IN THIS ISSUE:
Zutari achieves specialist ISO certification for BIM
AfriSam builds enhanced learning facilities for school
Konecranes synthetic wire offers total reliability
PRODUCTS
Storm Water
Electrical
Markers
Water Reticulation
Outdoor & Building
Polymer Products
Mining Solutions
Kerb Inlet & Road Products Custom Products
SERVICES Moulds
Drawings
August is Women’s Month and PRECAST is proud to celebrate the many advances which have been made to secure them their rightful places. Women have come into their own at every level of the sector in recent decades and we salute them and the unique blend of business acumen, unremitting hard work and sensitivity which they bring to any boardroom or building site.
In this issue, we also feature a striking story about the lifesaving properties of precast, as was demonstrated in a number of projects in the USA. Also from that country – and equally valuable to the South African industry – is an insightful interview with Justin Koscher, president of the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers’ Association, about increasing energyefficiency from the ground up with below-grade insulation
On the business side, we explore the proposed new single Procurement Bill, which replaces a myriad of prior procurement legislation and which seeks to address corruption. However, Vaughan Hattingh, an executive member of the Construction Adjudication Association of South Africa (CAASA) and director of MDA Construction & Technology Attorneys, explains that for all its noble intentions, the Bill contains many grey areas and loopholes which will need to be addressed before the legislation is passed.
We hope you enjoy this issue and PRECAST wishes all our female colleagues in the industry a happy Women’s Month. Thank you for providing both the steely backbone and the essential human touch in our sector!
15
Sephaku Cement started up a decade ago – and has grown from a vision into a vanguard of the cement sector
AfriSam’s relocated Ulco cement plant in the Northern Cape will be capable of providing security of supply for about 40 years and will need to deliver around two million tons of limestone to Ulco each year. The supply of readymix will include AfriSam cement.
AfriSam’s relocated Ulco cement plant in the Northern Cape will be capable of providing
readymix will include AfriSam cement.
PRECAST is independently published by Isikhova Media (Pty) Ltd Tel: +27 (11) 883 4627 www.isikhova.co.za
PRECAST is independently published by Isikhova Media (Pty) Ltd Tel: +27 (11) 883 4627 www.isikhova.co.za
PRECAST is independently published by Isikhova Media (Pty) Ltd Tel: +27 (11) 883 4627 www.isikhova.co.za
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Operations director: Thuli Majola
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E-mail: imraan@isikhova.co.za
Managing director: Imraan Mahomed E-mail: imraan@isikhova.co.za
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Copy editor: Anne Phillips Media sales: Tel: +27 (11) 883 4627 / 083 450 6052
Infrastructure engineering and advisory practice Zutari has achieved a rare specialist ISO certification for building information modelling (BIM). It underwent a rigorous certification process with renowned international certification body LRQA. Zutari received certification to ISO 19650 at both Lead Appointed Party and Appointed Party levels. The scope of certification includes all Zutari offices in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the Cape Town office and the Tshwane head office in SA.
“Certification demonstrates a commitment to quality and best practices in BIM and information management. This provides Zutari with a competitive advantage when bidding for projects, especially those that require compliance with ISO standards. Adhering to ISO 19650 leads to more efficient processes for managing information throughout
the project life-cycle. This results in cost-savings, fewer errors and smoother project delivery,” says Zutari’s head of digital operations Herman Ferreira.
“To our best knowledge, Zutari is the first African-headquartered company to achieve this sought-after certification,” adds Sonja de Klerk, Zutari’s lead of quality, environment and sustainability. There are currently only three certification bodies worldwide permitted to offer accredited certification to this standard. Zutari has a long relationship with LRQA, its assessor of choice for this endeavour.
Some international companies active in Africa and the Middle East hold ISO 19650 certification, but none which are local to the continent. “We’re very proud that this certification puts Zutari on the map as an advanced digital engineering company and that our BIM Management System reflects the best international practice,” says
De Klerk. “BIM is disrupting the way in which engineering projects are conducted. We’re confident that Zutari is ready for this fundamental shift for the benefit of our clients in the Middle East, Africa, Australia and Europe.”
The certification scheme is so new that the assessments were conducted by Sean McCormick, LRQA’s BIM and BOPAS services lead, based in the UK. Zutari underwent a rigorous assessment process, which included a gap analysis, documentation-focused stage 1 assessment and projectfocused stage 2 assessment.
“The scope of certification includes all Zutari offices in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the Cape Town office and the Tshwane head office in SA.”
The need to plan, design, deliver and manage infrastructure in ways that maximise its value has never been more urgent, particularly in South Africa, where the challenges of harnessing, maintaining and delivering resources – while aligning with the objectives of environmental responsibility – have resulted in nationwide breakdowns, with the resultant impact on communities and industry.
As the world faces an unprecedented energy crisis requiring technical expertise,
creativity and collaboration, leading consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Zutari supports clients in achieving responsible growth across the energy project life-cycle. The organisation’s generation, transmission, distribution, system studies and industrial energy teams combine technical and digital skills to create extraordinary value for clients.
“We combine our deep technical expertise with creative and digital skills
sets to create extraordinary value for our clients,” explains Heskin Mzungu, client director: energy. He believes that meeting environmental, social and governance (ESG), Just Energy Transition (JET) and long-term climate resilience and decarbonisation targets is a fine balancing act. However, Zutari is ideally positioned and resourced to tackle these challenges.
“It looks more positive now, as we’ve received tenders for transmission
projects,” says Mzungu. Here Zutari becomes a single point of contact for clients in this space. Apart from its technical engineering capabilities, it can supply a single solution as owner’s engineer, an independent representative for the project-owner. It provides a critical support role throughout all stages of the asset life-cycle, in addition to project management and quality assurance support.
The JET plan, spanning 20232037, aims for decarbonisation and energy security, outlined in South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2023. Zutari assists clients in navigating complex policies, such as the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP) and the Gas IPP Procurement Programme.
With the unbundling of Eskom and the creation of the National
“The need to plan, design, deliver and manage infrastructure in ways that maximise its value has never been more urgent, particularly in South Africa, where the challenges of harnessing, maintaining and delivering resources – while aligning with the objectives of environmental responsibility – has resulted in nationwide breakdowns, with the resultant impact on communities and industry.”
Transmission Company of SA, Zutari anticipates significant investment in the transmission network. Mzungu emphasises the importance of financial viability in energy projects and Zutari’s role in guiding clients through technical, financial and legal challenges.
The private sector’s investment in renewable energy, alongside coal as a baseload source, provides a more positive energy outlook. Mzungu notes the affordability and scalability of renewable technologies and Zutari’s extensive experience in the sector. While municipalities lag, opportunities exist at local government level.
Looking ahead, he foresees increased private-sector uptake of solar energy, with coal remaining a key energy source. Despite challenges, the energy transition is progressing, with Zutari’s stakeholder engagement enhancing public participation and job creation. Its capability in this regard allows it to assist communities and enormously increase public participation on projects, generating jobs on the ground, and then obviously ensuring that all the necessary permitting is in place. “It’s a complex process with many factors to consider, which is why clients really need the single point of contact we can provide,” says Mzungu.
Our range of locally produced superior quality cement is designed for specialised applications demanding high early strength, enhanced durability and superior concrete. Supported by our dedicated expertise, our superior products are the ultimate choice when compromise is not an option and time is of the essence. Cement Your Legacy and Ask for AfriSam.
Terraforce CC, a South African-based retaining wall block forerunner, has announced the addition of two wellestablished companies, Super Tiles & Marble Pvt Ltd and Hindustan Cement Pipes & Concrete Works, as licensed Terraforce manufacturers in India. This strategic addition to the Terraforce international network will enhance the availability of the organisation’s most cost-effective retaining wall block, the L12 standard, across key regions of that country, catering to the growing demand for sustainable and durable construction materials.
Super Tiles & Marble Pvt Ltd, a wellregarded name in the tile and marble industry based in Bangalore, will now manufacture and distribute Terraforce’s L12 blocks in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Goa. With its established reputation for quality and service, Super Tiles & Marble is well placed to bring Terraforce’s innovative retaining wall system to the forefront of the southern Indian construction market.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Terraforce and offer its pioneering earthretaining solution to our customers,” says Mody Sudhakar, director of Super Tiles & Marble. “This collaboration aligns with
our commitment to providing top-quality building materials that meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability. With a strong team and manufacturing plants spread across southern India, we can cater to customers with competitive logistic costs, as well as prompt and reliable service. Equipped with a large automised capacity, we cater to large orders in a short time.”
Hindustan Cement Pipes & Concrete Works a Nashik, Maharashtra-based leader in the manufacturer precast concrete products for commercial and residential use, will extend Terraforce's reach to the western and central states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Established in 1968, its wide-ranging expertise and state-of-the art machines will ensure the efficient production and distribution of Terraforce’s retaining wall offering, further meeting the diverse needs of its clients in the construction industry in those regions.
“We’re excited to join forces with Terraforce and expand our product offerings to include its L12 retaining wall block,” says Jugal Tank, director of Hindustan Cement Pipes & Concrete Works. “This partnership will enable us to better serve our customers’ erosion control and landscaping needs with a versatile product that’s both durable and
environmentally friendly.”
Hindustan Cement Pipes & Concrete Works boasts state-of-the-art machines with an industry-leading manufacturing facility. Proprietary methodologies at Hindustan provide customers with a wide range of world-class, competitively priced products which can be customised for special requirements.
Its offerings include RCC spun and half-round pipes, RCC septic and water tanks, RCC dustbins, paver blocks, semi-reflective pavers, glossy rubber mould pavers, heavy-duty mono-layer pavers, grass pavers, concrete cobbles, landscaping tiles, chequered tiles, glossy designer tiles, mosaic tiles, lightweight concrete blocks, RCC manhole covers, kerb stones, ready-made boundary walls, garden furniture, natural stones, marbles, granites, Kadappa, Shahabad, pebbles, natural stone cobbles, RCC fencing polls, RCC door frames, RCC grilles, coping stones, guard stones, V-shaped gutters, mile stones and cable covers.
The addition of both companies to the Terraforce licensed manufacturing stable will augment its proud name as a leading player in the international precast concrete sector.
Learn more at mapei.co.za
Tel: +27 11 552 8476
Email: info@mapei.co.za
the sacrificial admixture that deals with the “GREMLINS” in your aggregate.
DYNAMON MS100 is an innovative, high-quality sacrificial admixture which is ideal for use with super absorbent aggregate on site.
It has been developed to accommodate various site conditions and raw material characteristics and should be used with your chosen superplasticizer.
When your aggregate is not working with you, trust DYNAMON MS100 to get it back in line.
From the foundation to the roof - MAPEI is your solutions partner
An interview with Justin Koscher, president of the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers’ Association (PIMA)
Why is it important to insulate a building’s below-grade elements?
As the saying goes, a team is only as strong as its weakest link – the lack of code-compliant insulation in exterior below-grade applications can compromise a building’s overall thermal performance. Underscoring this point, reports by the US Department of Energy (DOE) suggest that under-insulated, below-grade applications can account for approximately 20% of a building’s total energy loss, depending on building type and location. Importantly, the vulnerability for energy loss via below-grade elements of a building must, in almost every case, be addressed at the time of initial construction.
Insulating below-grade or below-slab applications with high-performing materials like polyiso continuous insulation can address this energy drain and in turn, increase a building’s energy-efficiency. Polyiso is a closed-cell foam insulation that offers one of the highest R-values per inch compared with other insulation options. In below-grade applications, polyiso isolates the foundation from ground temperatures, reducing heat loss through floors and basement walls. Polyiso is lightweight and easy to handle and cut on the jobsite. The product is manufactured with durable facers that help to reduce jobsite damage and breakage. Polyiso products are available in a variety of options and project teams should consult polyiso manufacturers to determine the appropriate product for below-grade applications.
“Polyiso’s high R-value per centimetre also means project teams can receive more product per truckload, reducing the number of deliveries to the job site and space required for material staging.”
Below-grade applications are susceptible to prolonged water exposure from surrounding soil. How does this factor impact the performance of polyiso products? Yes, demanding environmental conditions that present the risk for moisture intrusion
can have an impact on an insulation’s performance and its service life. However, in addition to providing proven thermal resistance, polyiso’s closed-cell structure inherently resists moisture – a key performance factor when specifying insulation products for ground contact applications.
To test its moisture performance, an independent laboratory subjected polyiso with its facing materials removed (ie foam core only) to various moisture-loading and temperature (freeze-thaw) conditions. The test conditions are designed to drive moisture into and throughout the material. The results showed that polyiso experienced only a slight increase in measured moisture content, remaining well below the maximum limit of 0,3% by volume typically observed in other common below-grade products. Polyiso’s thermal performance also showed no significant decline, even after prolonged moisture exposure.
The experiment highlights polyiso’s inherent moisture-resistance as a closed-cell foam and its ability to protect foundations from moisture intrusion. This performance protects polyiso’s long-term durability and its industry-leading thermal-resistance properties. This all translates into enhanced building envelope energyefficiency.
In addition to improved thermal efficiency, can polyiso resist the structural loads from the building and ground backfill?
Absolutely. While thermal efficiency and moisture-resistance are critical in below-grade applications, an insulation material also needs to exhibit excellent compressive strength. Below-grade insulation must perform under various loads, including those created by backfill and hydrostatic pressure. Polyiso is a versatile solution, manufactured and field-proven to deliver the necessary compressive strength, which is derived from the material’s closed-cell foam core. Polyiso products are available with a labelled compressive strength of 25psi, which meets the performance specifications for most below-grade
applications.
Polyiso, as a durable rigid foam board, is manufactured to resist deformation and maintain its integrity when faced with changing environmental conditions below-grade. Polyiso’s foam core and durable facing materials stand up to job site conditions that include backfilling foundation walls and pouring concrete slabs. This durability also protects a foundation’s waterproofing or damp-proofing from any damage caused by surrounding backfill.
Are there any added performance benefits to using polyiso in below-grade applications? When used below-grade, polyiso plays an important role in meeting or exceeding thermal resistance targets for the building envelope. A building envelope constructed with continuous insulation – from the roof to walls to below-grade – is critical to reducing the load on heating and cooling systems. Improved building energy-efficiency reduces energy waste, saves money and creates more comfortable indoor environments.
Polyiso’s high R-value per centimetre also means project teams can receive more product per truckload, reducing the number of deliveries to the job site and space required for material staging. These savings add up, when you consider material staging prior to and on job sites. For example, to meet an R-10 code requirement for below-grade insulation, teams will need to specify 5,08cm of XPS insulation. However, an R-10 can be met with approximately 3,81cm of polyiso insulation – a saving of up to 25%. What does this mean for owners, dis -
tributors and contractors? Twenty-five percent less floor space in distribution warehouses, 25% fewer truckloads for delivery and 25% less volume of material for job site staging and installation.
For more information on using polyiso in below-grade applications, refer to PIMA’s:
Technical Bulletin Series on below-grade applications or visit www.polyiso.org
“The product is manufactured with durable facers that help to reduce jobsite damage and breakage. Polyiso products are available in a variety of options and project teams should consult polyiso manufacturers to determine the appropriate product for below-grade applications.”
AVOID CONCRETE STRENGTH DELAYS. As winter approaches, the colder ambient temperatures can cause delays in concrete strength development as well as finishing aspects. Rest assured, this challenge can be easily overcome using CHRYSO’s Premia Range of admixtures and demoulding agents.
AfriSam, a leading construction materials company, has completed a project to enhance the learning environment at Ningizimu Special School in Durban. The initiative involved the construction of three new classrooms and the renovation of the school’s ablution facilities. The upgraded facilities will greatly benefit the school’s Grades R-6 pupils.
Ningizimu Special School is dedicated to providing quality education and support to children with special needs. The school plays a crucial role in the community, ensuring that every child has access to inclusive education and the opportunity to realise their full potential. Recognising the importance of this institution, AfriSam took on the responsibility of improving the school’s infrastructure to create a conducive learning environment.
The construction of the three new classrooms allows the school to accommodate more pupils with special needs and for these pupils to have more room to engage in interactive and collaborative learning activities.
In addition to the new classrooms, AfriSam renovated the ablution facilities at Ningizimu Special School. The upgraded facilities now provide a clean and hygienic environment for the children. This improvement is essential for their well-being and ensures that they have access to proper sanitation
facilities throughout the school day.
Speaking about the project, Senzi Mabaso, community development professional for AfriSam, said: “We’re proud to have been able to contribute to the development of Ningizimu Special School. Education is a fundamental right and every child deserves a safe and inclusive learning environment. By building the new classrooms and renovating the ablution facilities, we hope to
empower the pupils and enable them to thrive academically.”
The completion of this project is a testament to AfriSam’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and its dedication to making a positive impact on the communities where it operates. The company believes that investing in education is crucial for the sustainable development of society and the empowerment of future generations.
Ningizimu Special School expressed
its gratitude to AfriSam for its generous support. The upgraded facilities will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the pupils, enabling them to receive a quality education in an environment that fosters growth and inclusivity.
“Ningizimu
Special School is dedicated to providing quality education and support to children with special needs. The school plays a crucial role in the community, ensuring that every child has access to inclusive education and the opportunity to realise their full potential. Recognising the importance of this institution, AfriSam took on the responsibility of improving the school’s infrastructure to create a conducive learning environment.”
Konecranes’ synthetic wire delivers improved performance, total reliability and enhanced safety.
“Konecranes innovative synthetic wire rope delivers improved performance, total reliability with enhanced safety to S-Series hoists and associated equipment where it matters most – on the factory floor. Konecranes was the first to introduce synthetic rope into its standard product and this has resulted in our synthetic wire rope becoming the industry benchmark,” says Ian Grobler, sales manager for Konecranes and Demag SA.
Konecranes synthetic wire rope reduces wear on the drum and reeving components due to less surface pressure and friction. The Dyneema fibre used in the synthetic composition makes it more durable than steel wire and eliminates lubrication, resulting in reduced maintenance costs.
“Konecranes was the first industrial overhead cranes company to use the Dyneema fibre as standard for hoisting. Dyneema is one of the world’s strongest fibres that’s been used for more than 30 years in demanding rigging applications such as lifting slings, mooring and towing large sea vessels,” says Grobler.
The synthetic rope is perfect for reeving and its stable symmetric structure eliminates traditional rope defects. Less surface pressure reduces wear and tear
considerably. It is strong, durable, visible and easy to handle.
The synthetic wire rope has undergone rigorous testing such as:
• Splicing – the splicing proves to be the strongest part of the synthetic rope in splicing tests.
• Chemical testing – tested in hydrochloric acid for five hours, the synthetic rope showed no damage, while the steel rope splintered and then broke first on the test bed.
• Grinding and sparks.
• Sharp-edge testing was conducted on the synthetic wire by Konecranes’ research and development technicians.
“Comparative tests with steel rope were also conducted reflecting the superior strength of the synthetic rope in pressure testing, with the steel rope breaking first. The synthetic rope consistently exceeds a
breaking strength of 5,1,” says Grobler.
Synthetic rope is also less vulnerable for traditional rope defects such as birdcaging or kinks, thereby reducing replacement costs. It is easier and safer to handle due to its lighter weight – 80% lighter than steel rope – and it does not fray or produce the sharp barbs common on steel wire rope, reducing the chance of hand injuries.
For further information, visit: www.konecranes.com.
“Konecranes synthetic wire rope reduces wear on the drum and reeving components due to less surface pressure and friction.”
Manufacturing concrete products is an industry segment that faces its own special demands – and AfriSam’s 90 years of experience allow it to take some of the weight of these challenges off its customers.
“Some of the country’s leading concrete product manufacturers [CPMs] have been our customers for over 40 years,” says Adele Wentzel, sales manager: cement manufacturing Gauteng at AfriSam. “Relationships like these give us real insight into their daily concerns and how we can add value to their operations.”
With its need for efficient production lines and quick cycle times, the CPM segment relies extensively on AfriSam’s Rapid Hard (52,5R) cement and its High Strength (42,5R) cement. Concrete products need to be removed from moulds as quickly as possible and, in most cases, there are stringent demands on quality, finish and strength.
“While many customers have applications that need our ‘Rolls Royce’ product – the Rapid Hard cement – there are also segments where their concrete products are better suited to other classes of cement,” explains Wentzel. “Whatever the application, though, customers rely on the AfriSam service team to ensure they
receive the right cement and the optimal mix to achieve the best results.”
Among current priorities in the CPM segment is reducing energy consumption, as steam-curing is generally energy-intensive. A key resource for AfriSam customers is its Centre for Product Excellence (CPE), which helps find innovative and cost-effective solutions.
“The CPE’s depth of expertise – backed up by sophisticated testing and laboratory infrastructure – means there are specialists available in the field of concrete products,” says Wentzel. “One of our initiatives has been a collaboration with a leading admixture provider, combining our skills and products with theirs to find ways of reducing costs for customers.”
These initiatives include focused interventions for customers to achieve strategic improvements in their operational efficiency, she notes.
“Our ability to provide these value-adds stems from the trust we’ve built over many years within the CPM segment through
sustained relationships,” she emphasises. “Throughout the years, we’ve practically demonstrated our contribution to customers’ businesses, providing a tangible contribution and literally cementing the necessary trust.”
This trust is a vital foundation for a segment faced with varying levels of load-shedding, as CPMs rely heavily on electricity supply for curing concrete products.
“With our flexibility, responsiveness and qualified specialist advice, we help customers to manage operational uncertainties while still ensuring the highest quality of product,” says Wentzel.
“Some of the country’s leading concrete product manufacturers [CPMs] have been our customers for over 40 years.”
AfriSam’s Rapid Hard Cement allows for quicker setting and mould stripping times.
There can be no dispute that our current procurement systems help facilitate corruption. Every single day we read of fraudulently awarded contracts. with millions of rands being paid to contractors who abscond with the project only partly completed and, in some instances, not even started.
In light of the above, a single Procurement Bill which replaces a myriad of prior procurement legislation, and
which seeks to address corruption, is welcomed.
However, in its current format, the Bill gives ministers and departments the discretionary authority to establish their own empowerment criteria and targets. In addition, regulations which underpin the Bill must still be developed and published. The Bill also needs to comply with the provisions of the Constitution, which stipulate that a procurement system must
be equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective. As with all legislation, the devil is in the details and it remains to be seen whether the Bill will pass constitutional muster when challenged.
Meaningful transformation is one of the key principles of the Public Procurement Bill. Once signed into law, it will regulate and prescribe public procurement practices.
Public procurement will be targeted specifically at uplifting black-owned
small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) that sub-contract to principal contractors, especially those at the lower rungs of the Construction Industry Development Board’s (CIDB’s) Register of Contractors. According to the CIDB, there are sufficient construction SMMEs across all the wards, districts and provinces to work alongside principal contractors on small construction projects. However, the availability of black sub-contracting skills and experience decline significantly as projects become more complex. This demonstrates a real need to develop black-owned sub-contracting capacity. This can only be done by extending the definition of “value for money” when contracting construction services. It should also encompass meaningful transformation, which includes building black-owned sub-contracting capacity to participate in the anticipated “tsunami” of government infrastructure projects in the pipeline.
However, in order to achieve the level of transformation required, it is important to reassess the way in which sub-contracting is largely being undertaken in the country. This is considering that issues, such as late and non-payment, undermine transformation.
“While an important means of empowering previously disadvantaged contractors and transforming the construction industry, a vibrant subcontracting sector is also crucial to the sustainability of the construction industry. This business practice enables principal contractors to deal with uncertainties in the construction market and reduce operating costs and, in this way, improve their competitiveness. It impacts across all spheres of the construction industry, including division of labour, employment, productivity, quality and health, safety and environmental practices,” says Vaughan Hattingh, an executive member of the
Construction Adjudication Association of South Africa (CAASA) and director of MDA Construction & Technology Attorneys.
Via CAASA, the industry has already taken a major step towards providing some measure of protection to sub-contractors that previously had no or very limited recourse in the case of abuse, including late or non-payment by principal contractors. CIDB Grades 1, 2 and 3 contractors are especially at risk when they are paid up to 120 days after delivering construction services. Many of them then leave the industry indefinitely to find more sustainable livelihoods in other sectors.
CAASA’s Rules for Low Value Dispute Adjudication (LVDA) provide a growing band of emerging contractors and subcontractors with a cost-effective means of dispute resolution. The LVDA fixes an hourly rate to the adjudicator’s fee, capping it to a specified maximum amount which is linked to the low-value dispute amount claimed. In this way, certainty is provided to the parties as to how much the adjudicator will be paid for making the decision and the period within which it will be published. Moreover, the LVDA attempts to limit the amount of documentation and material that parties are allowed to submit to further streamline the process.
While this is a solid start, Hattingh believes that a significant paradigm shift is necessary in the way in which procurement entities, principal contractors and subcontractors engage. At present, employers only have contractual relationships with main contractors which, in turn, engage sub-contractors. This leaves construction SMMEs vulnerable to dire and shameful practices, the most common of which is late or non-payment.
These practices persist despite the CIDB’s Best Practice Guideline D1: Subcontracting Arrangements, which was
“While an important means of empowering previously disadvantaged contractors and transforming the construction industry, a vibrant sub-contracting sector is also crucial to the sustainability of the construction industry.”
published as early as 2004.
In this document, the CIDB notes that sub-contracting is an important method of ensuring participation of SMMEs in public-sector procurement activities. Yet state procurement organs only have a contractual relationship with principal contractors. Sub-contracting issues are the least of their concerns, which they pass on to the principal contractor to manage. A case in point are standard forms of contracts used by state-owned entities that increasingly shift responsibility further down the responsibility chain.
As early as then, the board identified a need to address shortcomings in subcontracting arrangements, especially with regard to engineering and construction contracts. To ensure that sub-contractors are engaged in terms of fair conditions that are recorded in writing, it recommends that sub-contracts be regulated in public sector procurement.
This requirement for transparent and fair public procurement practices, enshrined in the South African Constitution under Section 217, is also echoed in the Draft Public Procurement Bill. “I therefore believe that it’s time to revisit Section 217, considering the prevalence of ‘outlawed’ practices that compromise the sustainability of subcontractors and SMMEs,” says Hattingh.
These “outlawed” practices are outlined in the CIDB guideline. They include “paid-when-paid” or “no-pay-ifnot-paid” clauses and a “right of set-offs” in favour of the principal contractor that
are not provided for in law. This is in addition to authoritarian rights afforded to main contractors or their agents, with no recourse given to adjudication in the event of a dispute with a sub-contractor.
The CIDB is also a staunch proponent of alternative dispute resolution procedures, such as CAASA’s LVDA, that provide construction SMMEs with an efficient and cost-effective way of resolving disputes. It is opposed to the common practice by main contractors of insisting on only using formal proceedings, such as arbitration and litigation, which are often beyond the reach of construction SMMEs and emerging contractors. Further practices that stifle the development of emerging contractors is the retention of unreasonable percentages after a contract
has been completed and conditions in subcontracts that are more onerous than those of the principal contractor.
The guideline also references the fair and transparent principles in the Master Builders South Africa (MBSA) and the South African Forum for Civil Engineering Contractors’ (SAFCEC) series of sub-contract. This includes that sub-contractors observe, perform and comply with principal contract provisions insofar as they relate to the
“Via CAASA, the industry has already taken a major step towards providing some measure of protection to sub-contractors that previously had no or very limited recourse in the case of abuse, including late or nonpayment by principal contractors. CIDB Grades 1, 2 and 3 contractors are especially at risk when they are paid up to 120 days after delivering construction services.”
sub-contract and are not inconsistent with the provisions thereof. Moreover, MBSA and the SAFCEC note that sub-contractors have similar rights, powers and responsibilities as the principal contractor when interpreting the provision of the main contract when they relate and apply to the sub-contract. They also prohibit privity between the employer and the main contractor. Lastly, the terms of the contract, as they apply to the sub-contractor and the terms of the sub-contract that influence the price and assessment of risk, should be clearly and concisely stated at tender stage.
This seldom happens in the majority of cases in which Hattingh is involved with sub-contractors. He attributes this to the perceived safety in passing obligations and liabilities towards the employer through to sub-contractors. This approach can be a convenient means of transferring risks and obligations down the chain of responsibility and it is thus essential for large and complex projects. However, so-called “back-toback” schemes are being abused and their inadequate drafting is giving rise to disputes which are particularly complex to resolve.
In many instances, sub-contractors agree to these unfair conditions because they simply do not understand basic forms of construction contracts. This is a challenge that the Joint Building Construction Committee is addressing by providing site-specific basic training in construction contract law to construction SMMEs.
Hattingh certainly anticipates more examples of underhanded subcontracting practices to surface as CAASA’s LVDA gains traction in the industry.
This is especially considering the indefinite shelving of the proposed Draft Prompt Payment and Adjudication Regulations because they were deemed ultra vires. Therefore, they would not pass constitutional validity threshold, if challenged. Hattingh and the CAASA were extensively involved in commenting on the draft standard and regulations, which were regarded by many experts as a sound step in the right direction and
which have had significant success in other countries where adjudication is mandatory.
The issue of late and non-payment is also adequately addressed in the CIDB’s Best Practice Project Assessment Scheme: Standard for Minimum Requirements for Engaging Contractors and Sub-contractors on Construction Works, which was issued in 2018.
According to the CIDB, the date on which payment to the sub-contractor becomes due and payable is the date determined in the contract. However, this may not be later than 30 days after the date on which the subcontractor has submitted the statement for payment according to the contract. It also suggests the manner of recourse to be taken by sub-contractors if they have not been paid within this period. They can request in writing that the employer confirm in written correspondence within 15 days whether the principal contractor has been paid
in full or part for work completed.
In this standard, the CIDB again emphasises the need for a written contract to exist between principal contractor and sub-contractor and for the standard forms to be used with minimal contract amendments that do not change the intended use. The exception is when amendments need to be included to accommodate special needs.
“It’s going to take a long time to get this model right, which relies on the relationships between sub-contractor, main contractor and employer. Meaningful change won’t happen by the employer simply dictating terms for engagement. Until then, our LVDA provides some measure of protection to sub-contractors who simply can’t afford conventional adjudication – least of all arbitration and litigation, with their associated costs, time and suffering. This is one solution we already have on the table that will work very effectively if we apply ourselves,” says Hattingh.
As a demolition specialist with a global project footprint, Jet Demolition has undertaken some of the most challenging projects in the world, resulting in being crowned “Best of the Best” at the World Demolition Awards in 2020, competing against colleagues from the USA, Canada and Australia.
This accolade was a career milestone for founder and director Joe Brinkmann, who undertook his first blasting course and underground blasting work in the
USA over 40 years ago.
Brinkmann’s first large demolition project in South Africa was at the Old President Brand Gold Plant in Welkom for Anglo American. He had first approached the mine to sell explosive charges, but was then asked to undertake the turnkey project instead.
“This was our first foray into the heavy industrial demolition space,” comments project and contracts manager Kate Bester.
From there, it was a natural progression into more difficult and demanding demolition projects. A hands-on approach, mechanical interest and aptitude, as well as a fondness for explosives, came together to fuel Brinkmann’s passion for demolition work, which has resulted in a team who share it.
“We realise that the true strength of the company resides in its people. What makes Jet Demolition so special
is how our team members inspire each other to continue learning, developing and growing from strength to strength,” says Bester.
Jet Demolition’s three most challenging projects to date are the following:
In the CBD of Johannesburg, Jet Demolition successfully imploded its tallest-ever reinforced concrete frame building on 24 November 2019. This was the 108m-high, 31-storey Bank of Lisbon building.
“It was one of the most complex projects we’ve ever undertaken. We were also highly conscious and respectful of the fact that three firefighters had lost their lives when a fire broke out in the building in September 2018,” recalls Bester.
Jet Demolition was awarded the contract and presented its main client, the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development, with two options: controlled implosion of the entire structure or a topdown mechanical demolition process. Given the sensitivities surrounding the site itself and concerns about the extent of damage to the structure, the department opted for implosion.
The first step was to resupport the fire-damaged, steel-reinforced concrete building by installing engineered propping with an advance-warning monitoring system to warn of any creepage that could indicate an imminent collapse. Thereafter all the furniture, contents and fixings for the three government departments which had occupied the building, as well as the personal property of the building occupants, had to be removed for off-site storage, for which a man-and-materials hoist was installed.
Jet Demolition carried out a geotechnical investigation, design and installation of lateral support to the basement retaining walls to ensure their stability during and after demolition. The fact that there were no structural drawings available for the building meant it had to physically determine the make-up of the compromised structure and the exact location of services such as electricity, water and fibre-optic cabling.
The main building columns tapered quite dramatically from the bottom to the
top, which required a detailed assessment of the column size and rebar strength at all points. The columns were at their widest in the basement at 1,5m by 1,8m. Breaking up these massive columns posed a major challenge, especially as all the debris had to be contained to prevent damage or injury. The closest building was only 7,8m away.
The team ended up blasting various structural elements on 14 floors in order to guarantee a high level of the explosiveinduced collapse process. It was necessary that the rubble folded into the tightest, most compact form on the way down as it was deposited into the basement, where impact cushions were installed to minimise ground vibration.
An extensive electronic blast initiation system was installed so that each of the 2 363 separate charges could be individually timed and perfectly sequenced in accordance with the implosion design. An important part of the blast design was to spread the detonations as far as possible within the timespan required to set off all the charges.
A total of 914kg of conventional mining and civil engineering explosive was used in the implosion. The charging process itself took nine days to complete, beginning the week prior. Implosion protection curtains were hung 25m high to protect the building façades from any flying debris.
A total of over 60 000m 2 of geotextile fabric, as well as 1 600 rolls of diamondmesh fencing, was used for containment. The implosion took place at about 9.03am. “The time that the first charge went off to everything being down on the deck lasted a thrilling eight seconds, culminating in the most challenging implosion project we’ve undertaken to date,” says Bester.
Three high-rise structures were imploded within 24 hours in the Maradu region of Kochi in Kerala. It marked Jet Demolition’s first foray into India and the first time that a high-rise building in that country was demolished by implosion.
The three high-rise apartment buildings were the 20-storey Holy Faith H2O, the 18-storey Jains Coral Cove and
“Brinkmann’s first large demolition project in South Africa was at the Old President Brand Gold Plant in Welkom for Anglo American. He had first approached the mine to sell explosive charges, but was then asked to undertake the turnkey project instead.”
the 16-storey Golden Kayaloram. The former was imploded successfully on 11 January 2020, while the latter two were imploded successfully the next day. All three buildings were located within 1,5km of each other.
The major concern of the Indian authorities was the safety of the public in this high-density area and surrounding properties, the closest being a school only 6m away from Golden Kayaloram. The solution to protect the school was to effectively split the 16-storey building into two, thereby collapsing it in two directions, avoiding and preserving the school building.
Initial ground investigations revealed that the structures had been built on alluvium in a designated wetland area. This meant that the magnitude of the ground vibrations induced by the implosions was sufficiently low not to cause any damage to surrounding buildings.
Another major challenge was the fasttrack nature of the project. Due to the fact that an urgent demolition order for the three buildings had been issued by the Supreme Court of India for violating building regulations, Jet Demolition had only two-and-a-half months from inception to successful completion. The fast-track project saw the team work 12-16 hours a day, seven days a week, interspersed by the occasional game of street cricket.
With safety being paramount during
“A total of 600kg of cartridge explosives was used, as well as 31 000m of detonating cord and 5 300 blast holes. Due to the tight time-frame, diamond-drill coring was not feasible. Instead, electric percussion drills were used for drilling charge holes in selected and strategic positions, such as the lift-shaft walls.”
the implosions, extensive layers of wire mesh and geotextile cover were placed around the columns where the explosives were fixed, acting as source protection to contain the rubble. Secondary protection included hanging perimeter curtains on the façades of surrounding buildings in order to contain the dust that was generated.
A total of 600kg of cartridge explosives was used, as well as 31 000m of detonating cord and 5 300 blast holes. Due to the tight time-frame, diamond-drill coring was not feasible. Instead, electric percussion drills were used for drilling charge holes in selected and strategic positions, such as the liftshaft walls.
Some 800 national and 300 local police personnel oversaw the evacuation process and traffic control on the day of the implosions themselves. Everything went very much according to plan. “A project of this complexity, within this time-frame and to this level of detail, wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication, co-operation and support of all the stakeholders,” says Bester.
Supertech Twin Towers in Noida, Utter Pradesh, New Delhi, India
The implosion on 28 August 2022 was a collaboration with Edifice Engineering, a leading demolition company based in Mumbai. The successful implosion of the Apex and Cayenne towers (103m and 97m respectively) followed India’s Supreme Court ruling ordering the illegal structures to be demolished. Apex was unique, as it was the tallest building ever to be imploded in India and one of the top 15 tallest buildings to be imploded globally.
The detailed planning and implosion preparation was especially challenging, due to the close proximity of the towers to neighbouring buildings, in addition to their robust construction being able to withstand high-magnitude earthquakes. Test-blasting revealed that unusually high explosive loading was required to reliably fail the shear walls. These shear walls fell into the class of “highly unforgiving” when it came to attempts at explosive-driven rupture.
Due to the 3 516kg of explosives required to successfully fell the structures, the impact and potential for structural
damage to surrounding buildings were significant concerns. There was heightened anxiety among authorities and stakeholders that the adjacent building a mere 9m away, beset with structural degradation, would be further weakened and collapse from implosioninduced vibration.
Dozens of columns were strengthened, beams were back-propped and an array of crack gauges installed to monitor prominent structural cracks – but no movement or crack growth was induced by the implosion. Nearby buildings were draped with geotextile curtains to minimise window breakage.
Minimal superficial impact, with a small number of windows cracked and an 8m section of brick boundary wall to contend with after the implosion, was an extremely satisfying result. Following the successful implosion, Edifice Engineering and India joined the 100m implosion club under extremely demanding conditions. “This project also saw our first foray into navigating the streets of New Delhi on a scooter –even more exciting than the implosions themselves!” notes Bester.
By Susan Bady
Although it occurred more than a quartercentury ago, the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building on a sleepy morning in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is still felt in our nation to this day. The deadliest act of homegrown terrorism in US history serves as a reminder that such acts do not just occur in faraway places. They can happen on any day and on any city’s streets.
Because the federal government and its servants are possible targets, it has become of paramount importance that they are provided the utmost protection as they go about their work. Precast concrete is a vital ingredient in keeping these facilities and their occupants safe. The following examples of military installations and federal courthouses show how precast concrete protects life:
When the US Army Corps of Engineers set out to replace the existing hospital at Fort Hood, Texas, using precast concrete was a no-brainer. Gate Precast Company produced a brick-inlaid, architectural precast concrete exterior wall system in its Hillsboro, Texas, facility for the new Carl R Darnall Army Medical Centre. The mammoth project tops out at nearly 92 903m² and uses nearly 1 000 precast concrete insulated panels embedded with thin brick.
The hospital first opened in 1965 and underwent an expansion in the mid-
2000s; however, the project involved compromises that did not serve patients well, says architect John Bienko, principal and senior project manager in the Dallas office of HKS.
“The army required a brand-new facility with expanded services that would meet Department of Defence [DOD] standards for care at the largest US military base in the world,” he explains.
Darnall serves approximately 45 000 active-duty personnel and nearly 125 000 military family members and retirees within a 64km radius. The new hospital, which is sited on 29,1ha, includes a six-storey, 122-bed hospital tower, two two-storey outpatient clinics, a three-storey outpatient specialty clinic, an ambulance garage, a logistics building, a central utility plant and three parking structures.
The three clinics in the main hospital are interconnected, giving the building a variety of irregular elevations, says Norm Presello of Gate Precast Company. “There’s not a simple, square or rectangular box or a north/south/east/west elevation,” he says. “Also, the building steps back as it rises to the upper levels. The cranes setting the precast walls had to reach higher and further with every increase in level.” There were three cranes on the jobsite: two rentals and the contractor’s tower crane.
“It took juggling – walking all the way around these structures and plugging in different cranes based on the capacity,” says Presello.
Balfour Beatty | McCarthy, a joint venture of Balfour Beatty Construction in Dallas, and McCarthy Building Cos in St
“Precast concrete was more budget-friendly and, most important, it enhanced resilience by providing a stronger base product to minimise the damage caused by high winds.”
Louis, Missouri, was the design-build team for the medical centre.
The blast-resistant precast concrete walls, which are also thermally efficient and pre-insulated, are among several features designed to earn the medical campus LEED gold certification. One of the sustainable measures includes a 30% reduction in energy use over ASHRAE Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. The wall panels feature a continuous layer of insulation between the building’s interior and exterior, preventing thermal bridging that can nullify the effect of the insulation, says Presello. Insulating the walls is effective in eliminating moisture transmission, which can cause mould, a huge concern for hospitals.
The project was also subject to progressive collapse criteria developed by
After an extensive renovation, the Pensacola Federal Building and US Courthouse has re-opened for business. The precast concrete panels on the exterior are clad in limestone that came from the same quarry as the stone on the Empire State Building. Photograph: John Thomas Photography
the DOD. These design requirements reduce the potential of progressive collapse for new and existing facilities that experience localised structural damage due to normally unforeseeable events. Buildings of three or more storeys are subject to greater risk of progressive collapse and must therefore comply with these standards, regardless of the standoff distance provided. Stand-off distance is needed to keep threats away from the building and can be achieved through such deterrents as benches, fences, lampposts and bicycle racks.
The project cost $534 million and was a joint venture of HKS, Dallas and Wingler & Sharp Architects & Planners, Wichita Falls, Texas. The structural engineers were Cagley & Associates, Rockville, Maryland.
Built in 1997 by the US General Services Administration (GSA), the Pensacola Federal Building and US Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida, was plagued by water-intrusion issues before it even opened for public use. For nearly 20 years, the federal government spent millions of dollars trying to solve the problem, but ultimately the building had to be evacuated due to health concerns about black mould. A renovation was in order.
GSA’s goals included improving, where possible, the aesthetics of the building, says Christopher Noel, senior vice-president of TTV Architects in Jacksonville, Florida. “It had to present the image of a US courthouse – to have that sense of permanence about it,” says Noel. The courthouse also had to be designed and built to withstand blasts and natural disasters such as hurricanes.
To correct water-intrusion problems, the existing brick façade would need to be removed and replaced. Various scenarios were analysed for the façade, including a mix of brick and precast concrete. An allprecast concrete exterior with limestone embedded in the panels was judged the best way to meet GSA’s tight schedule and budget.
“Precast concrete made the most sense,” says Noel. “The panels only have panelto-panel joints, as opposed to what you’d have with brick or some other material, which reduced the number of joints we had to deal with.” Precast concrete was more budget-friendly and, most important, it enhanced resilience by providing a stronger base product to minimise the damage caused by high winds, says Clay Hudson of Gate Precast Company in Monroeville, Alabama, which supplied the panels for the project. A total of 384 pieces of precast concrete were used and the project size was 4 617m².
“Because of the tight site conditions, precast was chosen to minimise the
footprint impact of site work and expedite the schedule,” adds Hudson.
He recalls several logistical challenges, including a lack of staging area, a four-lane state highway on one side of the building and a four-lane city road on another side. “Gate Precast had to procure an off-site laydown area for trailers to be stored ahead of erection,” he says.
From the beginning, contractor WG Yates & Sons pressed sub-contractors to make them fully aware of the waterintrusion issues on the existing building and urged them to ensure the same issues did not occur with the remodel, says Hudson.
“From a precast standpoint, this meant pre-welding our connections through a concrete-masonry unit block wall so that the waterproofing sub-contractor could seal all penetrations through the wall, which assists in eliminating water intrusion,” he says. “Design and installation of the precast connections were a little tricky, with the building already being enclosed by the block wall.”
The scope of the remodel, which was completed in April 2020, encompassed mould abatement, replacement of the façade and standing-seam metal roof system, and repairs to structural damage. Work included the installation of a weather barrier, as well as a new roof. The firesafety system and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system were upgraded to include installation of variable air volume boxes and a new building automation system to better control humidity. Accessibility features were improved and the building was renovated to comply with Florida’s current hurricane standards.
In addition, the grounds and approaches to the courthouse were restored and the parking area repaved, along with other upgrades to improve stormwater drainage that are calibrated to 100-year storm surge levels.
The project cost $33 million. The lead designers were Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners, Washington, DC and the structural engineers were the Thornton Tomasetti Group, New York, NY.
Reprinted with permission of Building Enclosure magazine, www.buildingenclosuremagazine.com
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