SAISC comment

Volume 40 No. 2 2016

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

Front Cover: Kirstenbosch Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway(“ Boomslang”)

Photo by Adam Harrower

PUBLISHED BY

Southern African Institute of Steel Construction 1st Floor, Block C 43 Empire Road, Parktown West P O Box 291724, Melville 2109 Tel + 27( 0) 11 726 6111 Fax + 27( 0) 11 482 9644 info @ saisc. co. za www. saisc. co. za

EDITOR Denise Sherman

Tel + 27( 0) 11 726 6111 denise @ saisc. co. za

SUB-EDITOR Spencer Erling spencer @ saisc. co. za

ART DIRECTOR

Sandra Addinall Tel + 27( 0) 11 868 3408 cbtdesign @ adcot. co. za

Repro & Print Camera Press

Tel + 27( 0) 11 334 3815

Advertising

Viv van Zyl Tel + 27( 0) 16 349 6839 Cell + 27( 0) 82 492 8603 Fax + 27( 0) 86 647 2788 viv @ lantic. net

Southern African Institute of Steel Construction

( SAISC) Chief Executive Officer

Paolo Trinchero paolo @ saisc. co. za

Education Director Spencer Erling, PrEng. spencer @ saisc. co. za

ISF Director

Neels van Niekerk neels @ isf. co. za

SASFA Director John Barnard john. barnard @ saol. com

SAMCRA Director Dennis White dennis @ saisc. co. za

POLASA Kobus de Beer kobus @ saisc. co. za

Views expressed in articles and advertisements are not necessarily the views of the SAISC.

Articles or extracts thereof may be reproduced provided that prior permission is obtained from the publisher and full acknowledgement is given.

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SAISC COMMENT Engaging stakeholders and seeking solutions.............. 2

PROFILES Spencer visits new SAISC member TW Tube and Laser Processing.................................................. 4

The SAISC School of Draughting: Developing quality structural steel detailers................................... 6

Q & A with John Swallow of Cadex SA.......................... 8

INDUSTRY NEWS The SAISC Steel Awards: Sponsors......................... 12 Industry news in brief................................................. 13

Trends: Promoting SA steel industry to Ethiopia’ s architects................................................... 16

FEATURE Tubular construction takes a giant leap forward with the advent of laser and plasma profiling equipment................................................................. 18

TECHNICAL Out of the box and into the fire: student innovations doomed to failure.................................... 20

Basics of Steel Course.............................................. 23

Structural hollow sections: For efficient tubular structures avoid class 4 tubes................................... 24

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT Tough times call for a man( ager) of steel................... 26

SAISC SUBSIDIARIES ISF: ISF steps up international marketing of Southern Africa’ s structural steelwork and general construction capability............................................... 28

SAMCRA: Post construction installations on roofs and service access.......................................................... 30

SASFA: SASFA training course for building contractors.......... 32

POLASA: POLASA making steady progress............................. 33

irst impressions tend to last, or at the very least … tend to be difficult to reverse if you mess them up. So it’ s with sweaty palms that I’ m poised to type my first Editor’ s note for Steel Construction.

Seeking a bit of reassurance, or perhaps because I’ m curious by nature, I delved into old issues of the journal to see how best to continue the legacy of excellence established by my predecessor. A fresh faced and smiling Reneé greeted me in the June 2003 edition. With a deep breath, calmed nerves, and a bit of a longwinded introduction out of the way...

I’ m finally ready.

Reneé, thank you for being a key role player in building Steel Construction into the formidable publication it is. It’ s taken a team of contributors, advertisers and suppliers working together under your guidance and leadership. I look forward to continuing what you’ ve established, and expanding the reach and relevance of the journal.

Now for a bit about me … I worked as a Marketing Manager in the training industry before running my own visual productions company, where I worked with Eskom, ArcelorMittal, Nampak, Danone to name a few. I’ m a passionate writer, keen photographer and obsessive East African coffee drinker.

Taking over as Editor of Steel Construction, and Marketing Manager of the SAISC has already been such a fulfilling experience. Each and every individual at the Institute has a positive outlook despite the fact that the industry is facing turbulent times. In the limited interaction I’ ve had with our members I’ ve come to realise that this camaraderie, tenacity and strength of character is part of the identity of the steel industry. Yes, times are tough. But when you’ re“ walking through the valley of the shadow of death” you should grab a friend by the hand and“ just keep walking”. Also … try not to mix Biblical quotes with whiskey marketing taglines. That never ends well.

So here I am. Fresh faced and smiling in the 2nd Steel Construction issue of 2016. I am probably going to make some horrible rookie mistakes. I hope I make a good first impression, and that you will be gracious with me as I walk this road.

Patricia, Rubi, Marle, Debbie, Tiana, Kobus, Amanuel, Neels, John, Dennis, and last but not least, Spencer and Paolo – thank you for making me feel so at home.

Steel truly leaves a legacy!

Steel Construction Vol. 40 No. 2 2016 1