Housing in Southern Africa September 2015

Doors, Windows, Floors & Walls

Central Developments opts for

A combination of difficult soil conditions and an environmentally sensitive site presented tricky challenges for the design and construction teamat the Country Life Estate, currently under construction in Benoni, Gauteng.

I nitial geotechnical surveys did not reveal the high water table and challenging soil conditions on site. It was only after taking occupa- tion of the site to begin work that the construction team discovered that straightforward strip foundations and cast-in-situ floor slabs would not be an option. An engineer was appointed to revise the design. This included piled foundations and sus- pended ground beams for all 300 free standing units, a service centre, 200 apartments and frail care unit. The use of hollow core precast concrete slabs manufactured by Elematic South Africa (ESA) were specified for the project.

September 2015