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Civil Engineering and Construction

Geosynthetic products produce a sealing barrier for diverse applications

By: Simone Liedtke 17th November 2017 Geosynthetic products manufacturer and supplier Fibertex South Africa (SA) distributes a comprehensive range of NAUE Geosynthetics products designed for use as efficient sealing barriers, in a range of diverse applications, including construction projects. →

Industry suffers when large companies close down

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th November 2017 From a global consulting engineers’ perspective, construction industries globally suffer the consequences when large construction companies close down. →

CHRIS CAMPBELL CESA encourages its consulting engineering member firms to be more involved in business groups that lobby for more political certainty

PMSA Batching Solutions

17th November 2017 Being a supplier of concrete equipment in Africa for over 40 years, PMSA provides wet batching plant solutions for customers in the civil sector for renewable energy such as wind and solar plants, conventional power stations, dam construction, roads and bridges; on-site mobile batching plants for... →

SA lacking global competitiveness

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th November 2017 Local legislation, including stringent policy frameworks, continues to prove cumbersome for the South African construction sector, particularly owing to the necessity to conduct socioeconomic- and environmental-impact assessments, as well as obtain approval from the respective government... →

SOCIOECONOMIC BENEFITS Authorities would do well to accelerate the pace of affordable housing delivery, such as Reconstruction and Development Programme housing

African models boost construction development

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th November 2017 Owing to various African countries’ having secured sovereign funding for construction projects that are being planned or in the process of implementation, these countries have the potential to promote rapid gross domestic product (GDP) growth, says consultancy firm WSP. →

VISHAAL LUTCHMAN There is a lot more awareness around projects, and legislation, and people are more vocal about the impacts of development projects on their circumstances

Commitment to quality boosts confidence in specialised product

By: Robyn Wilkinson 17th February 2017 Construction solutions provider a.b.e. Construction Chemicals is seeing growing confidence in the use of specialised coatings in the South African construction industry, proving that the company’s commitment to high quality and durability in its product range continues to be a successful strategy... →

BRETT LARSEN a.b.e. Construction Chemicals focuses on prioritising good quality standards and keeping up to date with product advancements

Expansion project to support economy and create job opportunities

By: Simone Liedtke 17th February 2017 Professional and technical services firm AECOM will oversee the construction of the Tema Port expansion project in Ghana for Meridian Port Services (MPS), operator of the container terminal at the existing adjacent port. The project is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2019. →

TEMA PORT EXPANSION The project is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2019

Familiarity with building contracts essential for emerging contractors

By: Robyn Wilkinson 17th February 2017 Failure to fully familiarise oneself with the contents of a building contract can cause conflict between parties and result in costly problems, says nonprofit industry representative the Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC) CEO Uwe Putlitz. →

UWE PUTLITZ Most disputes between building contractors can be avoided by following the provisions in the building contract

Challenging times call for innovation

By: Robyn Wilkinson 17th February 2017 It remains imperative for companies to remain innovative, especially amid the construction industry’s facing a dilemma, with local infrastructure – including power, road, water and sewerage infrastructure – in dire need of upgrading, while very little money is being spent on civil construction... →

HOISTS GAIN POPULARITY SA French’s high-speed rack and pinion hoists are proving to be an effective complement to traditional tower cranes

Conference to boost key partnerships

By: Robyn Wilkinson 17th February 2017 Industry representative Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) will host the twenty-fourth International Federation of Consulting Engineers’ Group of African Member Associations (FIDIC GAMA) Conference – one of the biggest networking events for African consulting engineers – in Cape Town from... →

CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL CESA aims to achieve a more inclusive approach to infrastructure development in Africa

Partnership crucial in addressing housing shortfall

By: Robyn Wilkinson 17th February 2017 Demonstrating the potential for the success of private-public partnerships, residential property developer Calgro M3 and construction products supplier PPC have partnered to upgrade an informal settlement along the Fleurhof dam, in Johannesburg, into a fully integrated city. →

DEVELOPMENT AT FLEURHOF 9 600 housing units together with infrastructure for community services will be completed along the Fleurhof dam by 2018

Quay wall construction completed in Durban

17th February 2017 Specialist geotechnical contractor Franki Africa has completed construction of a 175-m-long quay wall with a draft of 12.3 m for marine engineering company Dormac’s new floating dock at its marine works facility in Durban. →

NEW QUAY WALL An aerial view of the 175 m wall completed by Franki Africa for Dormac’s new floating dock in Durban

PMSA

By: Zandile Mavuso 17th February 2017 Being a supplier of concrete equipment in Africa for over forty years, PMSA provides wet batching plant solutions for customers in the Civil sector for renewable energy such as wind and solar plants, conventional power stations, dam construction, roads and bridges, in the Building contractor... →

Quality key for the construction sector

By: Robyn Wilkinson 17th February 2017 Industry association the Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) is taking a proactive role in ensuring that a high level of quality is instituted and maintained throughout the civil engineering and construction sector’s supply chain. →

BENEFITS OF PRECAST Precast concrete is gaining popularity as a cost-effective and efficient solution that can help to facilitate good quality construction work

Committee concerned by lack of contracts in construction

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th November 2016 The lack of awareness among smaller, and so-called emerging building contractors in the civil engineering and construction industry about protecting their interests through proper contract documentation is alarming, says the Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC). “At least 100 000 people are... →

LOW STANDARD OF QUALIFICATIONS Emerging contractors lack communication and administrative skills

Hesitancy in the construction industry owing to lack of funds

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th November 2016 Engineering professional services consulting firm WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff highlights that there is a fair amount of uncertainty in the construction and infrastructure industry given the negative influences affecting it as a whole. WSP divisional director Michael Bouwmeester points out that... →

INVESTMENTS REMAIN STAGNANT Mega projects in the infrastructure industry are subdued at the moment owing to the lack of funds

Company celebrates long-time continuous operations in Africa

11th November 2016 This month geotechnical contractor Franki Africa celebrates seventy years of continuous operation in Africa. The company highlights that it is more motivated than ever to move forward vigorously in spite of challenging times in the construction industry. “Seventy years is a significant milestone... →

PILED FOUNDATION PROJECTS Franki has constructed several massive basements in Sandton

Company obtains global GreenTag certification

11th November 2016 Cement manufacturer and supplier Lafarge South Africa (SA), in August, announced that it had recently become the only building materials company in the country to provide the construction industry with environment-friendly level C global certification system Global GreenTag-certified products.... →

Photo by Lafarge South Africa
COMMUNITY OUTREACH The company's ambition is to facilitate the building of better homes

Company targets major construction contracts

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th November 2016 Construction, civils and housing company Motheo Construction Group is upgrading the on- and off-ramps at the Engen Blockhouse on the R59, in Vereeniging, which is scheduled for completion in January. Having started in September, the project comprises earthworks that mainly consist of the... →

PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION Motheo Construction civils division specialises in the construction of roads and earthworks

Organisation responds to skills shortage in industry

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th November 2016 Credit and investment insurance solutions provider Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC) highlights that its belief in the socioeconomic development potential of the country has led it to adopt skills development for the construction industry as one of the focus areas at its... →

Effective construction materials delivered to Dukathole project

By: Kimberley Smuts 11th November 2016 Concrete brick, block and paving machinery manufacturer Pan Mixers South Africa (PMSA) supplied a new PMSA VB4X plant to Dukathole Brickworks, in the Eastern Cape, that will manufacture M9, M6, M4, Maxi, Stockbricks, 80 mm paving, 60 mm paving and 50 mm paving for the project. The company details... →

COMMUNITY BENEFITS One of the major benefits from the Dukathole project is the employment opportunities brought to the community

Unlimited scope for design with precast concrete cladding

12th February 2016 Precast concrete cladding provides the designer with substantial freedom in the choice of form, texture and appearance, says The Concrete Institute MD Bryan Perrie. →

FAIRSCAPE PRECINCT Concrete cladding can be used innovatively by designers

Construction chemicals producer to open R&D centre in Jet Park

12th February 2016 Construction chemicals producer The Chryso Group’s plans to use South Africa as the springboard for increased penetration into the African continent will be boosted by the establishment of a new research and development (R&D) facility at the Chryso Southern Africa head office in Jet Park, in the... →

THIERRY BERNARD The CEO of Chryso group recently announced the opening of a new research and development centre in Jet Park

Casino expects to open its doors in 2017

By: Lynne Jackson 12th February 2016 Construction company WBHO has been appointed as the principal contractor for the construction of the new Time Square at Menlyn Maine development in Pretoria East. The development follows the approval of the Gauteng Gambling Board for the transfer, by Sun International, of its Morula Casino... →

TIME SQUARE The new development is currently underway at Menlyn Maine

New construction health and safety IT system developed

12th February 2016 Master Builders Association (MBA) North has developed a Construction Health and Safety Information Technological (CHS-IT) system aligned to the requirements of the government’s new construction regulations. The new system will be launched early this year, says MBA North’s past president and... →

Precast products will ease economic challenges

12th February 2016 As emerging market currencies take a pounding on world markets and the rand tests new lows against the US dollar it is prudent for the local construction industry to seek more efficient ways of developing much needed infrastructure and housing. Concrete Manufacturers Association NPC (CMA)... →

PRECAST CONCRETE CMA says precast concrete will lead to more efficient construction

International civil engineering conference to be held in CT

By: Lynne Jackson 12th February 2016 Open-access journal publishing group of India OMICS will host the International Conference on Sustainable Civil Engineering in Cape Town from June 20 to 22. The conference will focus on applying a sustainability concept when designing a structure, and when constructing and maintaining civil... →

CIVIL ENGINEERING The International Conference on Sustainable Civil Engineering will be held in Cape Town in June

Pretoria contractors faced challenges of ‘green’ building

12th February 2016 Pretoria-based building contractor, J.C. van der Linde & Venter Projects, has completed a multimillion-rand contract for the construction of new “green” corporate offices and a warehouse for I-CAT Environmental Solutions. The new sustainable I-CAT campus, in the N4 Gateway Park in Pretoria, was... →

GLAZED FACADE A roof overhang over the north-facing windows of the I-CAT office block

Construction company recognised for achievements

12th February 2016 Construction engineering company Murray and Roberts Western Cape, a division of Murray and Roberts Construction, was named the overall winner in the Building Contractors category of Construction World’s Best Projects 2015 Awards for its work on the Century City Square project. →

Infrastructure products manufacturer receives recognition

By: Lynne Jackson 12th February 2016 Infrastructure products manufacturer, Infrastructure Specialist Group (ISG) has been awarded a Golden Award in the Business Corporate and Listed Companies Category of the Business of the Year Awards by the Roodepoort Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ROCCI) and First National Bank for... →

IS GROUP Representatives of the company accept the award

Construction cost control vital in SA’s shrinking economy

12th February 2016 South Africa’s shrinking economy, coupled with soaring building costs, has made construction cost control more important than ever. “There is an alarming tendency - particularly for major government contacts - to totally omit the quantity surveyor (QS) from the professional team,” cautions... →

Soweto multipurpose facility to open at the end of the year

By: Lynne Jackson 12th February 2016 The new 1 800 m² multipurpose education campus that is being constructed in Soweto is expected to open its doors by December 2016. The education campus building, designed pro bono by New York-based architect, William Reue, will include a suite of flexible multipurpose classrooms, a large... →

VOLUNTEERS Student volunteers helping the community

Urbanisation to trigger construction market growth

By: Lynne Jackson 12th February 2016 Owing to the decline in mining activity because of the global economic downturn, which has also affected the construction industry negatively, Swaziland-based construction group Inyatsi Construction chairperson Frans Pienaar states that business in housing developments will increase for the... →

Foundation piles for new Kyalami building project

12th February 2016 Gauteng Piling has provided 118 auger cast in-situ piles for the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit building project, as part of the extensive upgrade of the Midrand circuit following its acquisition by Porsche South Africa CEO Toby Venter last year. The complete refurbishment of the Kyalami building was... →

GAUTENG PILING Work in progress for the foundation piles at the new Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit

Consulting firm highlights consequences of industry challenges

By: Kimberley Smuts 13th November 2015 A lack of adequate technical capacity in South Africa’s government departments is one of the most significant challenges currently facing the consulting engineering industry, says professional services firm Smec South Africa. Smec South Africa CEO Kostas Rontiris tells Engineering News that the... →

BLURRY TARGETS Smec is often unsure about its scope of work when dealing with government, an issue compounded by insufficient capital spent on infrastructure projects

Photo by Duane Daws
BLURRY TARGETS Smec is often unsure about its scope of work when dealing with government, an issue compounded by insufficient capital spent on infrastructure projects

Cement plant on stream for 2016 commissioning

13th November 2015 Supplier of cement and related products PPC Barnet Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) $280-million integrated cement plant at Kimpese, in Bas-Congo province, is on target for commissioning by the end of 2016. The team is moving to the next phase of construction, as the civil work was... →

PLANT READY FOR COMMISSIONING
PPC Barnet DRC’s $280-million integrated cement plant at Kimpese, in Bas-Congo province, is on target for commissioning by the end of 2016

Photo by Bloomberg
PLANT READY FOR COMMISSIONING PPC Barnet DRC’s $280-million integrated cement plant at Kimpese, in Bas-Congo province, is on target for commissioning by the end of 2016

Brick and block technology supports housing delivery in Tanzania

By: Kimberley Smuts 13th November 2015 The National Housing Corporation (NHC) of Tanzania is partnering with brick- and block-making machine manufacturer Hydraform in the delivery of housing projects across more than 20 sites in the country. The sites where the NHC is working comprise between 20 and 200 units each, with about 6 000... →

NHC DEVELOPS FIVE-YEAR PLAN More than 20 projects, with units ranging from 50 to 200, are being constructed under the auspices of the NHC in Tanzania

BCCEI accredited by CCMA for nonparty disputes

By: Kimberley Smuts 13th November 2015 The Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry (BCCEI) received accreditation in September from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to handle all its disputes. BCCEI senior case management officer Merle Denson notes that the accreditation means that... →

Photo by Bloomberg
ACCREDITATION RECEIVED BCCEI received accreditation in September from the Commission for CCMA to handle all its disputes

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