SIKA SA CHOSEN TO SUPPLY DURBAN POINT WATERFRONT RENOVATION

Durban Point waterfront development appointed Stefanutti Stocks as the main contractor to undertake this incredible project. Sika was incredibly privileged when Nako-illiso Engineers specified its range to be used in phase 1 of the Durban Point Waterfront development: the extension and renovation of the Durban Point Promenade.

Durban Point Promenade is part of the major development that will extend from the existing Durban promenade all the way from the Umgeni River mouth to the harbour entrance at North Pier. The Durban Point Promenade includes the existing effluent trench and two levels the Point Water Clubs below, with the actual Promenade walkway and Amphitheatre above.

The Point Promenade was designed with a suspended ground floor slab, with ground beams supported on CFA piles, pile caps and associated connections. In the very unlikely occurrence of a massive storm surge breaching the high tide mark, the foundations together with a sheet pile wall would ensure the structure remains intact. To mimic the habitat of waves gently caressing the shoreline, the cantilever on the front (sea facing) side of the promenade was designed with lines and curves.

On the lower club and Promenade level Sika Antisol E curing compound was used to cure the concrete. Separol GU ZA shutter release oil was used on all the steel formwork, which formed part of the columns on the Promenade and lower club level that support the upper deck.

All the walls and facades on the lower club level were primed and sealed with Sika Primer- 3N and Sikaflex Construction. For the construction and expansion joints in the effluent trench and lower club and promenade level Sika’s closed cell polyethylene backing cord was used as a joint former, followed by Sika Primer-3N as a joint primer to the face of the joints. Given the importance of the joints and the requirement for a total waterproof seal; Sikaflex Pro-3 i-cure was specified for this crucial task.

The Sikadur-31 DW and Combiflex SG bandage system was recessed below the Sikaflex Pro-3 i-cure as a secondary seal to ensure all joints were totally watertight.

On the Promenade level, Sikadur-52 ZA, which is a low viscosity crack injection resin, was used to permanently fill all shrinkage cracks in the upper deck concrete structure. Sikalastic-152, applied together with a glass fibre mesh, ensured a watertight barrier over all these shrinkage cracks. All stainless steel handrails along the Promenade were anchored using SikaGrout-212.

In addition to the wide range of products used across the site, SikaTop Armatec-110 Epocem bonding primer was used with our Sika Monotop range of mortars for general defects. To counter the possibility of graffiti, and facilitate its removal, Sikagard-850 AG, a single component anti-graffiti coating, will be used on the northern and southern side of the promenade. Sikagard-705 L Silane was used as a concrete protection treatment on the front face of the structure below the cantilever, against the ingress of chlorides from the marine environment.

To mimic the habitat of waves gently caressing the shoreline, the cantilever on the front (sea facing) side of the promenade was designed with lines and curves