Due to a fire incident that occurred on the 8
December 2017 in Mimosa Mall, Bloemfontein, a restoration process was required.
After inspection, Sika ensured that the best quality products were used for the
structural strengthening of the damaged areas.
As part of the restoration exercise, Sika
CarboDur S512 (600 metres), Sika CarboDur S1014 (800 metres), and Sikadur-30
(79 kits), were specified for the external structural strengthening of the car
parks and the roof slabs. Sika CarboDur
plates are pultruded carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates designed
for strengthening of concrete, masonry and steel structures.
The carbon fibre plates were bonded onto the
soffit roof slab using Sikadur-30, a primerless structural epoxy adhesive ideal
for structural strengthening projects. The application of Sika CarboDur S1014
allowed for the increased load capacity of the floor slabs in the sections
where heavier equipment was subsequently installed.
Sika’s high performance SikaGrout-212 was applied under all new precast
concrete barriers. This fluid grout provides adjustable consistency, rapid
strength development and high final strengths.
The building’s structural support columns were
wrapped with SikaWrap®-600 C, a unidirectional stitched, non-woven heavy carbon
fibre fabric with mid-range strengths.
The time constraints of the construction
program were challenging due to the urgency of getting the mall fully
operational in a short space of time after the fire had caused such widespread
damage. The contractors, WSP Engineers, managed to complete the
project in January 2019.
The excellent strength and durability of the
Sika CarboDur structural strengthening products made them an ideal choice for this
application, confirming that Sika has the correct solution for even complex and
challenging projects.
More information from Nadine Slabbert, Tel: +27 31
7926500 / email:
