In the context of the struggling South African construction industry,
owing to a lack of investment in infrastructure projects, extended and
institutionalised knowledge about improving the durability of concrete
structures is crucial to the competitiveness of the South African concrete
industry, says John Roxburgh, senior lecturer at The Concrete Institute’s School of Concrete Technology.
“Durability and sustainability of concrete are intrinsically linked. If
you build a durable structure, it becomes more sustainable, as you need not spend
time and energy repairing and maintaining it. The life-cycle cost is reduced,
and that’s why durable concrete is so important.”
The lack of capital needed to fix infrastructure places even more
importance on durability, which the School of Concrete Technology emphasises, says
Roxburgh.
“At least 50% of concrete durability is the way you handle and look
after that concrete. You can have a very durable mix design, but if you don’t
place, compact, cure and protect the concrete correctly, it’s not going to be
durable.”
While stressing the importance of skills gained and education on
concrete received at institutions such as The School of Concrete Technology, in Midrand, Johannesburg,
he laments the lack of knowledge among industry professionals, such as project
managers and engineers, which he says can contribute to poor concrete in
structures.
“If people know about concrete, they’re going to save money.
Construction firms are suffering, jobs have been lost, and lack of money means
people don’t get trained.
Education about the use of concrete is crucial, as concrete is the most
used construction material. It is also a relatively affordable and durable
building material when compared with other building materials, Roxburgh states.
While emphasising that there are innovative solutions and technological
advances for concrete, such as self-healing and decorative concrete, Roxburgh says
greater emphasis is placed on the basics of concrete technology at The School of Concrete Technology.
By concentrating on the basic concepts, the school provides individuals
with the ability “to leap forward into new technologies from a solid
foundation”, he adds.
The School of Concrete Technology offers the five-day SCT30
Concrete Technology course for a basic outline of concrete knowledge.
A more comprehensive, internationally recognised education can also be obtained with the Advanced Concrete Technology certification, which is presented in South Africa every two years. The current two-year course started in January this year. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/concrete-knowledge-crucial-to-produce-sustainable-concrete-structures-2019-05-22
