Concrete remains the material of choice

Concrete will play an essential role in the government’s plans to implement long-awaited infrastructural projects this year, says Bryan Perrie, CEO of Cement & Concrete South Africa (CCSA).

Bryan Perrie, CEO of Cement & Concrete South Africa

Concrete is the most vital building material to create the infrastructure to sustain South African urban and rural settlements and the road networks that link them. Concrete provides the essential material properties to economically build vital buildings, dams, bridges, warehouses, roads, airports, as well as water and sewage treatment plants, to name just a few important facilities,” Perrie states.

Thermal efficiency

Buildings and homes constructed with concrete, for example, offer exceptional energy efficiency, with the material’s thermal mass guarding against temperature fluctuations and helping reduce heating and air-conditioning expenditures. Concrete’s high thermal mass means that when it is warm, it absorbs unwanted heat, slowing the rise in temperature in indoor rooms. When temperatures fall in the evening, concrete releases the heat absorbed during the day, keeping indoor rooms at a comfortable temperature.

Minimal wastage, resilient and recyclable

Because concrete is designed for each specific project, there is usually very little waste, and the material enjoys unlimited flexibility in applications ranging from high-rise structures to parking lots, bridges and stadiums. And when a concrete structure has served its purpose, the material can be crushed and recycled.

Designed properly, concrete infrastructure is resistant to fire, impact, wind, floods, storms and earthquakes. With climate change increasingly producing devastating weather conditions, the ability of concrete structures to survive major disasters should also not be overlooked. Concrete structures can last for decades – even centuries. The Channel Tunnel, linking Britain and France, for example, is contractually guaranteed to last at least 120 years.

“Concrete may be our oldest building material, but modern innovations in technology and technique keep it at the forefront of sustainable design and construction. Today, it can be cast into virtually any shape or form, which allows for exciting design freedom and an almost infinite variety of applications,” Perrie explains.

A job creator

Perrie says concrete construction drives economic growth, innovation and jobs. “A recent study by La Bipe (Euroconstruct) management consultants documented that for every job created in cement and concrete in the construction industry in Europe, nearly three jobs were created in the wider economy. Similar – if not greater – benefits would apply to South Africa where unemployment is such a challenging factor,” he continues.

Concrete pavements

Another infrastructural benefit offered by concrete is the provision of roads. Concrete pavements offer substantial benefits over the long term and, in economic terms, are often the most favourable solution based on lifecycle costs. This is even more so when user costs are considered, as concrete pavements require minimal maintenance.

“Concrete pavements have a crucial role to play in the provision of new infrastructure, as well as for the upgrading of existing pavement infrastructure,” says Perrie. Concrete overlays and inlays provide an ideal solution for the upgrading of existing asphalt and unsurfaced pavements for all categories of traffic. The development of ultra-thin concrete pavements has added to the various types of concrete available to the road design engineer. The reflectivity of light-coloured concrete paving and sidewalks also helps reduce the urban heat island effect.

CCSA resources

Perrie adds that the resources of CCSA are readily available to assist in infrastructural developments in all parts of South Africa. Some of these services cover: • Education and Training: With the skills challenges facing the industry, this is an essential requirement for the future of a qualified and suitably skilled construction industry. CCSA’s School of Concrete

Technology offers a wide range of internationally recognised courses, ranging from the basic ‘Introduction to Concrete’ to the highly acclaimed ‘Advanced Concrete

Technology’ course. • Information Centre: This is one of the largest and most respected sources of information on concrete in the southern hemisphere. It is widely used by the construction industry and students. • Consulting: CCSA offers invaluable advice on concrete-related issues including onsite visits by technical staff. CCSA members have access to all the association’s services, either free or at special discounted rates. A range of membership options is available at different fee levels, with associated benefits. For further information visit www.cemcon-sa.org.za.