COMMUNICATING CLIMATE CHANGE: A HOT TOPIC? INTRODUCING SAICE'S NEW FIRE ENGINEERING
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August 2018 Vol 26 No 7 COMMUNICATING INTRODUCING SAICE’S SAICE 2001 PRESIDENT CLIMATE CHANGE: NEW FIRE ENGINEERING RECEIVES NSTF A HOT TOPIC? DIVISION LIFETIME AWARD
®
CONSISTENCY.
IT’S WHAT
WE’RE MADE OF.
A range of products built on the Inspiring growth through the consistent delivery of
foundation of quality and durability
solutions that empower our people and our customers.
Aggregates The Aggregates Division is a key division within Afrimat Limited producing
aggregates of a wide variety of sizes and technical specifications, primarily
Concrete Based with products including stone, gravel, crushed aggregates, laterite and
Products sand mainly for large-scale civil engineering and infrastructure projects.
It also provides professional contracted drilling & blasting, transport &
Industrial
logistics crushing & screening and earthmoving & plant hire services.
Minerals
The Aggregates Division is located in seven of South Africa’s provinces
Contracting
with commercial quarries including sand mines, gravel mines, mobile
International
crushing, recycled concrete crushing plant and drilling & blasting.
Commodities The Aggregates Division is part of Afrimat Limited, a leading black
empowered open pit mining company.
www.afrimat.co.za Tel +27 21 917 8840 Fax +27 21 914 1174 info@afrimat.co.za
FR O M T H E PR E S I D E N T ’ S D E S K
Going forward
This recent period has been a challenging time for SAICE, and they operate. Leadership in organisations is increasingly aware
while the Executive Board has already publicly commented on that inclusive workplaces are more efficient and effective through
and acknowledged several matters regarding the July magazine making the most of the talents and abilities of all employees.
article “Out on a rib” by our CEO, it’s befitting to share some But we also believe we need to engage in objective discourse
thinking and direction. regarding long-entrenched gender inequalities, and I would like to
“When you have a conflict, that means that there are truths use this opportunity to invite continued candid and constructive
that have to be addressed on each side of the conflict. And when discussion on the matter. I look forward to the involvement and
you have a conflict, then it’s an educational process to try to engagement of all our members on this continuing journey.
resolve the conflict. And to resolve that, you have to get people on The Executive Board expresses the resolute intention to reflect
both sides of the conflict involved so that they can dialogue.” This on this episode and to use it as an opportunity to take the engi-
is attributed to Dolores Huerta, a Mexican-American labour neering profession forward. We absolutely need to work together
leader and civil rights activist, and her words are very relevant for to address numerous challenges, including educational inequality,
where we now find ourselves. guidance and training of graduates, better communication skills
Despite the upheaval of the recent times, it’s gratifying that and apathy or lack of involvement.
SAICE has had numerous constructive and positive offers for The time has come for all of us to embody the skills inherent
robust debate and assistance from various individuals, academia, in all engineers – collectively we need to assess, analyse, collect
consulting firms, women’s groups, and SAICE units including information, think, check, plan and execute an appropriate initia-
branches, divisions, committees, panels and student chapters. tive which will make a true difference to inclusivity and equality.
Our actions in the past have spoken for themselves, and the While we have emphasised career guidance to encourage women
changes in our membership demographics, in particular the to enter the field, we must continue to focus on the natural
representation of women in SAICE and SAICE structures, speak beginning point of communicating the correct information at
volumes with respect to the transformation of SAICE. Over the school level to all learners who show an aptitude for and interest
last two decades women engineers have served most ably (and in STEM careers to ensure that we are attracting learners from
increasingly continue to do so) in our Institution’s governing South Africa’s vast pipeline of talent and guiding them into the
bodies, and play active roles in our technical divisions and at engineering sector rather than losing them. We can no longer
branch level. However, SAICE recognises that many inequalities afford to continue excluding valuable human resources.
are still prevalent, both within In closing, I hope we can all take inspiration from another
our profession and society at highly relevant quote, this time from Alain Dehaze, an American
large, and there is a very activist who said: “Diversity requires commitment. Achieving the
real need to intensify superior performance diversity can produce needs further action –
initiatives to enhance most notably, a commitment to develop a culture of inclusion.
inclusivity and address People do not just need to be different, they need to be fully in-
diversity issues within volved and feel their voices are heard.” We have the commitment
the engineering sector. to change the face of our profession and this can best be advanced
SAICE supports by involvement, interest and collaboration.
the view that diverse
organisations are more Errol Kerst Pr Eng
innovative and profit-
SAICE President
able, and better reflect the
president@saice.org.za
communities in which
The time has come for all of us to embody the skills
inherent in all engineers – collectively we need to
assess, analyse, collect information, think, check, plan
and execute an appropriate initiative which will
make a true difference to inclusivity and equality.
Civil Engineering August 2018 1
August 2018 Vol 26 No 7
COMMUNICATING INTRODUCING SAICE’S SAICE 2001 PRESIDENT
CLIMATE CHANGE: NEW FIRE ENGINEERING RECEIVES NSTF
A HOT TOPIC? DIVISION LIFETIME AWARD
ON THE COVER
The durability specifications for concrete
ON THE COVER P4
are changing the way that the civil
engineering sector views the application AfriSam’s Centre of Product Excellence laboratories conduct durability index testing, a service
of concrete in projects. AfriSam’s ISO available to the construction industry on a commercial basis
9000 listing, its standardised operating
systems which are aligned country-wide,
and its SANAS-accredited laboratory all
contribute towards meeting the rising FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
standards demanded in civil engineering.
Going forward�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1
South African
Institution of ON THE COVER
Civil Engineering
August 2018 Vol 26 No 7
Raising the durability bar for concrete in civils���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Published by SAICE
Block 19, Thornhill Office Park,
How sustainable urban design can reduce infrastructure costs������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 6
Sundwana Water Supply Scheme – from stand-alone to regional����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11
Bekker Street, Vorna Valley, Midrand
Private Bag X200, Halfway House, 1685
Tel 011 805 5947/8 | Fax 011 805 5971
Bringing nature into building design���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 14
http://www.saice.org.za | civilinfo@saice.org.za
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Welcome to the Anthropocene����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18
Manglin Pillay Pr Eng
manglin@saice.org.za | Tel 011 805 5947/8
Communicating climate change: a hot topic?��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 21
Editor
Verelene de Koker
verelene@saice.org.za
Tel 011 805 5947/8 | Cell 083 378 3996
Editorial Panel
Marco van Dijk (chairman), Irvin Luker (vice‑chairman),
Errol Kerst (president), Manglin Pillay (CEO), FIRE ENGINEERING
Steven Kaplan (COO), Andile Gqaji, Gerhard Heymann,
Introducing SAICE’s new Fire Engineering Division����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 25
Jeffrey Mahachi, Avi Menon, Jones Moloisane,
Beate Scharfetter, Marie Ashpole, Verelene de Koker (editor),
Elsabé Maree (editor’s assistant), Lorraine Mpofana (editor’s
Fire engineering in the civil engineer’s house ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 26
assistant), Barbara Spence (advertising)
Annual subscription rate
Designing in the blind��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 28
R695.00 (VAT included)
Advertising
Fire engineering research and postgraduate programmes launched at Stellenbosch University ����������������������� 32
Barbara Spence, Avenue Advertising
barbara@avenue.co.za
Tel 011 463 7940 | Cell 082 881 3454
Design and reproduction
Marketing Support Services, Ashlea Gardens, Pretoria
National building regulation compliance for fire plan submissions������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 36
Printing
Fishwicks, Pretoria Facts about water mist as a fire suppression solution������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 38
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering accepts no
responsibility for any statements made or opinions expressed
in this publication. Consequently nobody connected with the
publication of the magazine, in particular the proprietors, the
publishers and the editors, will be liable for any loss or damage
IN BRIEF
sustained by any reader as a result of his or her action upon
any statement or opinion published in this magazine.
Coca-Cola invests in Cape Town Water Fund �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������40
ISSN 1021-2000
thyssenkrupp launches advanced water electrolysis for a sustainable future ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 41
SewTreat produces unbelievable water savings for Cape Town’s One&Only resort ������������������������������������������������������������������� 42
Civil Engineering August 2018
P11
Kaytech awarded Recycling Innovator of the Year ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������43
Eighty years of vital dissemination of concrete information������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 44
Additional fire protection for concrete with Adfil fibres from CHRYSO ������������������������������������������������������������������������������45
SMEC develops Master Plan for an Oil and Gas Industrial Park in Uganda ��������������������������������������������������������������������45
USV simplifies hydrographic surveying�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 47
Civils in survival mode for 2018, but 2019 holds hope ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������49
M&D Construction Group sets the benchmark in pipeline quality standards ����������������������������������������������������������50
P14
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC MODELLING
Photogrammetric modelling as an engineering tool ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 51
DISPUTE BOARDS
Dispute Boards – Ethics in Today’s World of DRBs (article 5)�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������54
SAICE AND PROFESSIONAL NEWS
A lifetime of dedication rewarded spectacularly!������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������57
P32
New SAICE Fellows ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������58
Brian Downie elected as SAICE President-Elect for 2018 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������58
Obituary: Dr Oskar Steffen 1940–2018 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������59
SAICE Training Calendar 2018�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������60
Notice to SAICE Corporate Members – further urgent revision to the SAICE Constitution�������������������� 61
CARTOON
Civillain by Jonah Ptak ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 55
P45
3
O n the Cov er
Raising the durability bar
for concrete in civils
DURABILITY INDEX APPROACH “The durability index (DI) tests that are position to readily absorb any extra costs.
The use of the durability index being designed and applied to concrete in The meeting of specifications therefore
performance-based approach is today civil infrastructure is based on key para must be achieved as economically
well established in infrastructure projects meters that allow the structure’s design life as possible.
conducted by the South African National to be predicted and prolonged,” he says.
Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), and the “The specifications help to further improve EFFECTIVE RESOURCE UTILISATION
specification of ‘durability concrete’ with standards, and affect not just contractors, One of the issues this raises is effec-
applicable tests will further raise the bar but also suppliers who must ensure even tive resource utilisation, according
for contractors and suppliers. tighter adherence to limits when it comes to McDonald. While some operators
“The durability specifications for con- to road material such as aggregates for respond to the need for greater durability
crete are changing the environment and base, sub-base and asphalt, for instance.” by simply raising the quantity of cement
shifting the way that the civil engineering According to Ray Bonser, product used in concrete, this has implications
sector views the application of concrete in technical manager at AfriSam, the in terms of cost and – perhaps more
projects,” says Mike McDonald, manager trend towards tighter specifications importantly – sustainability.
of AfriSam’s Centre of Product Excellence. and closer monitoring certainly places “Both the civil engineering and con-
“The contractor is now more concerned pressure on contractors to partner with struction materials sectors are concerned
than ever about the materials that are used trusted suppliers. about climate change, and are incorpo-
in manufacturing concrete, and also how “There is growing reliance on the rating sustainability in their strategic
the concrete work is maintained and cured supplier of construction materials to be decision-making,” he says. “Just using
after being put in place.” well equipped with the relevant expertise, more cement to address the requirement
McDonald emphasises that among the systems and operational capacity to deliver for durability is not a solution, as this will
most important elements affecting the material to increasingly tighter tolerances, invariably raise the carbon footprint of
lifespan of a civils structure are the quality and to do this consistently and reliably,” the project as a whole.”
and specific properties of the concrete says Bonser. “The process also creates The challenge for contractors and
used. This durability is vital in ensuring financial pressures, as tighter specifications suppliers is to meet the durability speci-
that public funds are well invested in struc- are invariably costlier to meet.” fications, while continuing to optimise
tures that will stand the test of time and He notes that the depressed climate in concrete volumes and properties to limit
continue to service the community during the civil engineering sector today means the carbon footprint.
its designed service life, and even beyond. that contractors are often not in a good “Achieving higher levels of sustain-
ability includes the ability to make high-
The durability index tests designed and applied to strength concrete that facilitates the con-
concrete in civil infrastructure are based on key struction of smaller columns and thinner
parameters that allow the structure’s design
decks, for example. But these structures
life to be predicted and prolonged
must also fulfil the life expectancy of the
structure, or even exceed it,” he explains.
He adds that a longer-lasting solu-
tion also promotes sustainability, as it
delays the construction of a replacement
structure – and all its concomitant carbon
impacts – for a longer period.
According to Bonser, a strategy that
can contribute significantly to achieving
the goal of better resource utilisation is for
consultants to start working closely with
contractors and suppliers at the earliest
possible stage of a contract.
4 August 2018 Civil Engineering
“This ensures better use of the raw
materials at their disposal. Where a
specification is written without reference
to the practical availability of certain
materials, then this ‘disconnect’ can lead
to a specification being prepared that no
supplier can meet.”
He emphasises that most construction
materials – from cement to aggregate
and concrete – are highly sensitive to the
distances over which they can be affordably
and operationally transported. Long dis-
tances can make it unaffordable to supply
certain kinds or specifications of product
to a site. This challenge is especially
relevant where certain materials like fly ash
or dolomitic aggregate are located only in Suppliers of construction materials should be equipped with the relevant expertise, systems and
geographically specific areas. operational capacity to deliver material to increasingly tighter tolerances, consistently and reliably
“Given the relatively restricted zones of
affordability, it makes sense to have close performance,” says Dawneerangen. “In our containing the degree of ingress for the
collaboration along the whole chain of operational environment, where standards various sources of concrete degradation,”
project participants – the client, the con- are constantly evolving to improve dura- he says.
sultant, the contractor and the suppliers.” bility and sustainability, the capacity to “AfriSam’s ISO 9000 listing, stan-
Companies like AfriSam make it develop, supply and test customised mix dardised operating systems aligned
easier for customers in this regard, due to designs is vital.” country-wide, and SANAS-accredited
their wide footprint of over 40 facilities He highlights that AfriSam has con- laboratory all contribute to meeting the
countrywide. This also allows its aggregate ducted extensive research into concrete rising standards demanded in civil engi-
(produced in accordance with SANS 1083 durability and is a leader in concrete dura- neering,” says McDonald.
standards) to be supplied from different bility testing. This has given the company a
mineralogical deposits. detailed understanding of how constituent Info
“As well as supplying to specification, materials and site practices impact on
we also have the capacity to produce vol- durability and performance. Maxine Nel
umes and to provide back-up supply should “Our Centre of Product Excellence lab- AfriSam
+27 11 670 5893
there be the need to augment production oratories are set up to conduct durability
maxine.nel@za.afrisam.com
from another source,” Bonser says. index testing, a service available to the con- www.afrisam.com
struction industry on a commercial basis.”
MAINTAINING PRODUCT EXCELLENCE AfriSam’s national product technical
Working with partners who have deep manager readymix, Nithia Pillay, highlights
expertise across the range of materials some of the complexities when it comes to
and manufacturing processes that affect considering durability in concrete.
concrete durability is also now becoming “There is the misleading belief that
more important, as this reduces the risk of higher strength means better durability. It
non-compliance to specifications. was also previously believed that Portland
“Having all the facets of construction Cement mixes were better in terms of
materials under one roof gives companies durability when compared to mixes which
like AfriSam the ability to advise cus- incorporated extenders. Rather, it has been
tomers, as well as to draw on our scientific shown that blends of Portland Cement
foundation in aggregate and cement, and with PFA or GGBFS produce superior con-
the manufacturing and delivery of con- crete durability properties; also, adequate
crete,” says McDonald. curing is vital in deriving the benefits of
According to Amit Dawneerangen, the extenders.”
AfriSam’s general manager readymix, He emphasises that the most important
it is the inter-relationship between the factors to consider when specifying dura-
company’s business units that allows bility include the anticipated service life of
close control and management of the the structure, its usage, its environment,
different ingredients. the construction method, and the mate-
AfriSam’s national footprint allows its
“Having direct control over the full rials being used by the concrete supplier. aggregates, produced in accordance with
value chain of inputs and technology “Much research is under way into SANS 1083 standards, to be supplied from
in concrete helps to enhance product ingress mechanisms and methods of different mineralogical deposits
Civil Engineering August 2018 5
E N V I R O N M E N TA L E N G I N E E R I N G
How sustainable urban design
can reduce infrastructure costs
Philippa Burmeister
Principal Environmental Scientist
SRK Consulting (Durban Office)
pburmeister@srk.co.za
Denzel van de Weg
Civil Engineering Consultant
SRK Consulting (Durban Office)
dvandeweg@srk.co.za
Developers often associate environmental
requirements with additional costs and
extended project time frames, in many
instances seeing environmental services
as a grudge purchase. But what if the
opposite was possible? What if building
environmental considerations into
each phase of infrastructure develop-
ment could decrease the overall cost of
the project?
In this article, we describe how
this can be accomplished. We look at
the various phases of infrastructure Wetlands are a natural and aesthetic
development and explore how the use of strategy towards improving water quality
environmental considerations and inno
vations can avoid delays and potentially constructability, which could range from municipal conservation areas, steep slopes
even reduce the cost of infrastructure geotechnical stability to areas set aside and unsuitable soils – which are generally
development. Indeed, while this article for conservation purposes. difficult to develop. The mapping which
focuses on infrastructure development, It is therefore important to understand provides a spatial snapshot of potentially
the approach proposed may be adapted to an area earmarked for development or developable areas and no-go areas is
any type of development. infrastructure establishment, in the called negative mapping.
context of the environmental challenges This negative mapping exercise is com-
PHASE 1: SITE IDENTIFICATION and opportunities that exist in the area. monly undertaken during the site selec-
Generally, infrastructure development By going through a process of elimina- tion process, but relies on the amount and
projects are undertaken in response tion, suitable sites can be identified and quality of the mapping data available. A
to the need for services in an area. In assessed further. This can be achieved by useful resource for these purposes is a
some instances, site conditions are spatially mapping the environmental op- comprehensive and up-to-date geospatial
ideal for development, especially in portunities and constraints of an area ear- database of environmental constraints,
more rural settings where developers marked for development. Environmental which makes it possible to easily map
have the luxury of sufficient space to opportunities can range from suitable less suitable areas and use them to plan
suit their needs. However, suitable land soils to areas with a low environmental proposed infrastructure layouts or
for development in close proximity to conservation significance. Environmental linear alignments.
city centres and built-up urban areas is constraints, on the other hand, can To build on existing information, the
usually limited. Various environmental include environmentally protected or use of GIS, mobile-mapping and data
factors impact on land suitability and regulated areas such as watercourses, visualisation facilitates the collection
6 August 2018 Civil Engineering
Type of constraint (darker is more severe) In keeping with these Sustainable
Wetland constraints
Biodiversity constraints Development Goals, the South African
Flood zones constraints
Agricultural potential
Water Research Commission (WRC) has
Geotechnical constraints produced the South African Guidelines
Water quality constraints
Heritage zones for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).
Air quality constraints
Service provision constraints
SuDS use ecosystem goods and services
No constraints to replace traditional engineering at
reduced cost. The guidelines set out the
methods which can be used to create
sustainable stormwater drainage design
that is both functional and healthier for
the environment. These approaches have
practical limitations, such as requiring
additional space. In some instances they
may also have a higher initial cost, but in
general cost less in the long term if mea-
sured by a life-cycle cost analysis; such
an analysis would incorporate the cost
An example of a screening map used to inform site and route selection, based on suitability or value added of the natural goods and
from an environmental perspective services provided, as well as the long-term
maintenance costs.
of spatial data. It allows the live upload anything from six to twelve months, with By leveraging the use of natural goods
of information gathered in the field for another four months for a final decision and services, the SuDS approach works
real-time access by the entire project to be reached by the authorities. Careful to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and
team. This significantly reduces the time planning can inform project designs provide a more sustainable and holistic
between the collection of the data and its and thresholds to the extent that an EIA solution. Under the right conditions, it
use in informing project planning – also process may not be required, which could uses the natural abilities of plants and
reducing the costs of data collection. lead to significant time and cost savings. organisms within the soils and aquatic
Without such hi-tech tools, it may only Even if an EIA is unavoidable, the systems to dissipate energy, reduce ero-
be discovered during the detailed design screening of impacts allows developers to sion and clean water downstream – so
stage that an area is totally unsuitable for understand the environmental implica- that the costs to carry out these services
development due to environmental con- tions before committing substantially are reduced or even removed completely.
straints. Changing designs at that point to a project. Screening allows many A typical example of using SuDS to
is likely to result in substantial a dditional risk factors – such as fatal flaws, costly inform stormwater design is the creation
costs and delays. mitigation measures and no-go areas – of a constructed (engineered) wetland –
to be identified during the concept or an alternative approach to dealing with
PHASE 2: PLANNING prefeasibility stage. The cost of required pre-development and post-development
Another valuable intervention is a review management measures can then be attenuation of storm flows, as well as a
of legislated environmental requirements included in feasibility assessments. It also natural, aesthetic solution to water quality
at the outset of a project, as this can often allows the EIA process to run in parallel improvement. A constructed wetland can
identify alternatives in the design that will with project planning so that it does not be incorporated into typical stormwater
avoid the need for environmental authori- delay the project. management plans as an attenuation
sation, permits or licences. South Africa’s facility to accommodate the obligatory
environmental legislation is largely PHASE 3: DESIGN 50‑year design storm volumes.
dictated by thresholds and proximity to In South Africa’s National Development Providing SuDS-based solutions
sensitive environmental features. Being Plan 2030 (NDP), Sustainable typically requires an interdisciplinary
aware of these sensitive features allows Development Goals are used to inform approach, which facilitates the additional
a project to find ways to avoid them and national development policy and projects potential benefit of innovation on the
thus also avoid triggering the need for an up to 2030. By implementing policies boundary of disciplines, drawing on pro-
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). aimed at increasing sustainability, the de- fessionals such as civil engineers, environ-
A good starting point is to understand velopment goals aim to eliminate poverty mental scientists, engineering geologists
these thresholds so that they can be and reduce inequality (NDP 2030, p 1), and geohydrologists – depending on the
considered in the design. A screening of thereby bringing about real change in the complexity of the project. An integrated
enviro-legal requirements by a qualified lives of all people living in South Africa. approach that closely aligns the contribu-
and experienced environmental scientist The NDP also aligns with the United tion of each specialist will typically yield
or practitioner is therefore crucial during Nations Sustainable Development Goals an outcome that adds more value than
the planning phase. and the global effort to make infrastruc- just the sum of its parts. Such designs will
Obtaining environmental authorisa- ture, water and sanitation, urbanisation tend to be the most reliable, cost-effective
tion by undertaking an EIA can take and cities more sustainable. and sustainable.
Civil Engineering August 2018 7
risk, given that environmental require- project managers and contractors. The
ments are governed by multiple pieces EIP – which differs from an environ-
of legislation, and requirements are mental authorisation or Environmental
specified by more than one authority. The Management Plan – breaks up the
requirements are therefore not always requirements into specific areas (particu-
aligned, and in some instances seem to larly relevant for linear infrastructure)
be contradictory. or specific activities. In this way, the EIP
For instance, a pipeline project takes various requirements and integrates
may require environmental authorisa- these with the project schedule.
tion – in terms of the EIA Regulations The EIP allows a focus on just one
GN R326 (2017) promulgated under the part of a development, by presenting all
National Environmental Management the environmental requirements for just
Act (NEMA) of 1998 – and a water that part. During this process, incon-
Flora and fauna of rehabilitated grassland,
offering a number of traditional infrastructure use licence in terms of the National sistencies and conflicts can be resolved
services such as stormwater attenuation and Water Act of 1998. The former would through consultation with the various
erosion control have been granted by the Department authorities and specialists. This would
of Environmental Affairs or their pro- be done prior to construction, in order
PHASE 4: IMPLEMENTATION vincial equivalent, and the latter by the to avoid delays. The EIPs also aim to rep-
Construction managers frequently Department of Water and Sanitation. resent as much information as possible
experience cost overruns and delays as Either of these two sets of requirements in maps, such as sensitive areas, which
a result of misalignment between the may refer to further requirements, as also makes it easier for a contractor to
design specification and actual construc- detailed in a separate specialist report. understand what is required. Design
tion. Similarly, non-compliance with It is easy to see how misunderstandings specifications can be integrated into
environmental requirements – which can arise. the EIPs to further reduce the need to
results in delays and costly rehabilita- To address this risk and improve review multiple documents. A contractor
tion – results largely from contractors compliance, an Environmental can then review the requirements for
being unaware of these requirements or Implementation Plan (EIP) can be used a particular day at a glance, instead of
misunderstanding them. This is a real as a site-specific implementation plan for needing to refer back to a number of
lengthy documents.
As per the example above, it is pos-
sible for developers to consolidate the
most applicable and important require-
ments of the environmental authorisa-
tion, the water use licence, any additional
specialist requirements and the design
specification for a specific section or
activity in a larger project. Construction
managers would then clearly understand
their obligations for the following day’s
work, because they would be able to
focus only on the requirements for that
specific part of the project and not the
entire project.
At a practical level, the EIP would
outline on a map that the work for
the following day includes the excava-
tion of a wetland area – and would
highlight specifically where the wetland
boundaries and buffers occur, as well
as the special measures required while
excavating a wetland. These measures
may include that the wetland must be
dug by hand and the excavated soil
must be stockpiled separately. It would
also include the design drawings for
the installation of a pipeline trench
through the wetland – which would be
different from the rest of the pipeline.
Natural water purification provided by wetlands The map would even identify a suitable
8 August 2018 Civil EngineeringA manufactured wetland as part of a housing development, assisting the sewage treatment plant
with water purification and providing stormwater attenuation from the houses and other hard surfaces
location for the stockpiling of the soil. A CONCLUSION article are just that – common sense.
construction manager would then know The natural environment is an impressive While there are a number of challenges in
that additional equipment for hand exca- self-cleaning and regulating system. By any infrastructure development project,
vation is required – and even the design integrating the natural environment in all by timeously incorporating environmental
specification that 300 mm of concrete, phases of infrastructure development, the considerations at every stage of an infra-
for instance, would be required to encase natural environment can provide a basis structure project, and by communicating
the pipeline for 30 m. for urban design strategies that can reduce the requirements in a clear and simple
It is our experience that when the infrastructure costs and project delays way, project performance can be improved
requirements are laid out simply, are when systematically implemented. and money can be saved.
represented spatially and are better Gertrude Stein (American writer/ This approach highlights the rules
understood, compliance increases poet 1874–1946) once said the following: and provides a map of the playing field
dramatically, rehabilitation costs reduce “Everybody gets so much information before requiring action from the players –
substantially and delays are minimised all day long that they lose their common offering a way to cut through the noise
considerably. sense.” The approaches proposed in this and to let common sense be heard.
Civil Engineering August 2018 9Randall Dirks Pr Eng, Pr CPM
Director
HHO Consulting Engineers
randall@hho.co.za
Construction of 2 Mℓ balancing reservoir
Sundwana Water Supply Scheme –
from stand-alone to regional
During its 2003 feasibility study, the Amathole District a total of 194 villages with a population of 126 242. The scope of
Municipality (ADM), the client, identified the Sundwana area in the SWSS was therefore increased to supply a further 168 villages,
the Willowvale magisterial district as the last to be supplied with including seven regional water schemes. Preliminary dam site
access to water in the region. investigations undertaken by HHO Consulting Engineers in 2007
The original Sundwana Water Supply Scheme (SWSS) would resulted in the Sundwana Dam being relocated to the Nqabara
supply potable water directly to 26 villages in the Sundwana area, River, with an increased gross capacity of 3.5 million m3.
with a total population of 6 388 (1 315 households). Although the The SWSS project is being implemented in seven phases to
feasibility study concluded that the Sundwana project should be facilitate early water supply to the Sundwana area. The phases can
implemented as a stand-alone scheme with its own surface water be outlined as follows:
source, it also recommended that the ADM should investigate
options that would increase the supply area, thereby improving PHASES 1A TO 1F – SUNDWANA WSS
the viability of the project. These phases entail the supply of water to the Sundwana area by
The Sundwana area is situated on the west bank of the Mbashe using temporary supplies from the Dutywa East Scheme. The
River near Collywobbles, and is approximately 28 km from scope of work envisaged under Phases 1A to 1F are as follows:
Dutywa towards the coast. The Nqabara River flows from Dutywa NN Construction of a 2 × 2 Mℓ master balancing reservoir
in a south-easterly direction to the sea, and the location of the NN 21 km of bulk gravity mains
dam site is about 15 km from Dutywa along the Nqabara River.
Completion of reinforcement to
PROJECT BACKGROUND the 2 Mℓ balancing reservoir
During the period 2007–2011, the ADM’s Planning, and
Operations and Maintenance divisions experienced significant
problems with the provision of water services in the greater
Dutywa and Willowvale areas. As the final remaining project
to be implemented in this area, the ADM decided that, in ac-
cordance with the recommendations from the feasibility study,
the supply area for the SWSS project had to be increased. This
resulted in the supply area of the dam being increased to serve
Civil Engineering August 2018 11Completed 2 x 2 Mℓ balancing reservoir
NN 143 km of village reticulation substantially in cost and scope, both funding mechanisms have
NN Nine 20 kℓ village storage reservoirs to be utilised – MIG funds can only be used for infrastructure
NN 267 standpipes. aimed at basic levels of service, whereas the RBIG is suitable
for funding larger infrastructure such as dams, large diameter
PHASE 1G – REGIONAL BULK WATER SUPPLY pipelines, and so forth.
TO EIGHT OTHER SCHEMES
To facilitate the provision of bulk water supply to 126 242 people, PROJECT PROGRESSION
it was proposed to build a dam of 3.5 million m3 along the Phases 1A, 1C, 1E, 1F and Phase 3 have already been built, while
Nqabara River. Raw water will gravitate to the new water treat- Phases 1B, 1D and 1G still have to go out to construction. Phases
ment works, from where it will be pumped in two directions to 1B and 1D are almost ready to go out, while Phase 1G requires
the master balancing reservoirs, and from these master reservoirs funding commitment and the finalisation of the detail design.
the water will gravitate further to the additional schemes. The Table 1 summarises the phases.
scope of work envisaged under Phase 1G is as follows:
NN Construction of a 3.5 million m3 earth dam SWSS CHALLENGES
NN Construction of a 583 kℓ/hr water treatment works One of the challenges being encountered during the project is
NN Construction of two pumps stations the scarcity of good dam building materials, which limits the
NN Construction of a 2 Mℓ clear-water reservoir construction sequence, and results in delays.
NN 500 m raw water main from the dam to the WTW A further challenge is the fact that environmental permits are
NN 20.2 km rising main from the WTW to the master reservoirs linked to time frames. Continued construction delays result in
NN Construction of a 6 km concrete access road. these permits expiring, requiring the environmental process to be
repeated, which is time-consuming and costly.
FUNDING
The SWSS project is being funded from two sources, namely ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and the Regional Throughout the project every effort has been made to ensure that
Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG). As the project has increased the implementation of this project has a minimal negative impact
Table 1 Project Phases
Phase Description Contractor grading
Construction of a water reticulation network in the Sundwana area which includes 48 km of
Sundwana Water Supply Phase 1A 7CE or higher
village reticulation pipelines
Construction of a water reticulation network in the Sundwana area which includes 25.9 km
Sundwana Water Supply Phase 1C 6CE or higher.
of village reticulation pipelines
Construction of a water distribution network in the Sundwana area which includes the
Sundwana Water Supply Phase 1E 7CE or higher
construction of approximately 21.45 km of bulk water pipelines
Sundwana Water Supply Phase 1F Construction of 11 reinforced concrete reservoirs in the Sundwana area 7CE or higher
Construction of a water reticulation network in the Sundwana area which includes 31.1 km
Sundwana Water Supply Phase 1B 7CE or higher
of village reticulation pipelines (EPWP guidelines)
Construction of a water reticulation network in the Sundwana area which includes 38 km of
Sundwana Water Supply Phase 1D 7CE or higher
village reticulation pipelines (EPWP guidelines)
12 August 2018 Civil EngineeringImplementing EPWP principles, work has been given to people of
the Sundwana villages during five phases of the project so far
on the environment. Collywobbles is an ancestral vulture
colony breeding along the eastern cliffs of the Mbashe River,
where the average height of the cliffs is 300 m.
This Cape Vulture breeding colony is estimated to have
approximately 200 breeding pairs – the largest and most im-
portant Cape Vulture breeding colony in the southern breeding
node, with Collywobbles being the largest breeding colony in
the Eastern Cape. The Cape Vulture breeding season com-
mences in late April and continues to December.
As it was feared that the intrusion and construction activity
in the area would unsettle the vulture colony and possibly Without change,
progress becomes
influence their breeding patterns, HHO project leader Brentt
Mossick proposed that the implementation of the project be
undertaken in phases.
The vulture colony area was therefore demarcated as a sensi-
tive area for restricted construction activities. The phased imple-
impossible
mentation would also meet the client’s need to progressively
serve certain areas with access to water. The use of Expanded
Public Works Programme (EPWP) methods would furthermore Our considered approach led us
allow smaller projects to be implemented in phases around the
sensitive area outside of the breeding season. In so doing the im-
to a rebrand that will allow us to
plementation of the project was scheduled around the breeding grow and build a South Africa
season in such a manner that the ‘delayed implementation’ would that is better for all.
have no impact on the service delivery targets of the client.
HHO revised the construction specifications to include full
EPWP guidelines to enable only labour-intensive construction www.hho.co.za
within a 5 km radius of the vulture colony, restricted to the months
of January to April, with no heavy plant to be utilised on site, and
rock blasting limited to four-hour windows per day, once a week.
PROJECT MILESTONES
The project’s success so far has been the client’s commitment to
building the smaller infrastructure first, whilst waiting for the
bigger infrastructure to be implemented. In this manner work
has been given to the people of the Sundwana villages during five
phases of the project. As soon as the temporary water source is
reached, they will also be able to receive much‑needed water. Consulting
Civil Engineering August 2018 13
EngineersThe landscaped eighth-floor ‘Central Park’ which
will run the entire length of the Harbour Arch precinct
to be constructed in Cape Town (artist’s rendering)
Bringing nature into building design
population this question is particularly (Berlin, mid-November) that will be
Nicholas Stopforth
Managing Director
relevant to where we live and work. celebrating innovation in design across
Amdec Property Developments Although property development and 68 countries. Buildings on the shortlist,
nicole@irvinepartners.co.za nature might not automatically go hand across more than 30 categories, feature
in hand, more and more developers are creative ideas for natural ventilation
moving towards incorporating nature into and light, as well as water-saving and
A GROWING GLOBAL TREND building design. energy-efficient solutions.
The question nagging at the world’s This is also evident in this year’s An associated global trend on the rise
global conscience is: How can we better nominees for the tenth World in major city centres is rooftop gardens.
protect our planet? With a growing world Architecture Festival awards event Hubs like Hong Kong, Tokyo, Rotterdam
and New York are becoming known for
The eco-friendly Harbour Arch precinct will be con urban farming initiatives, not only to
structed on the Cape Town foreshore over the beautify the environment, but also to
next five to seven years (artist’s rendering)
boost food resources.
This movement coincides with a
dramatic growth in mixed-use develop-
ments featuring apartments, hotels, shops,
gyms and restaurants, as developers aim at
innovatively creating green spaces, using in-
ternational best practice to design an urban
environment that is redefining city living.
CLOSER TO HOME
Johannesburg has long been considered
the world’s largest man-made urban
forest, boasting over 10 million trees.
But Cape Town could be playing
catch-up. Its city skyline is set to change
as it sees its first environmentally-friendly
mixed-use development come to fruition
14 August 2018 Civil Engineeringgreen building initiatives such as refuse
recycling, water-saving devices, rainwater
harvesting, a centralised district cooling
facility and low-energy LED lighting.
The growing global phenomenon
of new urban architecture (walkable
mixed-use precincts with the potential
of maximising efficient water and
energy use, as opposed to stand-alone
buildings) will manifest magnificently
in Harbour Arch – as a complex where
one could live, work, play and stay in
a safe, convenient, sustainable and
community-focused environment.
DESIGN CHALLENGES
The scale of the development (200 000 m2
Street view of a user-friendly Harbour of very valuable property) requires large
Arch precinct (artist’s rendering) and complicated design solutions, par-
ticularly regarding the unique landscaping
over the next few years – Harbour precinct, situated at the confluence of layout, water-saving measures (including
Arch. Harbour Arch will be built on the the N1 and N2 near the CBD, will be the rain harvesting) and extensive service
foreshore by the Amdec Group, who also complex’s leafy rooftop towering over the supply. The design also has to include fu-
developed Johannesburg’s iconic and city’s harbour on the one side and looking ture proofing slabs to allow potential con-
award-winning Melrose Arch. out towards Table Mountain on the other. version of possible surplus parking levels
The most eye-catching feature of the Sustainability and eco-friendly innova- into offices or shops. The notorious Cape
5.8-hectare mixed-use Harbour Arch tion will be key focus areas, incorporating wind is another major factor to be borne in
Civil Engineering August 2018 15
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CONSTRUCTION, COST, EMPLOYMENT
Harbour Arch, positioned as a new
gateway to the Cape Town CBD and
valued at around R10 billion, will be a
mixed-use development, constructed over
five to seven years, and will comprise six
individual towers, linked by a landscaped
eighth-floor ‘Central Park’ running
the entire length of the precinct. This
interlinked podium level will be tenanted
by restaurants, coffee shops, cocktail bars
and gyms, as well as convenience retail Artist’s rendering of the safe and friendly Harbour Arch environment at night
and lifestyle outlets.
Easily accessible by both public and The sod-turning for the first building, 12 000 construction jobs alone on the
private transport, the development will Tower 1 (which will cost approximately full precinct). Beyond that, two Marriott-
include green landscaped public spaces, R1.2 billion to build and is expected to branded hotels destined for the site will
cosmopolitan streetscapes, open-air be ready for occupation by the end of secure about 400 permanent jobs, with
squares, pedestrian-friendly walkways, 2020), will take place in October this year. retail and lifestyle spaces holding further
and carefully articulated indoor/ The construction of Tower 1 will create potential for permanent positions.
outdoor spaces. around 2 500 jobs (with approximately Tower 1 will comprise 432 residential
apartments, two motor dealerships, and
retail, leisure and commercial office
space. In addition to a residents-only
pool, exercise area and terrace, all located
on the 17th floor, the building will also
feature a roof garden and viewing deck
on the 24th floor. Tenders for the bulk
earthworks went out in June of this
year, followed shortly thereafter by the
construction tender.
IN CONCLUSION
Smart cities combine the perks of modern
technology with the feel of old-time vil-
lage living – with walkable, pedestrianised
streets and green spaces.
Nature has long been lauded for its
positive impact on the human psyche,
Tower 1 will comprise 432 upmarket residential
apartments; Type F (below) has a view over the harbour and there are indeed countless studies
while Type E (above) looks towards Table Mountain and reports on the benefits of green
spaces for our mental health, so incorpo-
rating these into building design makes
perfect sense.
New-urbanist precincts such as
Melrose Arch and Harbour Arch revolve
around the principle of being close to
everything one needs in daily life, with
all one’s requirements accessible by foot.
But it’s the outdoor spaces – the piazza-
style squares and courtyards for dog-
walking or people-watching – that give
these inner-city developments a sense
of community.
Capetonians will undoubtedly be
looking forward to this new development
on their doorstep.
16 August 2018 Civil EngineeringBANK
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Moving Forward is a trademark of The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited. SBSA GMS-2346 04/18Welcome to the Anthropocene
This article, written by Nick King, first appeared
as a post on Aurecon’s Just Imagine blog,
and is re-published here with the company’s
kind permission.
A NEW GEOLOGICAL EPOCH
There’s nothing more innocuous than
a single sheet of cling film, wrapped
around your chicken mayo sandwich.
But add up all those sandwiches and
suddenly you’re looking at a picnic of
cataclysmic proportions. Professor Jan
Zalasiewicz of Leicester University has
revealed that if all the plastic waste
produced to date were converted to cling
film, it would be enough to not only wrap
billions of sandwiches and leftovers,
but the entire planet! Welcome to the
Anthropocene – a new geological epoch and other finite resources, humanity’s fix any environmental problem either
that recognises the mark that humans impact has started to significantly alter now or later has shifted to needing to be
have made on Earth. the geological patterns and compositions fixed now. Next, the climate of globalisa-
The concerning thing is, plastic of our habitats and atmosphere in a tion has changed. The world is no longer
waste is only one facet of a much larger measurable way. just interconnected; it is now interdepen-
set of interconnected impacts arising Is it really possible that the Earth, dent. Lastly, the climate of technology has
from our civilisation. With an estimated which managed to outlive the ice age changed; people are adapting to a world
16 million tons of plastic added to our and mass meteor destruction, could be with cloud computing, artificial intel-
oceans annually, combined with civilisa- derailed by the human species which, ligence and big data. These changes have
tion’s other waste products dispersing in relative terms, has just joined the created a business environment where
into the environment, we could face geological time scale? Many scientists you can analyse, optimise, prophesise,
everything from unpredictable climate would say yes. Is this the end of life as we customise and digitise anything,”
change to mass extinction. Some would know it? Or is this another tale of creative Friedman says.
argue that the end of the world is nigh. adaptation? You decide. If we want to discern the times, we
Most would say we’re to blame for it, have to start by understanding that we
regardless of where your apocalyptic A CHANGE IN THE CLIMATES have no time. There is a sense of urgency
leanings lie. OF THE CLIMATE underpinning the Anthropocene, where
The term ‘Anthropocene’ was coined Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and we no longer have the luxury of ‘later’. If
by Nobel Prize winning scientist Paul best-selling author, Thomas Friedman, ar- in the past you could delay any climate
Crutzen in 2000, asserting that the gues that we are in the middle of not or environmental problem for later,
predominance of earth’s major natural one but three simultaneous ‘climate today there is no later. Later, will sadly be
systems over billions of years has been changes’ – one environmental, one eco- too late.
overhauled by human activity in an nomic, and one technological. The key is to study and consider these
infinitesimal period of time. Through “First, there is climate change, and the three climate changes and see how we
our insatiable appetite for fossil fuels knowledge that the time where we could can get the most out of these changes,
18 August 2018 Civil EngineeringYou can also read
