Housing in Southern Africa February 2015

Infrastructure & Mixed Use

set, the fibres reinforce the concrete, preventing crack propagation and providing a safe plastic failure mode. It is available in two thicknesses: CC5 and CC8, which are 5 mm and 8 mm thick respectively. The benefits include: It can be laid at a rate of 200m²/hour, up to 10 times faster than conventional concrete solutions. It is available in shorter rolls that are manageable by hand for applications with limited access. The concrete is pre-mixed so there is no need for mixing, measuring or compacting, just add water. The speed and ease of installation means that it is more cost-effective than conventional concrete, with less logistical complexity. Concrete Canvas is a lowmass, low carbon technology, which uses up to 95% less material than conventional concrete for many applications. It is waterproof and the PVC back- ing on one surface of the GCCM en- sures that the material has excellent impermeability. The strong fibre reinforcement prevents cracking, absorbs energy from impacts and provides a stable failure mode. The durable product offers double the abrasion resistance as standard OPC concrete, has excellent chemical re- sistance and will not degrade in UV. The flexible product has good drape characteristics andwill closely follow the ground profile and fit around existing infrastructure. ■

Concrete Canvas

T he vibrant Eastern Cape city of Mthatha has been undergoing a massive upgrade with the injection of R5 billion to rehabilitate the city’s infrastructure. This includes the transformation of the Mthatha Airport, a new ter- minal building and runways, a two lane bridge to ease traffic congestion around the city streets, and the open- ing of the 60 bed Mthatha Hospital. The former Transkei capital situ- ated midway between Durban and East London is the gateway to the world famous Wild Coast. As the key economic hub in the region, the city supplies goods and services to 15 neighbouring towns. The new BT Ngebs Mall opening in April 2015 will offer 58 808m² of retail space, 1 975 parking bays and will service 390 000 households in the region including Flagstaff, Mvezo and Libode. Concrete Canvas is used specifical- ly for the lining of culverts, channels, slope protection, and remediation of existing concrete structures. Con- crete Canvas is part of a revolutionary new class of construction materials called Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats (GCCM). It is a flex- ible, concrete impregnated fabric K aytech recently signed a dis- tributorship agreement with Concrete Canvas to supply Geosynthetic Cementitious Compos- ite Mats into the South African civil engineering industry, including road and rail applications.

that hardens on hydration to form a thin, durable, water proof and fire resistant concrete layer. Essentially, it’s concrete on a roll. Concrete Can- vas allows concrete construction without the need for plant or mixing equipment. Simply position the mat and just add water. It consists of a 3-dimensional fibre matrix containing a specially formulated dry concrete mix. A PVC backing on one surface of the mat ensures that the material is com- pletely waterproof. The material is hydrated either by spraying, or by being fully immersed in water. Once

Construction boom in Mthatha

According to Zuki Khumalo from Pam Golding Properties Mthatha, “There is still a huge residential stock shortage and that has really pushed up house prices, particularly in popu- lar suburbs such as Northcrest, Ikwezi and Mbuqe Extension. However, from 2015 this will be alleviated with a number of developments rolling out in the Gap housing and mid- dle-income market. At the recently

completed 49 residential units at The Palms in Ncambedlana, prices range from R489 000 for a 40m² unit, R545 000 for 50m² and R598 000 for a 62m² unit. Another new develop- ment, Fernhill, will offer 88 units for the Gap and affordable market, in Ncambedlana. The project was launched in 2013 and construction and services are underway. “There is a huge demand for rental stock.” ■

February 2015