Construction World August 2015

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD AUGUST 2015
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The ACT course, which is globally
accepted as the leading qualifi-
cation in concrete technology, is
examined by the UK-based Insti-
tute of Concrete Technology. The ICT
is a professional affiliate body of the
UK Engineering Council and promotes
concrete technology as a recognised
engineering discipline.
The School of Concrete Technology in
Midrand – the only training institution in
Africa sanctioned to present the respected
ACT course – offers ACT training every two
years and over the past 24 years, 77 students
have passed the demanding course and
received ACT diplomas. "In many instances,
the ACT Diploma has been a major career
stepping stone for past students who now
occupy important academic and industrial
leadership positions in South Africa, " Theo-
dosiou states.
"Concrete is one of the most widely used
materials in infrastructural construction all
around the world. Yet many civil engineers –
regardless of their professional field of prac-
tice and past general experience – still do not
have sufficient state-of-the art knowledge
to take full advantage of the many benefits
of concrete as a building material – and also
understand its limitations.
"It has, with some justification, been
said that civil engineers 'build the world'.
Certainly, when in a decision-making
consulting capacity, civil engineers carry
tremendous responsibility for the design
and construction of multi-million rand
dams, bridges, buildings, canals, roads, and
pipelines to name just a few type of projects.
Failure of some of these structures would not
only be costly but also disastrous to neigh-
bouring communities. A key factor to prevent
such devastating failures is knowledge
of concrete technology, and how to build
durable, safe concrete structures.
"Consulting engineers should, for
example, know that the serviceability and
performance of concrete depend not only
on its strength but also on its durability.
They should understand the limitations of
concrete with respect to durability issues.
Generally, the present day civil engineer
should be fully familiar with concrete science.
The Advanced Concrete Technology course
helps to provide this essential knowledge,"
Theodosiou adds.
The ACT course covers about 75 topics,
including essential training for civil
engineers in subjects like principles of
reinforced and pre-stressed concrete,
assessment of concrete construction, special
processes and technology for particular types
of structures, repairing concrete, Quality
Control, and standards, specifications and
Codes of Practice.
CONCRETE EXPERTISE imperative
An in-depth knowledge
of concrete technology
is important for civil
engineers to perform
key construction
projects adequately and
responsibly, says Gary
Theodosiou, lecturer at
The Concrete Institute's
School of Concrete
Technology which will
be presenting another
Advanced Concrete
Technology (ACT) course
from January 2016.
The target audience for the course includes
qualified and experienced civil engineers,
cement chemists, the full spectrum of cement
and concrete industries, as well as the
mining sector. Delegates who pass a specific
research thesis and successfully complete
two three-hour examinations will receive
the ACT diploma and qualify for corporate
membership of the ICT.
Recommended entrance requirements
is an appropriate qualification in civil engi-
neering or any other appropriate branch of
science and technology. Successful comple-
tion of the School of Concrete Technology's
SCT 41 and 42 Concrete Technology and
Construction correspondence courses, aimed
at improving concrete technology knowledge
of civil engineering technicians or engineers,
and other appropriate qualifications could
also facilitate admission to the course.
For more information about the ACT
course, contact Course Administrator,
Rennisha Sewnarain via email:
Gary Theodosiou, lecturer at The School of
Concrete Technology.
I