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Civil Engineering and Construction

Piling contractor completes two Swazi-based foundation jobs

By: Kimberley Smuts 13th November 2015 Specialist geotechnical contractor Franki Africa completed two piled foundation contracts – for a new international conference centre (ICC) and a new five-star Fish Hotel – in the second quarter of this year, for the Swaziland Ministry of Economic Planning, in Ezulwini, in the royal valley in... →

Work-at-height specialist monitors housing project

13th November 2015 Rope access specialist Skyriders was appointed by multidisciplinary construction company Liviero Group to monitor the risks of at-height falls, entrapment or equipment malfunctions at its Wilge housing project, in Limpopo. A two-man Skyriders team was initially deployed on site in August 2014,... →

HEIGHT FALL MALFUNCTIONS MONITORED Skyriders technicians are trained to apply a supreme standard of safety, while disproving the common perception that rope access is dangerous

Need for geotechnical investigations stressed

By: Kimberley Smuts 13th November 2015 Structural engineers should base the design of a building, including its foundations, on detailed and official geotechnical investigations to ensure durable and cost-effective foundations, says piling contractor Gauteng Piling chairperson Nico Maas. These tests – typically conducted by... →

GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS NECESSARY These tests provide invaluable information regarding the physical properties of soil and rock on a site

Concrete cutter helps convert Cape Town building into museum and shopping centre

By: Kimberley Smuts 13th November 2015 A historic Cape Town building is set to be transformed into a museum and shopping centre by late 2016, with the help of concrete cutting, coring and drilling company Concrete Worm. The Cape Town-based concrete cutting, coring and drilling company started work on the uninhabitable building in... →

CONVERSION UNDER WAY Cape Town-based concrete cutting, coring and drilling company started work on the uninhabitable building in early 2014

Company launches mobile app for collaborative construction platform

By: Kimberley Smuts 13th November 2015 Pre-build, construction phase and post-build collaboration solutions provider Onsite Control Systems (OCS) in October launched a cross-platform mobile application (app) version of its OnSiteIMS online collaboration platform, which is now available for iOS, Android and Windows 10 devices. The app... →

CROSS-PLATFORM APPLICATION Onsite Control Systems in October launched a mobile app version of its OnSiteIMS online collaboration platform, which is now available for iOS, Android and Windows 10 devices

Sadara chemicals complex nears completion

By: Kimberley Smuts 13th November 2015 Sadara, a joint venture (JV) developed by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and The Dow Chemical Company, is currently in advanced stages of construction of the largest chemical complex ever build worldwide in Jubail Industrial City, in Saudi Arabia. Dow polyurethane business regional... →

MOHAMMED SAMI
Sadara investment is one of the building blocks that will contribute to boosting manufacturing sectors in sub-Saharan Africa in general and countries such as South Africa specifically

Dow Southern Africa discusses the current state of the construction industry

Binnington Copeland & Associates

13th November 2015 Founded in 1984, Binnington Copeland & Associates is a Hill International Company that has offices worldwide and a wide range of experts in fields pertaining to engineering and construction projects. The company employs engineers, attorneys, contract administrators, quantity surveyors,... →

Producer prioritises sustainable concrete solutions

By: Kimberley Smuts 13th November 2015 The demand for cement in South Africa dropped from a peak of around 16-million tons a year to about 14-million tons a year between 2014 and 2015, says Southern Africa’s largest concrete materials producer, AfriSam. AfriSam sales and marketing executive Richard Tomes adds that South Africa... →

SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS AfriSam has focused on providing more sustainable solutions by offering readymix concrete

Company builds multimillion-rand hospital

By: Pimani Baloyi 13th February 2015 The construction of a R199-million, 100-bed hospital for healthcare provider Netcare Properties, in Pinehaven, Johannesburg, is well under way, says South Africa-based construction company Aveng Grinaker-LTA. Aveng Greinaker-LTA building business unit MD Marc Meire tells Engineering News that... →

NETCARE PINEHAVEN HOSPITAL Construction of the 100-bed hospital started in August 2014

All systems go for March civils negotiations – bargaining council

By: Pimani Baloyi 13th February 2015 All necessary processes are in place to begin this year’s wage negotiations for the civil engineering industry, says Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry (BCCEI) general secretary Nick Faasen. He tells Engineering News that the deadline for the submission of wage submissions from... →

NICK FASSEN The Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry wants to create fair and equal opportunities for all stakeholders

Group prepares for multibillion-rand housing development

By: Pimani Baloyi 13th February 2015 Preparations are proceeding as scheduled for construction group Nu-Hold Group’s R6.5-billion Coega Ridge development – a 40 000-home mixed-use housing development adjacent to the Coega Industrial Development Zone in Port Elizabeth (PE), in the Eastern Cape. Nu-Hold executive director Jordan Mann... →

COEGA RIDGE COEGA RIDGE In addition to the 40 000 residential units that comprise Coega Ridge, the area will be a self-sustained satellite city

EPCM firm completes Southern Africa’s first microtunnel

By: Pimani Baloyi 13th February 2015 Engineering and project implementation firm Hatch Goba has completed the construction of a R120-million sewer relocation project – the Mahatma Gandhi Road Sewer Pump Station – in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Hatch Goba tunnels, geotechnical and trenchless technology infrastructure regional manager... →

MICRO-TUNNEL INSTALLATION The micro-tunnel is the first of its kind in sub-Sahara Africa

Construction of air separation unit complete

13th February 2015 The construction of Johannesburg-based industrial gas company Air Products South Africa’s R300-million air separation unit (ASU), located at the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape, was successfully completed in November, with an injury-free record.... →

SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY Construction of the R300-million air separation unit started in May 2013, with the plant being commissioned in November 2014

Company contracted to expand toll road linking SA and Moz

13th February 2015 Murray & Roberts Infrastructure (MRI), a division of engineering, procurement and construction management major Murray & Roberts Group, has been awarded a 22-month contract by Trans African Concessions (Trac) to upgrade the N4 toll road connecting South Africa to Mozambique. The N4 toll road,... →

N4 UPGRADE PROJECT The 22-month-long refurbishment is set for completion in July 2016

Piling contractor supplies to Newtown lodge

13th February 2015 Johannesburg-based piling contractor Gauteng Piling has provided foundation piles for use in the construction of a new City Lodge hotel in Newtown, Johannesburg. The 148-room hotel, which is being developed by Atterbury Property Developments, will form part of the Newtown Junction mixed-use... →

A NEWTOWN FOUNDATION Gauteng Piling has provided 64 piles with an average depth of 10 m for the new seven-storey City Lodge hotel in Newtown Junction NEWTOWN CITY LODGE Gauteng Piling has provided 64 piles with an average depth of 10 m for the new seven-storey City Lodge hotel in Newtown Junction

Gauteng Partnership Fund bearing fruit

By: Pimani Baloyi 13th February 2015 The Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF), established in 2008 to leverage private-sector investment into the affordable housing market by assisting previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs in making inroads into the property development sector, is showing significant growth, with most of its funded... →

VINOLIA MASHIANE The Gauteng Partnership Fund is succeeding in unlocking private-sector funding for the low-cost housing market

Project partnership yielding positive results

By: Pimani Baloyi 13th February 2015 The strategic partnership established last year between South Africa-based international project management company Planning & Cost Engineering (PaCE) Services and quantity-surveying and construction-cost consultancy Basson & Close Quantity Surveyors (BCQS) has thus far been a success for both... →

STRATEGIC PARTNERING PaCE Services CEO Nic Bennett and BCQS director Brendon Close taking the lead of the partnership

Billion-rand Eastern Cape mall exceeds job-creation targets

13th February 2015 The construction of the R1.7-billion Baywest Mall in Port Elizabeth has resulted in the employment of about 4 300 workers on site since construction started in mid-2013, which is a 43.3% increase on the 3 000 direct jobs that developers had initially forecast for the construction phase of the... →

BAYWEST MALL By the end of 2014, Baywest Mall’s 65 000 m² roof, as well as a bridge over the N2 highway, had been completed

Rope-access technicians to assist with rescue operations

By: Donna Slater 14th November 2014 A team of rope-access technicians from rope-access company Skyriders can assist municipal, national rescue and disaster-management services with specialised rope-rescue services in emergency scenarios such as incidents in the construction industry and the implementation of health and safety... →

SPECIALISED RESCUE A well-trained, forward-thinking team is critical to ensure safety

Local civil industry under pressure

14th November 2014 The South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors (Safcec) noted in its ‘State of the South African Civil Industry: Quarter 2, 2014’ report, released in July, that the South African civil construction industry is under greater pressure, owing to a slow start to the year for the economy... →

UNDER PRESSURE
The South African civil construction industry is under greater pressure, owing to a slow start to the year for the economy that was exacerbated by strike action

Photo by Bloomberg
UNDER PRESSURE The South African civil construction industry is under greater pressure, owing to a slow start to the year for the economy that was exacerbated by strike action

Historic silo district proves challenging

14th November 2014 Geotechnical contractor Franki Africa, part of Keller Group, is using its own in-house design and expertise to provide the geotechnical solution for Phase 2 of the V&A Silo District basement for V&A Waterfront Holdings, represented by Mace Project Managers. →

CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT On site challenges are overcome by manipulating the numerous resources on site and by trying to finish in areas that are accessible while preparing to work in other areas

Civil projects honoured

14th November 2014 Engineering company Aurecon received two awards for civil engineering projects, while one of its engineers also received an award at the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (Saice) National Project Awards, held at the International Convention Centre in Durban on October 16. →

KWAMASHU INTERCHANGE The project is the first application of a diverging diamond interchange in the southern hemisphere

Construction under way for nonprofit hospital

14th November 2014 Cement producer AfriSam has been awarded a contract by construction and engineering group Group Five to supply 17 650 m3 of readymix concrete for the construction of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Parktown, Johannesburg. →

NEW HOSPITAL The establishment of this nonprofit hospital was a personal dream of Nelson Mandela

Design competition encourages innovation

By: Donna Slater 14th November 2014 A concept design competition, which was launched in 2011, encouraging the generation of construction-design concepts for an aesthetically pleasing pedestrian bridge, in Ekurhuleni, motivated professional services firm SMEC South Africa to employ innovative solutions for the three designs it... →

UPGRADE PROJECT The new bridge formed part of a broader project to upgrade the R21 highway

Proactive industry becoming reactive

By: Donna Slater 14th November 2014 The professional planning part of the civil engineering industry is becoming increasingly reactive in terms of preplanning, instead of its primary, and preferred, focus of being proactive, says multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm GIBB. →

CHARLOTTE VAN DER MERWE Planning-related professions need to bear accountability

Enforcement of health and safety procedures back-burnered

By: Donna Slater 14th November 2014 Currently, health and safety practices in the workplace are perceived to be predominantly a culture-based issue in business and are usually given little priority in projects, according to multidisciplinary engineering consultancy WSP Africa. →

REGISTRATION REQUIRED Construction professionals should be registered with the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions

Cofunding partners needed for projects

By: Donna Slater 14th November 2014 The Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF) is looking for financial partners to support entry-level property entrepreneurs to participate in the affordable housing market in Gauteng. →

KATLEHO NCHAPHA The ultimate beneficiary of the fund is the person who now has access to the affordable rental accommodation

Mortar speeds up repairs

14th November 2014 It is essential that South African municipalities timeously maintain and repair faulty sewerage reticulation equipment to prevent sewer spills, which could cause environmental hazards and pollution of water resources, says construction chemical company a.b.e. concrete repair and general... →

FAST TRACK REPAIR Epidermix 520 is the ideal high-strength mortar to fast-track repair and maintenance projects

Transnet reconfirms need for increasing Durban’s port capacity

By: Mia Breytenbach 14th February 2014 South African State-owned rail, port and pipeline company Transnet still plans to start construction of Phase 1 of the Durban Dig-Out Port (DDOP) in mid-2016, says Transnet DDOP programme director Marc Descoins. The company plans to have the phase completed by 2020. →

INCREASING DEMAND The Durban container port handled 2.7-million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from 2012 to 2013 and Transnet expects the demand to grow to between 9-million and 12-million TEUs by 2040

Construction disasters warrant ‘deeper look’ – MBA North

14th February 2014 The quality of construction work is one of several vital issues that should be considered before construction can start on major projects, as this eliminates the risks of facing challenges later on in the building phase, construction industry trade association Master Builders Association (MBA)... →

CONSTRUCTION RISKS
Construction health and safety practitioners should not only consider noncompliance legal issues but also designer competencies, construction programmes and selection of contractors

Photo by Duane Daws
CONSTRUCTION RISKS Construction health and safety practitioners should not only consider noncompliance legal issues but also designer competencies, construction programmes and selection of contractors

Mall of Africa piling completed

14th February 2014 Piling specialist Gauteng Piling reports that it has completed a R5-million piling contract for the construction of Southern Africa’s largest single-phase retail centre, Mall of Africa, in January. The Mall of Africa, a 120 000 m2 Atterbury Property Developments project, is being built in the new... →

Sustaining consulting engineering key to growing economy

By: Mia Breytenbach 14th February 2014 The objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP) will not be realised unless consulting engineers are more involved in the process, says newly appointed voluntary association Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) president Abe Thela. Cesa represents in excess of 500 consulting... →

REDUCED INNOVATION Consulting Engineers South Africa says unintended consequences of competitive bidding for consulting engineering services are fewer innovation and training opportunities

Moisture measuring – first wireless system for SA concrete industry

By: Mia Breytenbach 14th February 2014 Precast concrete manufacturers and concrete ready-mix supply and delivery companies can control concrete quality and standards with moisture control expert Ludwig Moisture Control’s new microwave moisture-measuring system and wireless Bluetooth transmission system, states concrete equipment... →

CONTROLLING QUALITY Ludwig Moisture Control’s new microwave moisture-measuring system gives precast concrete manufacturers and concrete ready-mix supply and delivery companies control over moisture content in concrete mixers

Construction claims challenging for industry

By: Mia Breytenbach 14th February 2014 Many South African private and public construction projects are experiencing severe cost overruns and delays, which inevitably lead to claims by contractors for a revised or extended completion date and for the payment of additional and associated costs, says independent construction law, new... →

COEN SNYMAN The number of contract claims and subsequent disputes can be reduced if there is a proper understanding and assessment of claims and better decision-making with regard to the claims process as a whole

Rope access specialist to assist petrochemicals plant

By: Mia Breytenbach 14th February 2014 Using rope access for construction tasks can easily provide substantial cost and time savings, states industrial rope access specialist Skyriders Access Specialists marketing manager Mike Zinn. “When the cost of access is deemed disproportionate to the scope of work, the use of rope is a... →

HIGH CONSTRUCTION Skyriders Access Specialists perform various scopes of work at state-owned and private power stations

Mall to reduce unemployment in Nelson Mandela Bay

By: Mia Breytenbach 14th February 2014 Construction of the Baywest Mall, in Port Elizabeth, officially started in June last year and Baywest City MD Gavin Blows says the scheduled opening of the mall remains March 2015 and the project is still within its budget of R1.7-billion. Although Eastern Cape MEC for Economic Development... →

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The Baywest Mall will reduce unemployment in Nelson Mandela Bay by about 5%

Increased confidence in construction industry – MBA

14th February 2014 Construction industry trade association Master Builders Association (MBA) North members agree that there is renewed confidence about the future of the Gauteng construction sector, states MBA North executive director Mohau Mphomela. “Input received from the association’s members seems to endorse... →

CONSTRUCTION CONFIDENCE
Master Builders Association North members believe the future for the construction industry now looks more promising but do not believe the industry is on a sustained growth path

Photo by Duane Daws
CONSTRUCTION CONFIDENCE Master Builders Association North members believe the future for the construction industry now looks more promising but do not believe the industry is on a sustained growth path

Construction projects face challenges owing to skills shortage - ATI

14th February 2014 The South African construction industry, which many expect to go through a high growth phase this year, owing to an increased number of construction projects, and a greater focus on housing projects and large-scale infrastructure projects, is facing severe problems regarding construction project... →

QUALITY STANDARDS The South African construction industry faces severe problems regarding construction project delivery owing to skills shortage and low quality standards

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