The official magazine of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa
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Insight Shocking bridge blunders
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CONTENTS
VOLUME 37 NO 8 AUGUST 2012
30 Concrete construction
12 Bridge blunders
37 Road rehab
34 Municipal maintenance Plant and equipment
All material options need to be explored Bituminous road binders and emulsions
30
CBPs prove popular
32
Efficient compacters
95 97
New technology for the asphalt market
Roads Mbombela municipal maintenance Road rehab on schedule Supplying innovative solutions New life for Lesotho roads Crusher purchased by small contractor
34 36 39 40 43
99 100
Eskom contract secured
Panel discussion Ten years of road infrastructure
66
eThekwini Cover Story The East London branch of Colas South Africa successfully completed a 24 km section of road between Viedgesville and Mqanduli using Rubspray 70/3.
Waste transfer station under way N2 upgrade
45 49
Risk management 50
Employers taking on more risk
Women in infrastructure
Regulars 3 5
Editor’s comment President’s comment
Cover article 6
Sealing roads in winter
Global municipal engineering IFME report back 9 Insight 12
Standards: Safety is vital
Municipal maintenance Constraints to private sector operation
Infrastructure for Africa Transformation strategy reflected Heading up international finance The ultimate passionate professional Moving onward and upward The road ahead for WISA The tenacious ‘country shapers’ Turning challenges into opportunities
Backhoe loaders launched Environmental practices in construction
in the
HOT S SEAT
27
Recycling
28
East London’s integrated waste facility
Bongi Maseko of Bongi M Construction speaks of ten years of growth and success
68
Arup Dinesh Chaithoo Dick King Laboratories Richard King
71 73
Kaytech Garth James Osborn Engineered Products Neill du Plessis
75 77
PPC Steve Croswell
79
59
Lafarge Dr Reinhold Amtsbüchler
81
60
HHO Africa John Gibberd
83
65
Bosun David Wertheim Aymes
85
93
Afrisam Mike McDonald Ammann Construction Machinery Rocco Lehman
Mpumalanga Road rehab for safety
SANRAL
55 56 57 58
Project implementation Roads and stormwater analysis
18
52 53 54
SANRAL Louw Kannemeyer
16
Martin and East Jonathan Pearce
87 89 91
IMIESA AUGUST 2012
1
Small
Improvement by us Big Benefits for you By redesigning the counter mechanism of the PSM/KSM range of water meters, Elster Kent engineers have created a near frictionless counter. The benefits for you are: • superior performance and low-flow measurement accuracy • less water goes unaccounted for, thus more revenue is generated • longer legal service life – at least 15 years
The large diameter grooved piston facilitates the passing of undissolved solids through the meter.
Elster Kent KSM & PSM Volumetric Water Meters Often copied - never equalled
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Copyright © Elster Group. All Rights Reserved. Elster and its logo, are trademarks of Elster Group.
EDITOR'S COMMENT
MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE PUBLISHER Elizabeth Shorten EDITOR Richard Jansen van Vuuren ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Ferdie Pieterse HEAD OF DESIGN Frédérick Danton SENIOR DESIGNER Hayley Mendelow SENIOR SUB-EDITOR Claire Nozaic SUB-EDITOR Patience Gumbo CONTRIBUTORS Dr Kobus de Plessis, Candice Landie, Kevin Wall, Rodney Burrell, Ivor Evans, Hoffie Cruywagen, Tony Stone PRODUCTION MANAGER Antois-Leigh Botma PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jaqueline Modise FINANCIAL MANAGER Andrew Lobban (ACIS, FCIBM) MARKETING AND ONLINE MANAGER Martin Hiller ADMINISTRATION Tonya Hebenton DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Nomsa Masina DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Asha Pursotham SUBSCRIPTIONS subs@3smedia.co.za PRINTERS United Litho Johannesburg +27 (0)11 402 0571 ___________________________________________________
Richard Jansen Van Vuuren
T
ensure that municipalities employed qualified HE AUDITOR GENERAL, Terence chief financial officers at all levels, in Nombembe, recently revealed that compliance with the municipal minimum comonly 5% of municipalities obtained petency requirements. clean audit reports in the 2011/12 With all of this in mind, it cannot be disputed financial year. Nombembe said he was excited that the Municipal Systems Amendment Bill, that six new municipalities had joined the clean which was tabled in the National Assembly audit category, taking the total number to 13. during 2010, has a part to be play in the The municipalities with clean audits were future of municipal service delivery. A parlialocated in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo, mentary portfolio committee on cooperative Mpumalanga and the Western Cape. governance and traditional affairs has already None of the municipalities in the Eastern conducted public hearings on the bill, which Cape, Free State, Northern Cape and North heralds what should be a landmark period in West received clean audit reports. Nombembe the delivery of service infrastructure in South reported almost half (45%) obtained unqualiAfrica. The reason for this is that the bill fied audit reports with concerns. These municihas been written specifically to depoliticise palities received unqualified reports after cormunicipal bureaucratic administration. This rections were made and implemented during will ultimately ensure that provincial and local the audit process. governments appoint appropriately skilled peoNone of the country’s metros received clean ple, rather than political appointments. This is audits, while 13% of municipalities did not heartening as it could see the country moving submit financial statements in time for auditing – food for thought – considering there are MUNICIPAL AUDITS FROM A PROVINCIAL PERSPECTIVE 343 municipalities in The Western Cape has one metro municipality, five district the country. municipalities and 24 local municipalities, and had only two clean audits. The Northern Cape did not receive any clean audits from On a positive note, its five district municipalities and 27 local municipalities. KwaZuluNomembe commended Natal achieved five clean audits. The province comprises one municipalities that metro municipality and 50 local municipalities. The Eastern Cape has 45 municipalities and 10 municipal entities and received were making an effort no clean audits. Limpopo, despite its recent bad press, achieved to obtain clean audit two clean audits from its five district municipalities and 25 local statements. municipalities. Mpumalanga had the second highest number of clean audits: four from its three district municipalities and 18 local “They are moving formunicipalities. There were no clean audits from North West’s 24 ward towards the clean municipalities. Gauteng fared slightly better with two clean audits audit space by consistfrom 15 municipalities, while the Free State achieved one clean audit for a dormant municipal entity. ently committing to take ownership of municipal back to a more professionalised and politiperformance practices, insisting on adequately cally independent civil service. The bill sets qualified staff and effective performance mana platform for the establishment of uniform agement practices,” he says. and consistent systems and procedures for On a more sinister note, Cabinet has municipalities, which have been a weak point expressed concern at the poor quality of in current years. It will also prohibit political audit results revealed in the report. The office bearers from being appointed to senior Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs municipal jobs. minister, Richard Baloyi, has been instructed to
ADVERTISING SALES Jenny Miller Tel: +27 (0)11 467 6223 ___________________________________________________
PUBLISHER: MEDIA No. 4, 5th Avenue, Rivonia 2056 PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117 Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/5 E-mail: richard@3smedia.co.za www.3smedia.co.za ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: R480.00 (INCL VAT) ISSN 0257 1978 IMIESA, Inst.MUNIC. ENG. S. AFR. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. ___________________________________________________ IMESA CONTACTS IMESA Administration Officer: Ingrid Botton P O Box 2190, Westville, 3630 Tel: +27 (0)31 266 3263 Fax: +27 (0)31 266 5094 Email: imesa@webstorm.co.za Website: www.imesa.org.za BORDER BRANCH Secretary: Melanie Matroos Tel: +27 (0)43 705 2401 Fax: +27 (0)43 743 5266 E-mail: melaniem@buffalocity.gov.za EAST CAPE BRANCH Elsabé Koen Tel: +27 (0)41 505 8005 Fax: +27 (0)41 581 2300 E-mail: elsabek@africoast.com KWAZULU-NATAL BRANCH Secretary: Rita Zaayman Tel: +27(0)31 311 6382 NORTHERN PROVINCE BRANCH Secretary: Cornel Taljaard Tel: +27 (0)82 899 8341 Fax: +27 (0)11 675 1324 E-mail: cornel@rchc.co.za SOUTHERN CAPE KAROO BRANCH Secretary: Henrietta Oliver Tel: +27(0)79 390 7536 Fax: 086 536 3725 E-mail: imesa.southcape@gmail.com WESTERN CAPE BRANCH Secretary: Erica van Jaarsveld Tel: +27 (0)21 938 8455 Fax: +27 (0)21 938 8457 E-mail: erica.van_jaarsveld@capetown.gov.za FREE STATE AND NORTHERN CAPE BRANCH Secretary: Wilma Van Der Walt Tel: +27(0)83 457 4362 Fax: 086 628 0468 E-mail: imesa.fsnc@gmail.com REST OF SOUTHERN AFRICA Representative: Andre Muller E-mail: imesa@webstorm.co.za
All material herein IMIESA is copyright protected and may not be reproduced either in whole or in part withoutt the prior written permission of the publisher. The views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute of Municipal Engineeringg of Southern Africa or the publishers.
Municipalities under the spotlight
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The official magazine of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa
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Opinion Engineering challenges
Trenchless contract completed in Port Elizabeth
S
ISSN 0257 1978 Volume 37 No.7 s *ULY s R40.00 (incl VAT)
IMIESA AUGUST 2012
3
24 - 26 October 2012 GEORGE 031 2663263
www.imesa.org.za conference@imesa.org.za
REGISTER & PAY BEFORE 31 JULY TO QUALIFY FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
2012 IMESA CONFERENCE Theme: Engineering for Change Share ideas and experiences with over 650 municipal engineers & stakeholders. Discover the latest in technology with over 60 confirmed exhibitors! Submit a paper extract for consideration to harold@george.org.za to share knowledge, and gain exposure and recognition for your contribution to engineering. Acknowledge the best in the industry by attending the Excellence Awards & Opening Function! Network and socialise with suppliers and customers during the conference and at the informal Gala Function at De Vette Mossel. Enjoy an extended weekend in the beautiful Garden Route with your partner – see website for details of the spectacular Companions Tour on offer! Choose your Technical Tour from a selection of Award Winning projects or the rare opportunity to visit PetroSA:
Eco Project: Touw River
Re-use of Waste Water: George Ultra-Filtration Plant
New Water Sources: Mossel Bay Desalination Plant
Safety / Acquisitions: PetroSA
To register or for comprehensive information visit www.imesa.org.za
PRESIDENT'S COMMENT
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
A global theme This month we will be looking at the recently held IFME World Congress and the themes discussed there by Jannie Pietersen, president of IMESA
T
HIS MONTH we will be looking back on the International Federation of Municipal Engineering (IFME) 2012 conference, which I was privileged to attend [see also article on page 9]. On both a personal and professional level, it was great to be in contact with the IFME board members who attended our own conference in Johannesburg in 2011. The conference was centred in Helsinki, but included events in Estonia and Stockholm as well. There were a number of highlights, but I was impressed most by the Stockholm inner-city renewal project, which for me prompted inevitable comparisons with urban renewal programmes in South Africa, and the effectiveness of our own Urban Renewal Tax Incentive – but that’s a discussion for another time. The theme of the conference, ‘Sustainable Communities’, struck an immediate chord with me. At last year’s conference I spoke on sustainability, and thus it was pleasing that Roger Byrne and I were asked to present a keynote paper on the implementation of sustainable infrastructure asset management as part of a national programme. This presentation is available in the conference proceedings book, which also contains many others of a uniformly high standard. We have a tendency to think of our problems as unique; in some ways this may be true, but it is often interesting and useful to hear from others how they approach similar issues in their own cities and towns. Roger and I were also part of a panel appointed to discuss the main theme. In these discussions we recognised the main global threats to sustainability as: • debt • population growth • an ageing population • climate change
• limited resources • changing technology. It has been informative to compare this list with that contained in a small booklet titled The Top Ten Risks for Local Government, published in 2011 by a leading firm of local accountants. Obviously this has a local perspective, and the list is to a degree predictable:
sustainability identified at the IFME conference. These are the threats that need to be addressed globally and, as was clear at the conference and will be evident to any reader of the conference proceedings, our profession – internationally – is at the forefront of efforts both to mitigate these threats and to address their effects.
• financial viability • inadequate standards of service delivery • dissatisfaction of the community • deficiencies in staff skills and capacity • increasing indigents and poverty • maintaining infrastructure • weaknesses in governance and accountability • excessive urbanisation • inefficient investment in capex • poor levels of compliance. Ignoring the fact that at least some of these are really a restatement of the same problem, it can be seen that, barring those relating to governance, accountability and compliance, they are all derived from, or are local manifestations of, one or other of the threats to
The South African couples attending the IFME Congress. Dr Kobus Du Plessis, Jannie Petersen and Johan Basson; with their spouses
This is as true in South Africa as it is anywhere. It is on our profession that the responsibility to ensure the future sustainability of communities will largely fall. It is a burden, which we will be able to shoulder, but we need to be prepared. As I have said before, the pillars of sustainability are: efficient asset management, skills, political stability, financial stability, freedom from corruption and sound governance – all grounded in sound morals and ethics. If we carry on our profession with this in mind, we will meet the challenges!
IMIESA AUGUST 2012
5
COVER STORY
COLAS
The East London branch of Colas South Africa successfully completed a 24 km section of road between Viedgesville and Mqanduli using Rubspray 70/3.
Recent successes of Rubspray in the winter months PPROXIMATELY 300 000 ℓ of Rubspray emulsion was applied on this contract during the period from April 2012 to June 2012. The original specification for this 13.2 mm reseal contract was SBS modified bitumen conforming to the requirements for an SE-1 binder. The road was closed overnight to traffic during the first night of the seal. However, due to the cold winter temperatures (especially at night), Babereki Consulting Engineers, on the recommendation by Colas South Africa, decided to change the specification to Rubspray with a further application
A
6
IMIESA AUGUST 2012
of a light fog spray on top of the completed chipped surface. S-E1 modified binder requires a minimum road surface temperature of 25˚C before surfacing can commence. During the winter months, road surface temperatures seldom reach 25˚C. The window period for surfacing with hot binders is thus very small. When using Rubspray emulsion, surfacing operations can commence when the road surface temperature reaches 10˚C and more.
The low overnight temperatures experienced during the contract were conducive for the use of Rubspray 70/3 rather than the use of the SBS modified bitumen. This contract was completed to the satisfaction of the client, Coega Development for Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Transport, by Mapitsi Civils, Space Construction and Colas South Africa. At another contract – 20 km of 9.5 mm single seal from Hopefield to Velddrift in Cape Town – was also recently completed over a period
East London The low overnight temperatures experienced during the contract were conducive to the use of Rubspray 70/3 rather than the use of the SBS modified bitumen
COVER STORY
Hopefield The emulsion was applied at an application rate of 1.6 ℓ/m2 and chipped up
of 14 days, also using 70/3 Rubspray. The emulsion was applied at an application rate of 1.6 ℓ/m2 and chipped up. No traffic was allowed on the seal overnight. The following day a diluted fog spray was applied over the seal and the surface was opened to traffic once the fog spray had dried. In Bloemfontein, Colas is working on the Kuruman to Kathu contract where Rubspray 70/3 is used as tack coat in a 19.0 + 9.5 mm double seal. There are also several other contracts in progress in this area. These include:
entire surface. The geotextile was adhered with Coltack L emulsion at an application rate of 1.6 ℓ/m2. When the surfacing operation commenced, 70/100 penetration grade bitumen was initially used as a tack coat for the 19 mm aggregate and applied at a hot application rate of 2.2 ℓ/m2. With the cold night temperatures experienced at the time, chip loss occurred on the sections surfaced with the penetration grade bitumen. Colas recommended the use of Rubspray 70/3 as a tack coat and a trial section was placed
These trials once again showed that surfacing work can be performed successfully with Rubspray • N14 Kuruman in conjunction with Group Five • N9 Noupoort in conjunction with Haw & Inglis • N5 Bethlehem in conjunction with Raubex • Bloemfontein streets in conjunction with Razzmatazz • Harrismith in conjunction with Razzmatazz Successful trials were also carried out recently using Rubspray 70/3 on a 19.0 mm single seal in Harburg, KwaZulu-Natal on the P156/2 road on 29 May 2012. The contract involved the placement of full-width geotextile over the
WHAT EXACTLY IS RUBSPRAY?
Rubspray is a high viscosity cationic spray grade bitumen emulsion modified with SBR latex. Rubspray is used in cold, wet climates for resealing roads with surface cracks less than 5 mm without pretreatment. It can also be used in new construction and reseals where traffic accommodation is not a problem. Rubspray has much enhanced residual binder properties while the lower viscosity of the emulsion improves the flow of the binder into lightly cracked surfaces without the risk of run-off on steep inclines. Rubspray is environmentally friendly with no evaporation of paraffin or risk of explosion, making it safe to work with. It can be stored for long periods at ambient temperature without risk of polymer thermal degradation. Emulsions allow for better quality work in less than ideal conditions
on 29 May 2012. Concern was initially raised regarding the unusually high application rate of 2.85 ℓ/m2 required for the Rubspray application. Small-scale trials were initially performed on site to assess whether the Rubspray would flow excessively at the high application rate. Fortunately, the geotextile was very absorbent and very little flow-off of the binder occurred. The full-scale trial was performed on a cool
Harburg A 70/100 penetration grade bitumen was initially used as a tack coat for the 19 mm aggregate and applied at a hot application rate of 2.2 ℓ/m2
cloudy day, with occasional periods of sunshine. As it was not possible to keep the road closed overnight, the road was opened to traffic in the late afternoon. During the night some heavy rain showers occurred, but fortunately no stone loss occurred. Two months later, the section is performing very well with no sign of chip loss. Stone retention is exceptionally good due to the tenacious adhesion provided by the latex component. These trials once again showed that surfacing work can be performed successfully with Rubspray during low temperature conditions allowing contractors to spread the use of bitumen to when it is more readily available. For more information about Rubspray contact: Kobus Louw or Premala Singh • t +27 (0)21 531 6406
IMIESA AUGUST 2012
7
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GLOBAL MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING
IFME 2012: HELSINKI
World Congress on Municipal Engineering One frequently asks whether the ver y high cost of attending an international conference is really wor th it. While this obviously depends on the delegate, it is impor tant to at least be in a position where you can gain from such an experience. By Dr Kobus du Plessis *
S
UCH AN OPPORTUNITY presented itself during the 75th IMESA conference, held in Boksburg in 2011, where the 17th International Federation of Municipal Engineers (IFME) congress (held between 4 to 7 June 2012) was advertised with an invitation to IMESA’s members to attend. Besides the obvious attraction to see Finland at a stage where the sun rarely sets (it is only dark for approximately five hours per day during June), and where an extremely functional public transport system is but one of the many things accepted as the norm, the possibility to share knowledge and to learn from international experience on issues that seem so familiar needed to be considered very carefully. IMESA is a member of IFME and the possibility to attend this event, which is only presented
every third year, needed serious consideration. After the normal visa battles associated with a visit abroad, three members of IMESA – the president of IMESA, Jannie Pietersen; an exco member of IMESA, Johan Basson, and myself – joined the approximately 380 delegates from almost 35 different countries to participate. The conference was held jointly in Helsinki, Finland; Tallinn, Estonia; and Stockholm,
Official opening in Finlandia Hall, Helsinki
• municipal engineering • asset management • traffic solutions • energy solutions. Jannie Pietersen and Roger Byrne (Australia) presented one of keynotes presentations:‘Implementing sustainable infrastructure asset management (SIAM) as part of a national programme’, while I presented a paper on ‘Integrated water demand management for municipalities: a South African perspective’, during a municipal engineering session. While transport and architecture approach plays a very important role in European countries, it was interesting to note the similarities in dealing with a political environment where decisions can rarely be considered rational. It
It was interesting to note the similarities in dealing with a political environment where decisions can rarely be considered Sweden, and the theme was ‘Sustainable Communities – Plan, Design, Construct and Maintain… for a better future’. There were 73 papers, which were presented in six groups during three parallel sessions over the three days of the conference. These groups were: • construction and renovation • urban planning
IMIESA AUGUST 2012
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GLOBAL MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING
is very difficult to highlight specific papers as good or bad, since that depends on the interest from the delegate, but the topics covered in the papers were diverse and included: • Urban intensification across municipal borders • Extreme weather and flooding in Gothenburg • Municipal green growth strategy with excellent results • Evaluation of alternative solutions against sustainability criteria for area planning • Determining factors for choosing the bicycle as a means of transportation • Danish experience with sustainable and low carbon urban planning • Outsourcing municipal engineering services on a large scale: case evidence from two Finnish cities • Experimental studies of a device to retain pollution in urban stormwater management • Lighting master plan in action – the aim, the result, the future • How are we heading towards sustainable facilities management in Norwegian municipalities? • Metering the quality of water supply and sewage network maintenance services • Service planning – the missing link in sustainable asset management. The technical tour in Helsinki mainly related to the transport problems relating to limited available land and extremely heavy snow fall, which requires a significant fleet of vehicles to clear the roads during the long winter months. These vehicles are stored in a range of underground tunnels, which also serve as the access route for delivery vehicle to all main service providers above ground. The new tunnel system is more than 2 km long and has a cross section of 110 m2.
The technical tour to Tallinn also focused on transport problems, but the extent of the redevelopment of certain areas was clearly demonstrated with significant construction sites all over this very old city. Participants also had the very rare opportunity to be part of the very first IFME choir to perform live in the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds. In Stockholm, Sweden, the participants were briefed on and visited a variety of redevelopment projects – specifically the harbour area and the development of new open public spaces, which is very rare due to the limited land available. After three days of deliberations and three technical tours, the participants shared an appreciation for the problems that we, internationally, shared on a municipal level, including political decision-making, limited funding and increasing need for innovation in
Snow removal vehicles stored underground in Helsinki
decision-making. We also made new friends and strengthened existing ties between peers on different continents, which makes every cent spent on such an opportunity worthwhile. It also serves as a benchmark for IMESA’s own effort in knowledge sharing through its annual conference – to mention one opportunity – and it is very assuring to realise that IMESA can carry its flag high in this changing environment.
BELOW LEFT IFME choir in preparation for their performance in Tallinn, Estonia BELOW Briefing at technical excursion in Stockholm and a newly developed public open space area
IMIESA AUGUST 2012
11
INSIGHT
STANDARDS The determination
Standards have a tendency to become mundane and boring. But we should always remember that it is in doing the mundane to a consistently high standard that excellence is produced, and, more importantly, maintained. By Tony Stone
12
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NGINEERING IS an exact science, an exact profession. It has to be – if it isn’t, someone, somewhere, will lose life or limb because of an engineering oversight. Why is this important? Besides the obvious reasons, the answer is simple. When that someone is you, a family member or a friend, it is no longer a distant event, void of emotion and, as a consequence, irrelevant. With the government’s massive infrastructure development plan coming down the pipeline, we need to learn from those before and those still with us.
Learning from the best – or worst A scientific principle, a standard, is the product of a problem solved or a method developed to perform a specific task that has been proven by science through empirical research involving detailed observation and analysis. When scientific principles are ignored, that is when we find ourselves in trouble. How does this happen? Through ignorance, arrogance and/or incompetence! ABOVE The aftermath Since 1831, 152 bridges around of a bridge collapse in the world have collapsed. Listed Minnesota, USA
INSIGHT
of safety and progress below are but a few of these collapses, with the reasons for the failure given: • Quebec Bridge, Canada: On 11 September 1916, the Quebec Bridge collapsed– for the second time. The first tragedy occurred in 1907 when the bridge, which was nearing completion, started to warp. At that time, an engineer on site, a witness to the tragedy, noticed the increasing distortions of key structural members. Before his eyes, and four years into construction, the south arm and part of the central section of the bridge collapsed into the St Lawrence River in just 15 seconds. Of the 86 workers on the bridge that day, close to quitting time, 75 were killed and the rest were injured. After a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the collapse, construction started on a second bridge, but when the central span was being raised into position it fell into the river, killing 13 workers. • Silver Bridge, United States (US): On 15 December 1967, the Silver Bridge in the US collapsed when it was choked with rush hour traffic. Forty-six people died. The subsequent investigation into the incident identified the cause of the collapse to be the failure of a single eye-bar in a suspension chain – due to a small defect 2.54 mm deep. It was also noted that the bridge carried heavier loads than it was originally designed for, and it was poorly maintained. • Connecticut, US: On 28 June 1983, a section of the Mianus River Bridge collapsed. Three people were killed and three others seriously injured when their vehicles fell 70 feet with the bridge section into the Mianus River. The collapse was due to the failure of the pin and hanger assembly supporting the span. Mpumalanga, South Africa: On 6 July 1989, the Injaka Bridge over the Ngwaritsane River collapsed during construction. The 300 m seven-span continuous prestressed concrete road
bridge collapsed due to incompetence and negligence. The steel launch nose was not structurally stiff enough, the temporary works slide path was incorrect, temporary bearings had been incorrectly placed, in shifting the structure forward the bearing pads were incorrectly fed and the deck slab was under-designed. Fourteen people were killed and 19 injured.
The Quebec Bridge in Canada collapsed twice, in 1907 and 1916
rusted, concrete used in its construction was too weak, there were serious welding problems and inferior steel supports that were 33% thinner than required had been used. • Castelo de Paiva, Portugal: On 4 March 2001, the Hintze Ribeiro Bridge, a steel and concrete structure, collapsed in Entre-os-Rios, Castelo de Paiva, killing 70 people, including those in a bus and three cars that were crossing the bridge during a storm. The bridge was more than 100 years old. The collapse was due to two decades of illegal but allowed sand extraction that had compromised the stability of the bridge’s pillars, as well as disregard from the responsible officials despite the warnings of divers and technicians. • Daman, India: On 28 August 2003, the Por tuguese-built Daman Bridge collapsed into a muddy Daman Ganga River due to heavy rains, throwing a school bus, 10 vehicles and pedestrians into the swirling waters. At least 28 people died, including 23 children. A subsequent judicial commission found that the bridge’s maintenance and repair, as set out in the engineer’s guidelines, had not been adhered to. • Almunecar, Spain: On 7 November 2005, a bridge on the A7 motorway that crosses the Rio Verde collapsed. Five Portuguese and one Spanish national died after a 54 m, 20 t span of the partially built bridge collapsed and plunged 67 m onto workers below. The cause was recorded as ‘unknown’. • Minneapolis, US: On 1 August 2007, the Minneapolis I-35W Bridge over the Mississippi River suffered total failure. With rush hour bridge traffic moving slowly through the limited number of lanes, the central span of the bridge suddenly gave way, followed by the adjoining spans. The structure and deck collapsed into the river and onto the riverbanks below, the
Since 1831, 152 bridges around the world have collapsed • Seoul, South Korea: On 21 October 1994, a 48 m slab between the fifth and the sixth leg of the Seongsu Bridge collapsed. Thirtytwo people were killed and 17 others injured. The concrete slab fell due to a failure of the suspension structure. This was caused by the joints of trusses in the steel structures, which supported the bridge slab, not being fully welded. The welding thickness, which should have been 10 mm, was only 8 mm. In addition, the connecting pins for steel bolts were of substandard quality. • Sichuan, China: On 4 January 1999, the Rainbow Bridge, a pedestrian bridge across the Qijang River, collapsed three years after it was built. Forty people were killed and 14 injured after falling 138 m when the steel-and-concrete bridge collapsed. Parts of the bridge were badly
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