Traditional steel and in-situ concrete construction paired with quick-to-install precast concrete elements is revolutionizing the way buildings are being constructed across the globe.
Known as “hybrid construction” the use of precast floors, walls and structural components allows these elements to be manufactured off-site in controlled factory environments and delivered to the site as and when required.
This has the potential to speed up construction, as well as improve the quality of structures, especially where skills shortages have depleted the reservoir of skilled builders that are able to work accurately and correctly.
Local appeal
In South Africa the Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) is keeping trend with technologies and introducing it to members as a possible addition to existing products and service that members provide to their customers.
According to CMA executive director, Frans Minnaar, the advantages of hybrid construction are many and it has the potential to broaden the base of skills on our building sites. This is particularly true wherever traditional bricks and mortar skills are still used, but where contractors are able to use precast concrete to control the quality of areas where it is required.
“A good example exists in China where a 56 storey building was built in just 19 days using precast hybrid techniques and based on an in-situ cast foundation. In Europe architects are using this technique to allow them to design aesthetically good looking buildings with effects made in controlled environment,” Frans says.
He adds that the techniques being pioneered in China, Europe and other parts of the world will soon spill over into our region where we are already seeing a number of projects using hybrid techniques. To further the use of hybrid construction the Concrete Society in association with the CMAwill be hosting a series of hybrid seminars in September starting in Cape Town on the 7th, Port Elizabeth on the 8th, Durban on9th and Johannesburg on the 10th.
To find out more contact Rita at the CMA on Tel: (011) 805 6742 or email: admin@cma.org.za