $1bn rocket and satellite launch site in Djibouti

A $1 billion agreement was recently inked by Djibouti and Hong Kong Aerospace Technology to construct a rocket and satellite launch site in Djibouti. The agreement, which was reached recently and signed by the president of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, and the Chinese company Hong Kong Aerospace Technology, will make way for the construction of the site's infrastructure.

The project will include the construction of port facilities as well as transportation corridors in Djibouti's Northern Obock. This is with an aim of facilitating the arrival of Chinese aerospace materials. President Guelleh has stated that the infrastructure could be completed as soon as 2027.

Ownership of the rocket and satellite launch site in Djibouti

Djibouti will be granted ownership of it when the 30-year co-management agreement with Hong Kong Aerospace Technology ends.

With barely over a million citizens, Djibouti is one of the smallest countries in Africa. However, due to its proximity to the equator, it is an attractive site from which to launch satellites that may benefit from Earth's rotational speed and use less fuel during ascent.

President Guelleh expressed his pleasure to see the country taking part in such a promising technological and energy development initiative.

Experts claim that none of the 54 satellites launched by African countries originated in Africa. This comes after African countries expressed interest in the design as well as the construction of satellites in the past.

After the deal, Djibouti will become the latest African country with an established space program. 14 African countries have successfully launched more than 50 satellites in recent years.

Temidayo Oniosun, managing director of the consultancy Space in Africa, said that the effort will facilitate the launch of the first Africa-made satellite from the African continent.

If the project is successful, it will also have a positive impact on the industry in a number of countries and segments. The project will result in the development of new enterprises. Additionally, it will also result in spinoffs and eventually be crucial to the implementation of a continental space program.

Several African countries are currently developing their space technology. This is because they need to strengthen their economies. Most modern devices, like mobile phones and navigational systems, rely on satellites to function.

Soin-Koru Multi-Purpose Dam in Kenya

Theconstruction of the Soin-Koru Multi-Purpose Dam in Kenya is set to begin in March this year. The project was supposed to have begun sometime last year. This is when an Sh20 billion contract for its implementation was awarded. The contract was awarded to a joint venture between China Jiangxi International Kenya Limited, and China Jiangxi International Economic and Cooperation Company Ltd.

Its implementation, however, could not begin due to delays in the resettlement of people in the project area. The project is located five kilometers or thereabouts upstream of Muhoroni town. This is across the Nyando River, which forms the boundary between Kericho and Kisumu Counties.

The current state of the resettlement issue and compensation of the PAPs

As it stands, the issue has been resolved and the contractor has reportedly begun moving heavy machinery to the project site. Gitonga Mugambi revealed that all those affected by phase one of the project have been compensated. Only those with Settlement Fund Trustee (SFT) loan balances, pending and succession cases, and disputes are re-

maining. Mugambi is the Irrigation Principal Secretary.

Documentation for the second phase of compensation has been processed by the National Land Commission (NLC). It is currently awaiting the transfer of funds from the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA). The latter, according to the PS, has requested Sh2.2bn from the Ministry of Water, Irrigation, and Sanitation. These monies will go towards compensating the farmers.

An overview of the Soin-Koru Dam

The Soin-Koru Dam is proposed to be a zoned rock-fill dam with an impermeable clay core. With a water storage capacity of 93.7 million cubic meters, the dam will comprise a 54m dam embankment with a 1354m crest. The dam embankment will be constructed across Koitatui and Got Alila Hills.

As part of the Soin-Koru Multi-Purpose Dam project, a 72,000m3/day water treatment plant will also be constructed approximately 1km downstream of the dam wall. The project will also involve the construction of a 2.5MW hydropower plant.

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South Africa's largest wind farm, Mpumalanga wind farm, to commence

Constructionof a 900 MW Mpumalanga wind farm, South Africa's largest of its kind, is about to start in the heart of the country's coal industry.

The project will begin with the implementation of its first phase which has a proposed capacity of 155 MW. This is after Seriti Green and Seriti Resources signed a power purchase agreement for this phase. The PPA has a 20-year underpin.

The first phase of the 900 MW Mpumalanga wind farm which spans around 27,000 ha of farmland, will come online in 2025. Over the next three years, construction on the remaining 745 MW also will begin.

According to Peter Venn, CEO of Seriti Green and formerly MD of Windlab, the company expects the turbines to be able to run at a capacity factor of 40%. This implies that it will outperform Eskom's nearby Tutuka power station which runs at an energy availability factor of less than 20%.

Noteworthy, the 900 MW Mpumalanga wind farm will feature 800 MWh of battery storage.

Mpumalanga wind farm to contribute to Seriti Resources' car-

bon neutralization

In a bid to diversify its green energy, Seriti Resources, one of the major coal suppliers to Eskom, through its subsidiary, Seriti Green, finalized an R892 million deal in December 2022. This deal led to the acquisition of the majority of the 4 GW portfolio of wind power and solar power assets owned by Windlab Africa. The company revealed that the majority of the projects would be in South Africa, especially in Mpumalanga which is already home to many of the company's coal assets. Even though there is a lot of doubt regarding investing in wind power in Mpumalanga, Venn believes that the Mpumalanga wind farm project will be fruitful.

Riverside's Glitz Enhanced by The Cube

Nairobi's Riverside Area has continued to attract many premium developers, and there has been a flurry of construction activity in the area in recent years. International developers haven't been left behind.

One of the most recent investors in Riverside is the London Town Group, a UK-based company that specializes in property development, software, automation, clean energy, and energy storage services. The Group has constructed a cutting-edge office development with over 83,000 square feet of lettable space in a 6-story building. There are over 250 parking spaces available.

The Cube development was designed by renowned architects BAA. It provides high-quality office space that is built to international stan-

dards, providing users with a safe, efficient, and adaptable working environment.

Recognizing current trends in construction, where sustainability is increasingly being emphasized, the development has already achieved advanced EDGE Certification, having taken deliberate steps in design to achieve this important accreditation. The Cube reduces energy consumption by 41%, water consumption by 50%, and the energy embodied in materials by 21%. The building has an unrivaled environmental commitment, as evidenced by the following key sustainability features:

Energy Measures

-External Shading Devices

-Higher Thermal Performance Glass

-Energy-Saving Light Bulbs - Internal Spaces

-Energy-Saving Light Bulbs - External Spaces

-Occupancy Sensors in Bathrooms, Conference

Rooms, and Closed Cabins

-Occupancy Sensors in Open Offices

-Solar Photovoltaics

Water Measures

-Low-Flow Faucets in Bathrooms

-Efficient Flush for Water Closets in All Bathrooms

-Water-Efficient Urinals in all Bathrooms

-Water-Efficient Faucets for Kitchen Sinks

Materials

-Floor Slabs - Concrete Filler Slab

-Roof Construction - Concrete Filler Slab

-External Walls - Curtain Walling (Opaque Element)

-External Walls - Stone Blocks - Machine Cut Unpolished

-Internal Walls - Stone Blocks - Machine Cut Unpolished

-Internal Walls - Stone Blocks - Machine Cut Unpolished

-Flooring - Finished Concrete Floor

Other features that make The Cube a business-friendly address include:

-Generous onsite parking with an excellent parking ratio of 3.3:1000 sq. ft and additional free visitors parking.

-Main power connections with 500KVA and 300KVA Backup Generator.

-3 - High speed passenger lifts.

-Highest standards in security incorporating access control to each floor, 24-hour security and provision for CCTV surveillance.

-Provision for Fibre-optic connectivity and full trunking for data/ power/ -voice.

Project Team

Client:

Riverside Towers Ltd

Architects:

BAA Architects

MEP Engineer:

Designmatic Ltd

Structural Engineer:

Civil Engineering Design (K) Ltd

Quantity Surveyor:

Mace YMR

Interior Design Consultant:

Eryll J. Sharma

Main Contractor:

Mahesh and Tirth Construction Ltd

Electricals:

East Africa Infrastructure Services Ltd

Plumbing:

Plumbuild and Engineering Ltd

Façade:

Alufacade Kenya Ltd

HVAC:

Universal Engineering Systems Ltd

Borehole:

Sparr Drilling Company Ltd

Lifts:

Eng-cons Ltd

Tiles and Sanitary Ware:

Ideal Ceramics Ltd

Purple Tower Wins at Prestigious Property Awards

ThePurple Tower, an ongoing Grade A office development on Mombasa Road in Nairobi has started on a high note even as construction continues. At the prestigious Africa & Arabia Property Awards in Dubai last October, the project won Best Commercial High-Rise Development and Best Commercial High-Rise Architecture, earning the developer a much-needed boost to steer the project.

“It was definitely a proud moment when we got the call from the team at International Property Awards to say that Purple Tower had won in two categories for which we had submitted portfolios”, says Purple Dot International General Manager Jiten Kerai. “We didn’t know whether we had won just the award or also earned 5 Stars for the project, so it was a three week wait until the actual awards event in early October.”

Says Renu Hunjan, Lead Marketing Consultant for Purple Tower: “The Africa & Arabia Property Awards are the largest, most prestigious, and widely recognised programme throughout the regions and so they absolutely embody the standard and caliber to which Purple Dot’s Board and Management looks to having an impact not just on profit but also on people and the planet. To be recognized as an exemplary commercial project in the Africa & Arabia regions speaks to the continued commitment to our investors and for the future as part of our larger business and investment opportunities.”

He notes that a significant part of the judging criteria was sustainability, and Purple Tower’s achievement of EDGE certification was a huge boost in shareholder and investor confidence and also that of the future tenants. “The recognition at a regional and international level is proving to be a strong factor to Grade A office tenants who are already on board the project ahead of completion.”

Purple Tower, whose off-plan sale was unveiled by the developer in May last year, sits along Mombasa Road, hovering just above the Nairobi Expressway. The MUD (Mixed Use Development) is centrally located and strategically nestled near key urban addresses including the city’s CBD (Central Business District), Upperhill, Westlands, Industrial Area, Wilson Airport, and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and SGR Terminal. The 14-floor edifice which is conveniently positioned near the Expressway’s entry/exit lanes parades the following spaces: showroom/retail (ground floor); food and beverage/restaurant (second floor); Grade A offices (third to fourteenth) and conferencing facility (fourteenth). The multiple entry, exit points from the tower significantly cuts down travel time to Mlolongo, Athi River as well as Westlands and Limuru Road.

Purple Tower’s design takes into consideration energy and water consumption saving measures including increased natural ventilation with operable windows, reduced window to wall ratio, external shading devices, energy saving lighting to be used in all internal areas and to be in tenant leases, occupancy sensors in bathrooms, conference rooms, closed cabins/open offices, solar photovoltaics for 20 percent of total energy use. Water saving measures include flow faucets in all bathrooms and kitchen sinks and dual flush for WC in all bathrooms and water efficient urinal. Overall, Purple Tower’s energy savings are estimated to be 27%, water savings at 41% and 33% less embodied energy in building materials used.

Smart Monitoring needed to make Groundwater Sustainable

Davis & Shirtliff has called for strengthening of infrastructure and increased investment in groundwater monitoring to meet rising demand for clean and sustainable access to water. The leading supplier of water and energy related equipment in the East and Southern Africa region said Kenya and other countries across Africa are experiencing a rise in ground water abstraction due to rising population pressure on receding levels of freshwater resources on impact of climate change.

Davis & Shirtliff Technical Director Engineer Philip Holi said African countries need cutting edge groundwater monitoring infrastructure to efficiently manage and protect these critical water resources.

“Improving groundwater monitoring in Africa will require a combination of regulatory frameworks, investment in infrastructure and capacity building, and partnerships with key stakeholders,” said Eng. Holi.

Countries like Kenya will for instance need to set standards for the quality and quantity of groundwater and put up frameworks allowing for regular testing and reporting of groundwater conditions.

Similarly, more investment in wells, sensors, and other technology that can be used to monitor groundwater resources are key in obtaining and compiling important data for better predictions

of the future especially on how the systems will respond to changing land use and climate change.

“Groundwater monitoring is critical in helping to assess the availability and quality of groundwater resources, which can be important for planning and managing the use of these resources,” said Eng. Holi.

For continuous and remote monitoring, local institutions and communities must be roped in for capacity building and training on effective use of monitoring tools and managing groundwater resources.

However, the most critical element, Eng. Holi said would be to make groundwater monitoring tools more accessible by making them affordable.

“By regularly monitoring groundwater resources, it is possible to identify areas where extraction is unsustainable and could lead to depletion of the resource. This information can be used to develop strategies to reduce extraction and protect the resource,” He explained.

Already, Davis & Shirtliff has established a water quality monitoring laboratory that provides affordable water analysis services that can assist in ground water monitoring. In addition, the iDayliff IOT service developed by Davis & Shirtliff enables individuals and institutions to collect and analyze water quality data from multiple sites.

Davis & Shirtliff Technical Director Engineer Philip Holi

About Davis & Shirtliff

The Davis & Shirtliff Group is the leading supplier of water related equipment in the East African region. Founded in 1946, our business activities are focused on seven principal product sectors - Water Pumps, Boreholes, Swimming Pools, Water Treatment, Generators, Solar Equipment and Irrigation. The group is Kenyan based and operates through a network of Kenyan branches as well as regional subsidiaries in Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, South Sudan, DRC, Zimbabwe and a partnership in Ethiopia. More information on www.davisandshirtliff.com.

Follow Davis & Shirtliff on Twitter - @Dayliff and Facebook @DavisandShirtliff.

Renovation Tips for a Small Apartment

These renovation tips for a small apartment offer you the opportunity to create the space of our dreams or add value for your investment. For small apartments, limited space always comes up when thinking of renovation ideas. However, lack of space should never be a hindrance to what you want to achieve, let it inspire you to be creative in making use of the available space. With innovative thinking and crafty ideas, you will be a step further in creating a cozy and stylish apartment. If you however need some tips, here are some ideas for your inspiration.

Let in the light

Getting enough light in a small apartment is always a challenge, but you can play around with classy ideas and come up with ways to maximize the amount of light.

• Consider knocking down a wall that faces an attractive view and install a floor to ceiling window. Large windows create a luxury feel to the home as

well as illuminate the place with extra natural light. A plus, you get to usher in the outside while sitting on the couch by just opening the curtains.

• Still on adding windows, install a window on the ceiling to let in more light. Sunroofs will allow you to stargaze from the comfort of your home.

• When it comes to the paint, the color really matters when it comes to lighting up a space. You don’t want to go for darker colors that won’t reflect natural light. Besides, they also make the room appear smaller. Go for white or pastel for the walls to reflect natural light and allow the room to appear bigger and brighter.

Add on the storage

Another of my renovation tips for a small apartment covers the area of storage space which is also a challenge with small apartments due to the limited area available.

If you are renovating to create a space of your dream, it will not feel cozy with clutter. If it is for resale, the storage area is one consideration that buyers will be keen about. You need to think of ways to maximize storage while leaving the apartment looking spacious.

• Consider adding floating shelves on the walls to store decorations and small items that make a room appear messy.

• Create wall-mount storage in the kitchen to hang your cookware and free up space in the cabinets for other things.

• Invest in kitchen cabinets to maximize on storage. Consider going for ready-toassemble cabinets for a small kitchen as you can easily customize them to your desire or as the space permits. Ready-to-assemble cabinets for a small kitchen are affordable and durable. In addition, they are easy to assemble; you can do it yourself with little carpentry skills or call for a professional.

Make the place appear bigger

One thing you would want to achieve with renovating a small apartment is to make space appear bigger and spacious. There are several ways that you can achieve this.

• Consider using the same floor tiles in

the bathroom so that the shower blends seamlessly for the room to appear bigger.

• Lose the door for a transparent glass slab in the bathroom.

• Install pullout tray tables that you can slide out when you need it and tuck it back when not in use.

• Do the flooring diagonally such that you see the broadest part of the pattern as the first thing when you enter a room. It makes the room appear wider.

• Paint the walls in a stripped pattern to make the room appear longer.

Loft it

Creating a loft is one of the most space-saving trends with small apartments, and it is now the in-thing in creating modern small apartments. The advantage of incorporating a loft in your renovation is that you get to save on space and earn an extra room while at it. If you have high ceilings and the permits allow you to have one, consider a loft above the living area to use as a storage area for your books. You can also consider adding it in the children’s bedroom to act as a place for guests or a place to store their toys.

Material and Labor Waste Reduction in Building Projects

Construction is an ever growing and a highly competitive industry. Waste management has become an important part of the construction industry to minimize environmental impact. Construction Management is a process where project owner(s) are provided with the planning, coordination and control of the construction process from start to end which includes aspects like cost, timeline, quality, safety, function and waste management as well.

Whenever construction waste is mentioned, we normally tend to imagine demolition waste or leftover materials pieces. However, there are many hidden forms of waste that need to be considered to increase efficiency and also reduce cost. Inefficient MEP system layout and change orders are one of the commonly observed issues that contribute to construction waste.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one of the most powerful tools for handling and preventing construction waste at the design stage. BIM can detect component clashes, eliminating order change when detected,

and also allow a 3D visualization of the building system so MEP engineers can make better decisions in optimizing the designs efficiently.

Share spaced have many MEP components that can be suspended above a ceiling, embedded in the walls or floor, or even distributed in vertical shafts. In particular, equipment rooms have lot of components coming from different systems sharing small spaces.

Designing an optimal layout for distribution systems is one of the most difficult challenges when it comes to embedding different MEP components like plumbing pipes, fire sprinkler pipes, air ducts, electrical conduit and hydronic pipes in shared spaced. Inefficient layout of these elements tend to increase the material requirement and in turn increasing the cost as well. The cost of individual unit may be low but when many elements are installed inefficiently, the cost starts to rise exponentially.

Also, optimizing the MEP layout using the conventional 2D drawing software can be difficult considering the relative positions

of the component layout. Since building systems are usually drawn on different sheets, overlapping them in 2D would only create more confusion with cluttered drawings.

All these limitations and drawbacks can be effectively eliminated with BIM as it provides a 3D model of the designed layout with higher technical details and also assist with component clash detection. This in turn, greatly reduces the installation process consuming less time and low manpower.

Change Orders

During the process of Construction Management, the design firm calculated the project budget on behalf of the project owner. Even though factors like waste management are considered, the design layout and the budget is calculated with the assumption of no change orders. Unfortunately, change orders can be observed in many construction projects.

These disruptions lead to excessive wastage of the 3 most important resources; Materials, Skilled Labor and Time. This generally leads to increased overall cost and delay in completion of project. In buildings with tenant spaces, delay in completion of project means owners cannot start collecting rent till the project is completed.

Change orders are generally a result of ineffective design errors which leads to design system clashes. These clashes are classified into 3 main types:

• A Hard Clash occurring due to overlapping component layout, which means the installation is physically impossible.

• A Soft Clash occurring due to improper functioning of components based on their positions.

• A Workflow Clash that affects the sequence of project activities like interference between subcontractors due to equipment layout.

Now let’s have a look at construction waste that can occur even after optimal project design layout and how to eliminate the issue.

Prefabrication, a Waste Prevention Strategy

Construction waste can still occur even after having an optimal design layout and no change orders. For example, the dimension of the design components vary from project to project but the component materials like pipes and electrical conduit come in standard sized. Some cutting is required to meet the required dimensions.

Prefabrication is a process where the all the component materials are assembled based on the required dimensions in a factory or manufacturing unit before moving them to the construction site. This helps the project owners use prefabricated modules and reduce the overall waste. Even if there is any waste, it can be used for reuse and recycling.

BIM coupled with prefabrication can further help optimizing the modular components before production. BIM can help visualize these optimized dimensions of the components in the design layout in 3D.

The Rise of Drones in the Construction Industry

Drones in the Construction Industry are becoming a common sight. Also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), they are no longer just a hobbyist tech gadget. Many industries and commercial fields have started utilizing drones seeing the wide extent of information they are capable of providing. Construction industry is now proving to be one of the main adopters of drone technology as it provides a birds-eye view of the construction site, machinery and people. Drones has redefined the way buildings are designed and constructed by improving the design accuracy, quality, implementing personnel safety and simplifying the maintenance of the building.

Drones in the Construction Industry are able to assist project managers and supervisors to fulfill their roles much more effectively and also in identifying differences between as-designed plans and as-built plans. Recent technological innovations in drones are now capable of taking thermal photos along with add-ons like GPS.

Let’s take a look into some of the key applications of drones during different stages of the building life cycle.

Building Site Evaluation

Before purchasing the land, it is important for landowners to fully understand the terrain and the land distribution. The traditional land surveillance methods required a lot of labor, time and money. These methods are now being replaced by drones since they prove a bird’s eye view of the entire land. With the use of drones, the captured images can help land owners get a better understanding of the land before the investment.

Drones eliminate all of the human error involved in the land inspection with much higher accuracy and also save a lot of time required for collecting all the necessary data. The data acquired by the drones can be used by engineers to measure the land dimensions, elevation changes and also help with an estimate of the material volumes.

3D Scans

Drones in the Construction Industry can also be used for photogrammetry: creating 3D models by scanning existing structures. This is helpful especially in renovations and retrofitting, since it allows the creating of a detailed model with actual conditions.

BIM software can be used for importing

the model and used as a reference. The data from drones can also be converted into virtual building models which will allow the clients to view the final outcome of renovations and retrofitting before the construction work even begins. This allows clients to also have a better understanding of spaces.

Supervision and Progress Checkups

One of the most common application of drones in building projects is to use them for inspection throughout the site construction lifespan, and also to check whether the schedule is being followed or not. For supervision, drone help project contractors with the following functions:

Getting consistent construction images that can be compared throughout the progress by setting up weekly predetermined flights, and also for supervising construction quality.

Monitoring the progress by overlaying the captured images onto the building designs and drawings so project owners can confirm that the work is moving according to the plan.

The high-quality images can be compared to the actual building progress to identify

any flaws like misplaced or misaligned elements.

Drones eliminate the human error aspect in building inspection and supervision with the ability of providing the project manager with high-quality images and necessary data from any viewpoint.

Maintenance and Damage Assessment

UAVs are useful not only during the construction process, but also after the completion. One of the important applications of UAVs post building completion is, maintenance planning. Also, drones coupled with as-built drawings, can be used for future renovations and upgrades. Some other situations where drones prove to be very useful are:

Damage assessment during natural calamities like tornado or hurricane. Drones can fly around the site, identify the extent of damage caused and provide information like areas that need immediate attention.

Drones equipped with thermal imaging can

be used to detect hot air leakage and poorly insulated areas in the building site.

Health and Safety

Traditional construction methods involved a lot of labor for inspections and supervisions. This included inspecting construction areas that would expose workers to risks like accident and injury at heights. At such times, project owners

can use drones to gather all the necessary information without exposing surveyors to injury and with a higher level of accuracy as well. UAVs can be extremely helpful in emergency situations like the COVID-19 outbreak by limiting the need for personnel. This allows project managers to implement the recommended safety precautions at all times and ensuring the project runs as smoothly as possible.

Troubleshooting Most Common Generator Problems

Generators are very important in case of extended power outages. However just like any other machine, generators can malfunction and fail to serve their purpose. In that case, troubleshooting generator problems is quite important to ensure your generator operates in tip top shape.

The following are a few common problems that may cause your generator to malfunction:

• The generator won’t start: This may be caused by two factors: Lack of fuel: Lack of fuel or low quality fuel are often reasons generator-set engines fail to start. Fuel quality is very important for the smooth running of the generator and should always be checked. You should always ensure water or other contaminants are not in the fuel or in the unit’s filtration or delivery systems. Low battery: 80% of generators’ failures to start are due to faults in the set’s battery. Weak or low charged batteries are quite common. Even a well-charged, wellmaintained lead-acid battery will deteriorate over time. You should always ensure that the battery holds a proper charge and if it no longer does that, you have to replace it.

• Low on coolant: A generator may sound an alarm or simply shut down when the coolant level is low; this may be caused by a failed block heater. Not all generators

are equipped to detect low coolant levels; instead, there is an alarm when the temperature of the coolant is rising. When this happens, add more coolant if levels are low, but if it persists you may need to check for a leak. Leaks commonly source back to the block heater hose since the block heater produces so much heat, which has the most contact with the hose, leading to faster wear and tear.

• Block heater wear and tear: The block heater is tasked with heating the coolant so that it circulates the engine block and keep the engine block warm to prevent thickening of oil. Since it runs all day there is an aspect of wear and tear that affects it functionability. Despite the fact that block heaters are often used in cold climates to start the engine, they are also essential in warm climates because they reduce wear and tear by maintaining more consistent temperatures throughout the cooling system.

• Leaks: A generator could be suffering from oil, fuel, or coolant leaks. The most common cause of fuel leaks in newer generators is not getting enough use, while in older generators, bad belts are more likely associated with a leak in a line or check valves failing to store fuel in engine. Nevertheless, what might seem like an oil

leak in some instances is actually the result of engine slobber or wet stacking. This is the accumulation of unburned fuel, carbon particles, condensed water, and acids in the exhaust system. Legitimate leaks can occur when there is a block in the heater hoses. This can lead to extreme temperatures that can affect the hoses. Another common cause of leaks is overfilling of the base tank.

• Not in Auto: Generators have control panels that allow operators to manage their settings. The panels display important engine and alternator information. If the machine reads ‘Not in Auto,’ or something like ‘breakers open,’ ‘emergency stop buttons activated,’ it has likely been switched into “’Off/Reset’ via the main control switch. To fix this issue, the generator must be physically reset to turn off the alarm.

How Modular Construction Prevents Disruptions in Projects

Construction industry being one of the largest industries in the world, represents 14% of the global GDP. However, disruptions in construction projects continue to prevail. These disruptions are caused by several external factors like natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, volatile material cost due to geopolitical issues, emergency situations like COVID-19 pandemic and many more.

Modular Construction industry plays a vital role during such disruptions by bringing the advantages of a manufacturing or production industry to building projects. Modular construction is a process where individual building modules are constructed in an off-site controlled and isolated manufacturing facility and assembled together at the building site.

One of the biggest differences between traditional construction and modular construction is that modular construction can save up to 50% of the overall required time frame than that of the traditional construction. Modular construction also increases quality while reducing waste, improves budgeting and design flexibility and improves personnel safety by implementing preventive measures in emergency situations like coronavirus.

Reducing Project Delays with Modular Construction

Since most of the man hours happen in the isolated manufacturing facility, the amount of materials, equipment and personnel are the building site is greatly reduced. The site work mainly involves assembling the prefabricated

modules on scheduled days considering external factors like weather conditions while the prefabrication continues regardless of the weather conditions. This reduces the overall time frame to a great extent.

Traditional construction methods must be temporarily suspended due to various external unfavorable conditions like weather, day-today traffic and social distancing during current emergency situations. Thus, building projects implementing modular construction are far less likely to experience delays that that of traditional building construction projects.

Improving Work Safety

With workers split into groups where some work on prefabricating modules while others work on assembling the modules on the building site, project owners have a much better control over the building site. Excessive work at heights in greatly reduced since modules are manufactured on ground level before they are assembled when required.

This allows project owners to implement safety precautions and also maintain the work speed according to the project time frame.

Emergency situations like coronavirus outbreak has introduced major challenges for the construction managers at project sites and adapting to the recommended preventives is the need of the hour. Some of the hurdles are: Maintaining social distancing in reduced spaces, PPE kits introducing uncomfortable situations for construction workers, particularly in hot weather; monitoring of all personnel becoming

impractical looking at the layout of the construction site.

These hurdles can be mitigated in manufacturing plant. Social distancing can be implemented effectively with a proper workflow layout, indoor conditions can easily be controlled and monitored to eliminate the discomfort of PPE kits and the staff can be monitored easily in indoor spaces. Introduction of robots can also be implemented in manufacturing units where social distancing is not viable.

Adapting to Finances for Modular Construction

Up to this point, we have seen that modular construction is capable of offering many advantages, but one of the main barriers in modular construction is finding sufficient finance for building projects. The cash flow distributed throughout the project in traditional construction and modular construction is: In traditional construction, the expenses are evenly spread throughout the process. Materials are normally purchased in batches as the project proceeds. This allows building owners time to manage the required finances.

In modular construction, the activities that are carried out in sequence in traditional construction are completed simultaneously. Modules for different floors are fabricated at once and assembled whenever required. Purchasing all the materials upfront consumes a large amount of the project budget.

With access to more financial options, modular construction would be possible in a larger number of projects.

Constru C tion site maintenan C e strategies

The importance of construction site maintenance strategies cannot be overemphasized. Imagine a project for a noncommercial building just months away from crossing the finish line when a tower crane topples and causes four floors to collapse into rubble. Luckily no one is hurt, but the penalty clause from the contract is activated, and the construction site must remain closed while the authorities investigate the cause of the disaster. After two months of uncertainty and frayed nerves, the result from the investigation finally reveals mechanical failure as the cause: no maintenance recorded on the crane for the last five months.

Below are some construction site maintenance strategies to guide the decisionmaking process: preventative, conditionbased, predictive, and reliability-centered maintenance.

Preventative Maintenance (PM)

Preventative maintenance (PM) is a systematic approach that involves regularly scheduled inspection, repairs, replacements, or any other task that minimizes wear and tear of an asset. On a construction site, preventative maintenance can be time-based, usage-based, or predictive. A cut-off-saw is an example where both time-based and usage-based maintenance are appropriate.

Advantages of Preventative Maintenance

Fewer expensive repairs; Reduces downtime due to unplanned maintenance; Longer lifespan of asset; Improved reliability and availability of asset; Cheaper than CMB, PdM, and RCM to implement and; Does not require a large amount of data to implement

Disadvantages of Preventative Maintenance

Does not consider the critical function of an asset; Is not necessarily an optimized maintenance strategy; Requires in-depth planning and a critical analysis of an asset; Routine maintenance may be unnecessary leading to inefficient use of time and higher spending and; Does not consider the optimum lifespan of a component

Condition-based Maintenance (CBM)

Condition-based monitoring uses tests, visual inspections, operational performance, and other equipment information as a “listening ear” to determine the real-time condition of an asset. Different algorithms later use the data acquired to detect, diagnose, and perform a prognosis for an asset’s failure modes.

Advantages of CBM

Maintenance performed on an as-needed basis; Lowers expenses on maintenance by minimizing time spent to maintain an asset; Lowers the risks associated with unscheduled downtime; Optimizes

maintenance intervals; Increases the lifespan of an asset; Better time management due to predefined scheduled intervals and; Longer useful life for parts

Disadvantages of CBM

Relies on specific indicators that may lead to asset modification; requires specific knowledge to choose the type of measurement equipment; Expensive to install and time-consuming to perform database analysis; CBM does not detect all types of failures and; Resistance to change is an obstacle

Predictive Maintenance (PdM)

Predictive maintenance uses conditionmonitoring strategies to identify and asset’s performance and establish a future date for maintenance. This approach closely intertwines data collected from sensors, environmental measurements, maintenance history, machine operations, and other suitable parameters with algorithms. These algorithms then use the collected data with other variables to predict when failure occurs according to the criteria established in a predictive maintenance model.

The answers to two crucial questions below provide essential information about the applicability of predictive maintenance for an asset: Does the asset perform a critical function that can negatively impact the project if it fails unexpectedly? Is it possible to cost-effectively monitor the failure modes of the asset? If the answer is “YES” to both questions, then the next step is selecting the components/ systems on a construction site to monitor. Vibration of bearings, overloads in electrical panels, temperature differences

of electrical components, spikes in motor amperages, motor oil insulation resistance, and overloads are just some examples to monitor on a construction site.

Advantages of PdM

Increases asset availability due to less downtime; Reduces maintenance costs by making it possible to acquire spare parts promptly and possibly for a lower cost; Better customer satisfaction and employee productivity which are direct results of better maintenance planning and reduced downtime

Disadvantages of PdM

Misinterpretation of data from sensors and other measuring devices can lead to prediction error; High setup costs and careful analysis to determine which assets perform a critical function can be timeconsuming and; requires more time to develop compared to other methods

Reliability-centered Maintenance (RCM)

Reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) is an empirical approach that focuses on the reliability and availability of an asset

as opposed to its optimized functionality. The failure mode, effect, and criticality analysis (FMECA) concept is an important tool that elaborates on the goals, principles, and approach in RCM with the final aim of identifying an optimal maintenance program anchored on various maintenance strategies. RCM considers an acceptable level of risk, and consequently, not all failure modes are immediately maintained; only those deemed critical.

Advantages of RCM

Increases equipment availability as a result of reduced downtime; Reduces maintenance costs by lowering corrective and preventative maintenance costs; Better planning for spare parts availability and consequently lower costs; Better risk awareness and maintenance optimization strategies; Reduces the likelihood of sudden equipment failure and associated probability and; Involves root cause analysis in methodology approach

Disadvantages of RCM

Cost reduction is only evident over the long term; Management interested in shortterm saving results may, therefore, resist

the change; High start-up costs to buy equipment, allocate resources, implement strategies and train personnel; does not consider ownership costs and; requires good understanding of failure modes at the system level

The construction industry relies heavily on building and industrial maintenance strategies to ensure optimal functionality of assets and reduced downtime. A single maintenance strategy cannot achieve this due to the wide range of components/ systems, the numerous failure modes, and the differing degrees of criticality assigned to each.

Construction projects are also case-specific with unique design and legal requirements that play an essential role in defining equipment usage, building specifications, and work practices. Cost-effectiveness, available resources, manufacturer’s product guidelines, the criticality of a particular component/system, and long-term maintenance plans are essential deciding factors for choosing a combination of different optimal maintenance strategies.

Choosing the right colour for a commercial building

The choice of colours, once a commercial building is complete, has always presented a challenge to many developers. Understandably, paint work is not one of the key considerations that developers grapple with at the conception of a project. Most would rather worry over completion of the physical structure, which is often the phase that takes up most of the financial resources.

But what happens when the project has finally taken shape and all that is left is “finishing”? Many project owners will concede that this too poses a major challenge. The physical appeal of the building and subsequent uptake of rental or purchased space is quite often influenced by the colours that have been employed in the finish. This is why it is critical that even as the development is under way, the developer must constantly put his mind around what colour scheme to use once the

project is complete.

There are thousands of possible colours to choose from (up to 5,000 offered by some paint manufacturers) and herein lies the question: how then does one settle on the right colour? It is a question to consider both for ew buildings and renovation works.

According to Higgins Coatings, there are some standard guidelines that should help the developer come up with colours suitable for the particular development.

Architectural style of the building

For instance, a building could be a historical or a futuristic structure. A modern palette will look very out of place on a historical building, and vice versa. Older buildings favour neutrals and rich browns, while modern buildings experiment more with bolder colours, including orange, yellow and red.

Impression intended and who is to use the building

Depending on the type of clientele one wishes to attract, choice of colour scheme may vary. A building that hosts advertising firms or interior design businesses may opt for bold colours while law firms may inspire more subdued colours. A hospital normally goes for white or mild blue. A kindergarten will call for several different bright colours.

Colour combination that works best

As a general rule, no more than three colours should be used on the exterior of a building: one for the walls, one for the trimmings and one for accents. It is a choice between complementary and analogous colours. Complementary colours are colours that are directly opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as red and green, blue and orange or purple and yellow. These

create a visually striking effect, making a space more impactful.

Analogous colours, on the other hand, are colours that sit side by side on the colour wheel, such as orange and yellow, or green and blue. These create a subtler, more harmonious effect, making a space feel more casual.

Other factors that may influence choice of colour are brand identity and surroundings.

If the building belongs to and houses an organization with already distinct brand colours, naturally it is these colours that will guide the paintwork. For instance, it is unlikely for a building housing Coca Cola to use blue, yellow or other such colours that do not identify with the company.

If other buildings in the surroundings conform to a particular colour scheme, a developer may have to adopt colours that

rhyme with these existing structures.

Local regulations may also dictate the colour to use. For instance, Mombasa County Government in Kenya decided that all commercial premises should adopt white and blue as their colour scheme.

Before commencing paintwork, it is advisable to try out the selected colours on a smaller area. This will give the developer an idea of how the entire building will look like and provide a path to change before painting the entire structure and regretting later.

Geosynthetic technology uniquely suited to the African environment

Geocells are an example of geosynthetic technology uniquely suited to the African environment. Geocells are a 3D mechanical soil stabilization and road reinforcement method. The honeycombed cells create a new composite entity when filled with soil materials due to the unique interaction of geometry, soil and the cell-wall material. The stiff 3D mattress restrains the lateral movement of soil particles and maximizes the distribution of lateral and vertical stresses. The main advantage of geocells is the creation of a layer with significantly increased compressive, shear and bending stiffness (slab effect). This results in higher bearing capacity, lower stress/strain fields, resulting in lower deformations and extended service life.

However, as Zeev Strahl of PRS –the veteran Israeli manufacturer of geocells – states, this is where Neoloy, a nano-polymeric alloy comes into play. “In the end, it is the stiffness and durability properties of material (beside the cell geometry) that the geocell is manufactured from that determines the level of engineering performance. Neoloy is an innovative alloy developed

by PRS specifically for geocells. Studies and field trials by leading civil engineering faculties and engineering companies around the world have validated that geocells made from Neoloy show significantly better ultimate bearing capacity, stiffness, and reinforcement relative to geocells made from conventional HDPE geocells, particularly for the entire life span of the roads pavements,” he adds.

The Neoloy Geocells’ stiffness, resistance to deformation (creep)and long-term design strength make geocells more suitable for the demanding requirements of infrastructure projects. Projects undertaken in Africa for the Neoloy Geocell include: weak subgrade stabilization and reinforcement for paved and gravel roads, railroad embankments, terminal storage, container yards, airfields and landfills from Northern to Southern Africa and from the Gold Coast to the Horn of Africa. Clients include UNOPS, mine owners , energy companies, railway authorities , port authorities, and government agencies and municipalities.

Dimiter Alexiew an international

Geosynthetic Consultant from Germany, explains that in the African context, it is important to note that the 3D Neoloy Geocell confinement enables the use of sands or other locally available inferior fills, in place of gravel aggregate. And as it works for sands, finer-grained, partially cohesive soils, such as Laterite, can also be used for structural infill. This is of great benefit in many regions in Africa, where even sand is rare.

Besides the lack of gravel and sand, expansive soils are a common geotechnical problem in Africa that can be resolved economically by Neoloy Geocells, as a proven solution to equalize heave deformations. In addition, cement stabilization can be replaced in many projects with geocell mechanical reinforcement, as it is more cost-effective, does not crack over time and does not have negative environmental impacts.

“The high improved modulus factor from Neoloy Geocell reinforcement typically reduces pavement thickness by 50%, even with marginal infill, with no decrease in performance or service life. Neoloy optimized pavements do not crack, thereby significantly decreasing repairs and maintenance, even under heavy loading/trafficking and harsh environmental conditions. So, both construction and maintenance costs can be lowered at the same time. The end result is a sustainable construction solution with significant economic advantages, enabling countries to maximize their infrastructure investments in the most costeffective and environmentally-friendly manner,” says Zeev Strahl of PRS.

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