Concrete knowledge vital for safe and reliable infrastructure

material when compared to other construction materials and it can also be produced using locally available materials, reducing transportation costs.

Fire resistance: Concrete is highly resistant to fire, making it ideal for use in structures where fire safety is a concern.

Energy efficiency: Concrete structures have good thermal mass properties, which means they can retain and release heat slowly, leading to substantial energy savings in buildings.

Training courses

Concrete can be manufactured to an enormous range of specifications to suit a wide variety of applications by using different mix designs or adding different materials,” Perrie explains. This has a bearing in terms of new construction, as well as optimum maintenance interventions to maximise the lifespan of structures and ensure public safety.

Even where old concrete has reached the end of its service life, it can still be reused as aggregate for new concrete mixtures. Industrial waste by-products that would otherwise have been sent to landfill – like fly ash, silica fume and blast furnace slag – can also be incorporated to enhance the various performance properties of concrete.

“Concrete provides faster construction, which means reduced carrying costs and faster revenue generation. This facilitates more timely including municipalities,” Perrie continues.

Standing the test of time

Among the vital qualities of the world’s most popular and perennial building material are: Sustainability: Concrete is a sustainable material that can be produced with lower carbon emissions than other construction materials.

Strength and durability: Concrete is a strong and durable material that can withstand high compressive forces and resist weathering, erosion, and many other adverse environmental factors. This makes it ideal for use in infrastructure that needs to last for many decades.

Cost-efficiency: Concrete is a cost-effective

CCSA’s School of Concrete Technology offers two training courses particularly useful for municipal staff, namely SCT20 Concrete Practice and SCT30 Concrete Technology. Both regularly attract strong enrolment, calling for several presentations every year.

Perrie says the four-day SCT20 Concrete Practice course is excellent for those applying concrete technology on-site such as foremen, supervisors and staff responsible for quality assurance. Additionally, successful completion of this course earns four Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.

“The more advanced SCT30 Concrete Technology five-day course – which earns five CPD points – is aimed at civil and structural engineers, experienced technicians and technologists, and is ideal for gaining detailed knowledge of how cement and concrete works,” Perrie concludes.

For further information about the CCSA’s range of services, visit www.cemcon-sa.org.za.