SIKA CONTRIBUTES TO A ‘MODERN REINCARNATION OF THE OLD DURBAN’

The multi-billion Rand
renovation of the Durban Point Waterfront has been dubbed the “Modern
Reincarnation of the old Durban.” The developers are using words like “breathtaking,
unimaginable, and magnificent” to describe just how the new Durban Point
Waterfront will be! It will certainly uplift both business and tourism on the
Durban waterfront, and will become a world-renowned tourist destination once
completed.

Durban Point Waterfront development appointed Stefanutti Stocks as the
main Contractor to undertake this major project and Nako-illiso Engineers specified Sika’s range to
be used in phase 1 of the Durban Point Waterfront development: the extension
and renovation of the Durban Point Promenade.

Durban Point Promenade is part of the
major development that will extend the existing promenade all the way from the Umgeni River mouth to the harbour entrance at
North Pier. The Durban Point Promenade includes the existing effluent trench
and the Point Water Clubs below; with the actual Promenade walkway and
Amphitheatre above.

The
Point Promenade was designed with a suspended ground floor slab, with ground
beams supported on CFA piles, pile caps and associated connections. In the very
unlikely occurrence of a massive storm surge breaching the high tide mark, the
foundations together with a sheet pile wall would ensure the structure remains
intact. To mimic the habitat of waves gently caressing the shoreline, the
cantilever on the front (sea facing) side of the promenade was designed with lines
and curves.

On the
lower club and Promenade level Sika Antisol E curing compound was used
to cure the concrete. Separol GU ZA shutter release oil was used on all
the steel formwork, which formed part of the columns on the Promenade and lower
club level that support the upper deck.

All
the walls and facades on the lower club level were primed and sealed with Sika
Primer-3N and Sikaflex Construction. For the construction
and expansion joints in the effluent trench and lower club and promenade level
Sika’s closed cell polyethylene backing cord was used as a joint former,
followed by Sika Primer-3N as a joint primer to the face of the joints.

Given the importance of the
joints and need for a total waterproof seal; Sikaflex Pro-3 i-cure was
specified. The Sikadur-31 DW and Combiflex SG bandage system was
recessed below the Sikaflex Pro-3 i-cure as a secondary seal to ensure all
joints were totally watertight.

On the Promenade level, Sikadur-52 ZA, a low viscosity crack injection resin, was used to permanently fill all
shrinkage cracks in the upper deck concrete structure. Sikalastic-152, appliedwitha glass fibre mesh, ensured a watertight barrier over all
shrinkage cracks. All stainless steel handrails along the Promenade were
anchored using SikaGrout-212.

In
addition to the products used across the site, SikaTop Armatec-110 Epocem
bonding primer was used with the Sika Monotop range of mortars for general
defects. To counter the possibility of graffiti, and facilitate its removal, Sikagard-850
AG, asingle component anti-graffiti coating, will be used on the
northern and southern side of the promenade. Sikagard-705 L Silane was
used as a concrete protection treatment on the front face of the structure
below the cantilever, against the ingress of chlorides from the marine
environment.

Steffanutti Stocks team managed to complete this major project – from
demolishing existing structures to completion – in 18 months, without any
delays.  The team managed to cast 20 000
m² of concrete to suspended slabs in 6 months – a total of 8600 m³.

More information from
Romaine Cloete, Tel: +27(0)31 792 6500 / Cloete.romaine@za.sika.com