An invaluable source of information on the science and practice of concrete…
The Concrete Beton journal is a unique publication providing an invaluable source of information on the science and practice of concrete, reaching professional disciplines that encompass project management, consulting, civil engineering, construction management, architecture, quantity surveying, as well as specialist material supplies in the concrete sector.
In the fast-track world of construction Concrete Beton keeps industry professionals informed on the latest developments in this field, at home and from around the globe, to ensure best practice solutions continue to be applied in building South Africa’s infrastructure.
The editorial content provides a balance between scientific and technical discussions on concrete; includes features on industry projects and reports on events, seminars and general activities of the Concrete Society.
Concrete Beton is published quarterly by the Society and printed versions are mailed exclusively to its members. Electronic versions in PDF format of all issues are available through their website…. Concretesociety.co.za
We wish all fathers /dads / daddy’s a fabulous day!
You have earned it, just for being you!
It’s Father’s Day. I believe it should be called Daddy’s Day! I honestly feel that any man can be a father; it doesn’t take much skill, but it takes a Real Man to be a Daddy!
Seen below is our experiment with white concrete, freshly poured and waiting to dry. Once dry, we will grind and polish it to perfection.
Although white cement has been around for along time, it is only comparatively recently that designers have begun to use it to achieve the striking color effects that white concrete can so ably supply. The product’s major asset, aside form its striking architectural beauty, is its ability to remain white throughout its life. White concrete, obviously, is not a surface treatment that can deteriorate with age.
Experimentation can give big rewards since the color can serve either as a blank unobtrusive background, or be made to create an entirely new overall color effect. It is here that the use of pigments has its main value; a white cement is always preferable as the basis for a colored matrix, both because it is uniform in color to begin with (and therefore makes sample and remix matching easier), and because it allows a larger range of colors to be obtained.
Is dirt accumulation a bit of a problem…? NO WORRIES… the experts say proper clean-up inside and proper drainage outside should take care of normal dirt or contamination troubles. Indoors, the recommended treatment for white concrete surfaces is simply a daily sweeping, damp mopping once a month, and scrubbing with a clean rotary machine every two or three months.
We are currently busy grinding an existing floor for the new Amazon Call Centre in Cape Town on the 10th floor.
Other new concrete projects include a new warehouse for Twee Jonge Gezellen in Tulbach…
As well as the new warehouse for Pot Belly Pantry in Klapmuts.
We have also been awarded to supply and fix the new concrete floors and to grind and polish them for the Goldfields Student Dining and Kitchen Facility in Stellenbosch.
To have a single day in a year set aside to honour mothers may seem like comical joke because mothers aught to be praised every day! However, it is a super opportunity to consider the special mom in your life. Not one of us would be here if it were not for our mothers.
Have you noticed how many new modern homes are built using concrete as the main component.? Complimenting the raw urban / industrial look perfectly is lots of beautiful wood, and also glass.
The benefits of home builders using concrete in this way are endless, but the main ones are:
Wall thickness, size and shape can be done completely unique – bespoke to the needs or wants of you / your home;
Walls or panels can be moulded off site, or on-site;
Construction time can be greatly reduced;
Insulation and durability are exceptional;
Fireproof, waterproof, and totally Eco-Friendly;
Totally BEAUTIFUL!!
Contact us for your next modern concrete building project.!
A freestanding bell tower, containing 7 bells and 8 floors, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa, known worldwide for its unintended tilt. The tower is situated behind the Pisa Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in the city’s Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo), after the cathedral and the Pisa Baptistry.
Some of you may guess that it leans because the foundation was too soft on the one side.? That is correct. The tower began to sink after construction had progressed to the second floor. This was due to a mere three-metre foundation, set in weak, unstable clay subsoil, a design that was flawed from the beginning. Construction was halted for almost a century, because the Republic of Pisa was almost continually engaged in battles with Genoa, Lucca, and Florence. This allowed time for the underlying soil to settle, lucky for the tower. Otherwise, it would most certainly have toppled over, and then there would NOT have been such a world famous mistake for all to see.
These days, having learnt from mistakes such as these, foundations we build are deeper, stronger and consist primarily of concrete and steel.
No more leaning towers!
Other interesting facts about the Leaning Tower of Pisa:
Building work began in 1173, the process by which the leaning tower of Pisa had transformed into the monument as we know it today was long and drawn out. In fact, it took over 800 years from start to finish – probably the longest construction time in the world! That is a long time for an 8 floor building.! Actual time of Construction of the tower occurred in three stages over 199 years.
internal stairwell on 7th floor
Numerous efforts have been made to restore the tower to a vertical orientation or at least keep it from falling over. Most of these efforts failed; some worsened the tilt. On February 27, 1964, the government of Italy requested aid in preventing the tower from toppling. It was, however, considered important to retain the current tilt, due to the role that this element played in promoting the tourism industry of Pisa.
A multinational task force of engineers, mathematicians, and historians gathered on the Azores islands to discuss stabilisation methods. It was found that the tilt was increasing in combination with the softer foundations on the lower side. Many methods were proposed to stabilise the tower, including the addition of 800 tonnes of lead counterweights to the raised end of the base.
The tower and the neighbouring cathedral, baptistery, and cemetery are included in the Piazza del Duomo UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was declared in 1987.
The tower was closed to the public on January 7, 1990, after more than two decades of stabilisation studies and spurred by the abrupt collapse of the Civic Tower of Pavia in 1989. The bells were removed to relieve some weight, and cables were cinched around the third level and anchored several hundred meters away. Apartments and houses in the path of the tower were vacated for safety. The solution chosen to prevent the collapse of the tower was to slightly straighten it to a safer angle by removing 38 cubic metres (1,342 cubic feet) of soil from underneath the raised end. The tower was straightened by 45 centimetres (17.7 inches), returning to its 1838 position. After a decade of corrective reconstruction and stabilization efforts, the tower was reopened to the public on December 15, 2001 and was declared stable for at least another 300 years. In May 2008, engineers announced that the tower had been stabilized such that it had stopped moving for the first time in its history.
Today it is still the most popular place to see in Pisa, Italy, and is considered one of the seven wonders of the middle ages. Over 1 Million people visit it each year.
We won’t all be that lucky with our construction mistakes. Make sure you get an expert to work on your concrete project. Contact the Conserv Group today for your project quote.
Reinforced concrete is the only building material that is highly resistant to both water and fire
Concrete is virtually fire-proof. It doesn’t burn, it can’t be set on fire, and it doesn’t release toxic fumes when it comes into contact with flames. And thanks to the slow rate of thermal conductivity of concrete – or heat transfer – concrete is an effective fire shield. That’s why buildings and other structures made from concrete are able to survive a fire when everything around goes up in flames.
Concrete is also naturally water resistant. The use of membranes and special concrete mixes can make it virtually waterproof, making concrete the ideal building material for underground structures like lower levels, basements, and parking structures, and bomb or storm shelters.
FYI….. Today, concrete is the world’s most-popular man-made building product. More than 7 billion cubic meters of concrete are produced each year. That’s one cubic meter for every person on the planet! And concrete is used by engineers and professional builders around the globe for an almost endless list of projects.
Concrete is a very popular material for high-end counter-tops, sinks, fireplaces as well as floors
The fact that concrete can withstand water with ease has made it a popular choice for garden décor and outdoor furniture. But concrete can be used to beautify the inside of the home, too. Concrete’s incredible versatility and durability makes it the perfect building material for custom countertops, sinks, and fireplaces.
And concrete floors can be a surprisingly economical way to give any indoor living space a sleek, contemporary look that’s low-maintenance and that will take a lifetime of wear and tear.
and it looks GREAT.!
FYI….. Concrete and cement are not the same.
Concrete is a mixture of 60 – 65% aggregates like sand, gravel, and crushed stone, 15 – 20% water, and only 10 – 15% cement. When mixed, the cement and water harden, binding the aggregates into the solid mass we call concrete. So, there is no such thing as a cement sidewalk!
The Concrete Beton journal is a unique publication providing an invaluable source of information on the science and practice of concrete, reaching professional disciplines that encompass project management, consulting, civil engineering, construction management, architecture, quantity surveying, as well as specialist material supplies in the concrete sector.
Conserv Group 