Housing in Southern Africa October-November 2016

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October/November 2016
Norwegian engineer, J Olav
Selvaag, developed the
Selcrete system as a solution
for quality, energy efficient low cost
housing. Selcrete has since proven
successful in the Scandinavian con-
struction industry and now for the
first time, this leading solution is be-
ing made available in Africa.
Selcrete recently completed No-
luthandoa, an early childhood de-
velopment project in Khayelitsha,
which impressed the City of Cape
TownMayoral Committeemember for
Social Development and Early Child-
hood Development, Suzette Little
says, “Establishments like these give
our children a better future. We are all
born with a God given talent. Oppor-
tunities are not reserved for certain
people or certain status groups but
for all of us.”
Selcrete CEO, Graeme Horwood
says that the day care centre ac-
commodates 265 children from two
months old to six year old. “Phase
Quick efficient and cost effective
1 included building a small utility
hall, an administration block and
classrooms using Selcrete blocks
that are made of cement, expanded
polystyrene beads, water and a bind-
ing agent. The pilot project includes
12 new structures.”
The blocks have a compressive
strength of 7 MPa and a dry density
between 250 kg/m³ to 600 kg/m³.
These blocks are produced in
moulds on site or factor with sizes of
590 x 190 x 150 mm for internal walls
and 590 x 190 x 190 mm for external
walls.
The blocks are laid in conventional
bonding method with mortar mixed
with Silkalite as a binding agent. A
20 mm tremmet Polyvinyl Chloride
mesh is applied to the external walls
and finished off with plaster on both
sides and painted. All services are
conventional and electrical conduits
andplumbing pipes are either surface
Globa l brand, Se l crete , i s
making inroads in South Africa’s
infrastructure and residential
sectors. The Agrément certified
innovative building system
offers a quality construction
solution that reduces cost and
environmental impact.
mounted or grouted in to the walls.
Horwood adds, “Projects can be
realisedmuch faster, in less than half
the time it takes for conventional
building systems. This could translate
to a saving of 25%. It is an attractive
solution for budget-conscious proj-
ects like Noluthando, or low-cost
housing, where quality and afford-
ability are important factors.”
Horwood explains the benefits of
the innovative building technology,
“Compared to brick and mortar the
system offers greater insulation and
fire resistant properties. The product
was developed in Norway. If it works
there, it canwork everywhere,” citing
South Africa’s wet cold climate and
hot summers. ■
T he world’s first safe and flex-
ible walkway bridge prototype,
developed by local engineer-
ing solutions organisation, SureGO!,
was one of the main attractions at
the recent Electra Mining Africa 2016
exhibition at Nasrec, Johannesburg.
Thousands of visitors made their
way to the SureGO! stand to take a
closer look at the intricacies of the
flexible walkway bridge. The pon-
toons or floats are fabricated from
HDPE, which is virtually indestructi-
ble and corrosion proof. Thewalkway
structure is fabricated frommild steel
and fully hot dipped galvanized to
ensureno corrosionon the structures.
The handrail system is developed us-
ing a combination of galvanized steel
with polyurethane.
Engineering company, SureGO!
aims to provide safe and flexible
temporary or permanent walkways
and bridges specially designed to be
used on water or shifting surfaces.
Continuous overhead protection
and roofing can also be provided to
protect users fromoverhead dangers
such as anchor cables as well as the
elements. All walkways and bridges
can be customised to suit the client’s
specific requirements. ■
Bridging the gap
Industry Buzz