The Civil Engineering Contractor June 2018 | Page 18

ON SITE The proximity to nearby buildings poses a challenge on the tight site, which is void of laydown area. rain, which causes all construction to be halted until the downpour passes. “Also, to achieve an A-grade finish of the building entails very strict specifications. We have to produce a quality product in a narrow time frame. “We were fortunate not to encounter any groundwater on site as this would have severely impacted the founding conditions for the piles as, if there had been significant groundwater, we would have had to bring in dump-rock to create a drain aquifer, as well as a platform on which the big machines would work.” He refers to the lack of space on the confined site and explains that an arrangement was made with a nearby office to use their boardroom for meetings and their parking area for their cars. Devan continues: “The piling operation will continue for another 16 - CEC June 2018 “Previously, dry Shotcrete was used. This new wet Shotcrete is an innovation; it reduces wastage massively and also produces a more consistent mix.” Dan Alford, Mega Pile three weeks and then Mega Pile Inland would have completed their scope of works as a specialist subcontractor responsible for the piling and lateral support contract. The main contractor to undertake the superstructure and complete the buildings, is recently appointed Tiber Construction, due to start in May.” (Ed's note: the interview took place in April.) The value of the development is in excess of R120-million to R130- million, Devan says, and adds that the project is aiming to optimise the ‘green’ effort. “We are at the early stage of the design development, so we have brought Solid Green on board to advise us on how best to optimise green building principles. We have commissioned a borehole on the site and with respect to water reuse, there will be subsoil drains to catch any water generated by seepage, for recycling. It will be a function of how much is generated, as well as the quality.” Bulk earthworks commenced after the builders’ break in January 2018, with the intention to complete the entire project by July 2019. Devan has only praise for the interaction the project has had with the authorities: “Surprisingly, the municipality has been extremely cooperative in respect of permits and so too, JRA has been collaborative with regard to truck movement in a congested area,” Devan stresses.