Celebrating 40 years of commitment

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Quality and technical excellence have been at the forefront for Terraforce since 1979. 

Terraforce, the well-known Cape Town-based precast concrete manufacturer specialising in modular hollow-core concrete blocks, has maintained a strong foothold in the South African concrete retaining wall market. 

This year marks 40 years of involvement in the earth retaining and erosion control industry. Starting as a supplier and installer of wire mesh gabions, Terraforce soon switched to the more sustainable concrete block method of their own design which was pioneered in 1984. Proven as a solid choice, and with only one competitor in this sector situated in Europe, the business has grown steadily and now has dedicated licensees on all continents. 

Terraforce has established production in United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Spain, India, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Swaziland, Lesotho, Ghana, Namibia and United Arab Emirates. Their product presents one of the most energy-efficient segmental retaining wall systems.  

The blocks require low hardware input for manufacture, low transport costs and low inventory requirements at sales outlets. Being hollow, yet strong, they require less concrete compared to solid block systems. All Terraforce earth retaining systems are plantable and, if irrigation and maintenance are set up properly, an installed wall can be completely covered in vegetation. 

From the outset, Terraforce knew that robust research, testing, and design guidelines were indispensable, not only as a service to their customers, but also to maintain mnmarket leadership. Over the years the results of extensive laboratory testing, three design manuals and a wealth of supplementary information were published.  

Says Holger Rust, founder and member, Terraforce: “In 2004 our first design software was launched, and soon many of our clients requested the introduction of a design service. In response, Terrasafe (a professional design service exclusively for Terraforce walls) was launched in 2011 and in 2018 state-of-the-art design software, Maxiwall – another design tool for experienced professionals – was launched. 

“Currently we are completing a comprehensive design course for gravity and composite retaining walls, in compliance with SANS 207, based largely on BS 8006. This necessitated the verification of some of the findings of tests conducted in 1991 and 1995 in South Africa and Canada,” Rust explains.  

“We commissioned Curtin University in Perth, Australia, under the guidance of Johan Joubert of Wave International, to conduct  shear strength tests between closed-face Terraforce blocks and geo-grids in accordance with ASTM-D6916-18. The report conclusively re-confirmed the shear strength between our blocks and the geo-grid material.  

“Going forward, we plan to re-affirm our position as an ethical business by practicing fair competition, truthful representation and honest advertising. Above all, we will continue developing our knowledge base and skill to the highest level of excellence. Considering this commitment, we are also currently looking into achieving a green certification from a reputable authority,” Rust concludes. 

More information from Terraforce, Tel: +27(0)21 4641907 / email: info@terraforce.com / www.terraforce.com