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An investigation into the feasibility of hybrid concrete construction in South Africa

Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.

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Main Author: Jurgens, Christiaan Johannes
Other Authors: Wium, Jan
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2008
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access_status_str Open Access
author Jurgens, Christiaan Johannes
author2 Wium, Jan
author_browse Jurgens, Christiaan Johannes
Wium, Jan
author_facet Wium, Jan
Jurgens, Christiaan Johannes
author_sort Jurgens, Christiaan Johannes
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University
description Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/3038
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:46:44.579Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2008
publishDateRange 2008
publishDateSort 2008
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
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source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/3038 An investigation into the feasibility of hybrid concrete construction in South Africa Jurgens, Christiaan Johannes Wium, Jan Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Civil Engineering. Hybrid concrete construction HCC Composite construction Prefabricated connection design Precast concrete construction Dissertations -- Civil engineering Theses -- Civil engineering Civil engineering Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. Introduction South Africa is currently experiencing a significant increase in infrastructure investment. Forecasts by BMI-BRSCU have shown that the building and construction industry is expected to grow considerably to 2010, before languishing slightly to 2015. This growth will be driven in particular by investment in non-residential building (41% growth) and construction (73% growth) activities. Even beyond 2015 however, the demand will still be high on the construction industry to provide infrastructure for South Africa’s growing population. South Africa is also facing a serious shortage of engineers, technicians and other skilled workers in the construction industry. This places high demands on designers and contractors to provide services and to realise projects in ever-reducing time periods and at less cost. These conditions have made it increasingly difficult to maintain the required quality of construction in an industry where mistakes can lead to disastrous consequences. Recent advances in structural materials, structural systems and the way in which projects are handled, now enables a new look at the possibilities of combining pre-fabrication with on site work. This method, known as Hybrid Concrete Construction (HCC), has the potential to revolutionize the South African construction industry if applied correctly. Local research into this technique is however required and it is the aim of this thesis to draw attention to this subject. Key Findings Hybrid Concrete Construction (HCC) can be applied to any structural project, it will however not necessarily be successful. A structure needs to be adapted from the very start to suit a particular construction method. This ensures that all the advantages of the selected construction method may be achieved. Adapting a structure to a different construction method requires a mutual understanding and commitment from all project participants, including the architect, engineer, contractor and client. HCC also requires a certain degree of repetition in a project to be financially viable. A theoretical cost exercise was performed where only the material and erection costs were considered. In this exercise, HCC was found to be slightly less expensive than other construction methods for the Office Building of more than 10 storeys. HCC was also found to be significantly faster than other construction methods for the Office Building of more than 3 storeys. The time calculation was however based on the simplified time estimates from one source. Because of HCC’s shorter estimated construction period, the client can expect to earn revenue from a much earlier date. This decreases the relative cost of a HCC project. This advantage, however, needs to be quantified for chosen South African projects. On-site safety is still an important issue with HCC projects. Labourers are not accustomed to this construction method and it may be necessary to alter current skill development programs to include a crane safety course. The training of qualified riggers and crane operators should receive priority if HCC is to develop in South Africa. This preliminary investigation has shown that Hybrid Concrete Construction (HCC) can be feasible for the South African market. Further investigation is however required to determine the parameters for which HCC would be the preferred construction method. Recommendations Based on the findings and conclusions of this investigation, the following recommendations are made. The following actions should be undertaken by individual South African companies: · Develop relationships with external project partners · Train competent riggers and crane operators The South African concrete industry should invest in the following actions: · Invest in mass-producing precast concrete facilities · Develop a central database of South African projects with information on time, costs, project concepts and layouts to be used as a guideline for decision making · Develop local guidelines for the production and application of self compacting concrete · Compile guidelines for the design and construction of HCC and precast concrete construction in South Africa · Develop a local hidden corbel type connection to its full potential 2008-05-08T12:58:51Z 2010-06-01T09:04:42Z 2008-05-08T12:58:51Z 2010-06-01T09:04:42Z 2008-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/3038 en Stellenbosch University 7053506 bytes application/pdf application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle Hybrid concrete construction
HCC
Composite construction
Prefabricated connection design
Precast concrete construction
Dissertations -- Civil engineering
Theses -- Civil engineering
Civil engineering
Jurgens, Christiaan Johannes
An investigation into the feasibility of hybrid concrete construction in South Africa
title An investigation into the feasibility of hybrid concrete construction in South Africa
title_full An investigation into the feasibility of hybrid concrete construction in South Africa
title_fullStr An investigation into the feasibility of hybrid concrete construction in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed An investigation into the feasibility of hybrid concrete construction in South Africa
title_short An investigation into the feasibility of hybrid concrete construction in South Africa
title_sort investigation into the feasibility of hybrid concrete construction in south africa
topic Hybrid concrete construction
HCC
Composite construction
Prefabricated connection design
Precast concrete construction
Dissertations -- Civil engineering
Theses -- Civil engineering
Civil engineering
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/3038
work_keys_str_mv AT jurgenschristiaanjohannes aninvestigationintothefeasibilityofhybridconcreteconstructioninsouthafrica
AT jurgenschristiaanjohannes investigationintothefeasibilityofhybridconcreteconstructioninsouthafrica