Concrete technologists vital for preserving SA’s infrastructure

Natural disasters, along with maintenance backlogs, continue to threaten the condition and safety of South Africa’s infrastructure, prioritising the need for specialist skills.

In response, the Cement & Concrete SA’s School of Concrete Technology (SCT) has a range of training programmes to meet industry requirements. A prime example is the school’s five-day SCT30 Concrete Technology course, which will be presented five times in Midrand and once each in Cape Town and Durban during 2023.

The first SCT30 course in Midrand was held from 6 to 10 March, with the remaining four scheduled to run from 29 May to 2 June, 10 to 14 July, 11 to 15 September, and 13 to 17 November. In turn, the SCT30 progamme in Durban runs from 9 to 13 October, and the one in Cape Town from 20 to 24 November 2023.

Commenting on the need for these courses, John Roxburgh, senior lecturer at the SCT, says the provision of durable new infrastructure, as well as the competent maintenance and repair of existing infrastructure have become vital as climate change and global warming take their toll.

“Industry professionals and their employers have seen unprecedented devastation first-hand in recent years and months. A sound theoretical knowledge of concrete will enable construction practitioners to solve and prevent many problems – before they happen,” Roxburgh explains.

“They will be able to ensure that the specified concrete’s properties meet the needs of the size, shape and type of structure, and consider external ambient and internal thermal conditions. The professionals will be able to advise on placement techniques and other good concrete site practices – particularly curing requirements. Also, their concrete knowledge will help ensure that the concrete’s strength, durability and surface finish specifications are met,” he continues.

Course highlights

The SCT30 course, which includes laboratory sessions, covers important aspects such as:

• properties of concrete

• concrete mix design and production

• mix design for specialised applications

• off-shutter and architectural finishes

• formwork, reinforcement and join

• defects, blemishes and repairs

• mixing water and chemical admixtures

• temperature’s effects on concrete quality

• placing, compaction, protection and curing of concrete.

Professionals who successfully completed SCT30 can increase their concrete skills even further via more advanced training, culminating in the globally respected Advanced Concrete Technology (ACT) certification.

A universal need

“Municipal and government departments dealing with infrastructural development, construction companies, cement producers, admixture suppliers, readymix concrete companies, concrete testing laboratories, precast concrete factories, structural consulting firms, architectural and quantity surveying businesses, as well as project development and management businesses these days cannot do without the input and services of a person competent in concrete technology,” says Roxburgh.

“Mining engineers would also benefit from this training for their certificates of competency and there is also the exciting and multifaceted field of decorative concrete to broaden the scope for concrete technologists. In fact, our SCT30 course could be the launching pad for all industry professionals,” Roxburgh concludes.

For full details about qualification for SCT30, as well as other courses planned by the school in 2023, phone +27 (0)11 315 0300, email rennisha.sewnarain@cemcon-sa.org.za or visit www.cemcon-sa.org.za.