Upload
big-project-middle-east
View
220
Download
4
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Big Project ME, your one-stop guide to construction developments in the region, The Big Project is the Middle East’s leading monthly B2B title for the construction industry.
Citation preview
BIG PROJECT ME CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT 2013
POURING OVER AN INDUSTRY
For more than 35 years, Grace Construction Products has been a trusted partner in the Middle East. Our innovative building materials and technologies solve some of the biggest challenges facing architects, engineers, specifiers and contractors. The proven performance of our products can be found in many of the most important structures around the world. Let us help solve the challenges of your next project.
n Structural Waterproofing n Concrete Admixtures and Fibresn Specialty Grouts and Injectionsn Architectural Concreten Cement Additives
Proven PerformanceTrusted Partner
Let’s talk about your next project.
Visit us at Middle East Concrete Stand # MEC C87
State-of-the-art Khalifa Port features Grace STRUX ® fibre reinforcement.
For our full line of products visit www.ae.graceconstruction.com.
+
GRACE® and STRUX® are trademarks, registered in the United States and/or other countries, of W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. This is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, nor has it been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by PMV Live and The Big 5. This trademark list has been compiled using available published information as of the publication date of this brochure and may not accurately reflect current trademark ownership or status. Grace Construction Products is a product group of W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. © Copyright 2013 W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
3MID
DLE
EA
ST
CONTENTS
CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT
EDITOR’S COMMENTThe first half of the year was an incredible six months for the GCC construction market, with a total of $67 billion worth of new contracts awarded, a 19% increase from the same period in 2012.
Despite the resurgence in the UAE and the continued growth of the Saudi Arabian market, it was Qatar that led the way with $15.9 billion in deals signed in H1.
The massive 230% increase from the second period of last year is indicative of the major role that Qatar is set to play in the regional construction market.
What this means for the regional concrete market is easy to guess. There’s big business to be had and it’s no wonder that suppliers are gearing up for a massive increase in demand. It is forecast that the GCC demand for concrete will reach as much as $49 billion within the next two years.
Leading this demand is the massive market of Saudi Arabia, where one million homes are set to be built by 2015, along with massive infrastructure projects, which include hospitals, schools and transportation projects.
So heavy is the demand in the Kingdom, local suppliers have long struggled to keep pace, as has been well documented.There’s clearly huge potential and opportunities for the region’s concrete suppliers, from ready-mix to precast and everything in between.
However, concerns remain about regulating this supply and making sure it measures up to international standards on all levels, from green building to safety. There’s still much to be done, but it’s heartening to see suppliers here taking the initiative and leading the industry towards this change.
Big Project ME hopes this concrete supplement will provide some hard facts to the industry and allow you to make better and informed decisions as the pace of construction picks up across the GCC.
Gavin Davids, Deputy Editor
Publisher Dominic De SouSa
GrOuP COO naDeem HooD
ManaGinG DireCtOr RicHaRD JuDD eDiToRiaL
GrOuP eDitOr STepHen [email protected] +971 4 375 5477
DePuty eDitOr GaVin [email protected] +971 375 5480
rePOrter neHa BHaTiS +971 4 440 9118
maRKeTinG & aDVeRTiSinG
PublishinG DireCtOr RaZ [email protected] +971 4 375 5471
COMMerCial DireCtOr micHaeL [email protected]
sales DireCtOr caRLo [email protected] +971 4 440 9151
MarKetinG ManaGer caRoLe [email protected] +971 4 375 5498
DeSiGn
seniOr GraPhiC DesiGner ReBecca Teece JuniOr GraPhiC DesiGner peRciVaL manaLaYSaY
ciRcuLaTion & pRoDucTion
Database anD CirCulatiOn ManaGerRaJeeSH [email protected] +971 4 440 9147
PrODuCtiOn ManaGer JameS p [email protected] +971 4 440 9146
CONTENTSCONCRETE UNDER PRESSUREBig Project ME looks at how companies are adapting to the changing demand of the market.
THE RIGHT STUFF
PUMPED-UP TRUCKS
TRUE TO FORM
4
12
THE HARD FACTS
16
21ON A STRONG FOUNDATION
24MACRO THINKING
28
30COMMENT
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
AD234x290_BigProject_HR.pdf 1 6/25/2013 6:31:19 PM
10
+971 4 375 5497
3MID
DLE
EA
ST
CONTENTS
CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT
EDITOR’S COMMENTThe first half of the year was an incredible six months for the GCC construction market, with a total of $67 billion worth of new contracts awarded, a 19% increase from the same period in 2012.
Despite the resurgence in the UAE and the continued growth of the Saudi Arabian market, it was Qatar that led the way with $15.9 billion in deals signed in H1.
The massive 230% increase from the second period of last year is indicative of the major role that Qatar is set to play in the regional construction market.
What this means for the regional concrete market is easy to guess. There’s big business to be had and it’s no wonder that suppliers are gearing up for a massive increase in demand. It is forecast that the GCC demand for concrete will reach as much as $49 billion within the next two years.
Leading this demand is the massive market of Saudi Arabia, where one million homes are set to be built by 2015, along with massive infrastructure projects, which include hospitals, schools and transportation projects.
So heavy is the demand in the Kingdom, local suppliers have long struggled to keep pace, as has been well documented.There’s clearly huge potential and opportunities for the region’s concrete suppliers, from ready-mix to precast and everything in between.
However, concerns remain about regulating this supply and making sure it measures up to international standards on all levels, from green building to safety. There’s still much to be done, but it’s heartening to see suppliers here taking the initiative and leading the industry towards this change.
Big Project ME hopes this concrete supplement will provide some hard facts to the industry and allow you to make better and informed decisions as the pace of construction picks up across the GCC.
Gavin Davids, Deputy Editor
Publisher Dominic De SouSa
GrOuP COO naDeem HooD
ManaGinG DireCtOr RicHaRD JuDD eDiToRiaL
GrOuP eDitOr STepHen [email protected] +971 4 375 5477
DePuty eDitOr GaVin [email protected] +971 375 5480
rePOrter neHa BHaTiS +971 4 440 9118
maRKeTinG & aDVeRTiSinG
PublishinG DireCtOr RaZ [email protected] +971 4 375 5471
COMMerCial DireCtOr micHaeL [email protected]
sales DireCtOr caRLo [email protected] +971 4 440 9151
MarKetinG ManaGer caRoLe [email protected] +971 4 375 5498
DeSiGn
seniOr GraPhiC DesiGner ReBecca Teece JuniOr GraPhiC DesiGner peRciVaL manaLaYSaY
ciRcuLaTion & pRoDucTion
Database anD CirCulatiOn ManaGerRaJeeSH [email protected] +971 4 440 9147
PrODuCtiOn ManaGer JameS p [email protected] +971 4 440 9146
CONTENTSCONCRETE UNDER PRESSUREBig Project ME looks at how companies are adapting to the changing demand of the market.
THE RIGHT STUFF
PUMPED-UP TRUCKS
TRUE TO FORM
4
12
THE HARD FACTS
16
21ON A STRONG FOUNDATION
24MACRO THINKING
28
30COMMENT
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
AD234x290_BigProject_HR.pdf 1 6/25/2013 6:31:19 PM
10
+971 4 375 5497
4 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
ConCrete MARKET bigprojectMe.coM
4 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
ConCrete MARKET bigprojectMe.coM
5CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
ConCrete MARKET
As the pace of construction in
the GCC accelerates while
infrastructure development and
expansion projects take shape,
it is easy to see why there is a sense of
renewed optimism around the various
supplier sectors that make up the
construction industry.
One vital supply line that is poised to
see a surge in demand is the concrete
sector, which is forecasted to reach $49
billion worth of demand within the GCC
over the next two years. Leading the
charge is Saudi Arabia, with more than
$30.5 billion of concrete forecasted to be
needed from 2014 to 2015.
Coming in second is the UAE, with $4
billion in demand forecasted, a reflection
of the country’s further advanced
infrastructure development. Overall, the
GCC construction sector shows no sign
of slowing down over the next few years,
with the demand for concrete following a
similar path.
Experts have predicted that Qatar and
Kuwait will also represent big business
for the sector, however the current focus
remains on the Kingdom and the UAE.
However, this increased demand poses
its own challenges and intensifies the
pressures on concrete suppliers.
E R Menon, the managing director of
Emirates Beton Readymix, a Dubai-based
ready-mix concrete manufacturer, says
that the last four or five years have been
especially challenging for his sector, given
the impact of the collapse of the real
estate bubble.
“As Emirates Beton, we’ve been in the
market since 2008. So you can say that
we started; and then the recession hit. So
we had a very tough time, being a new
company with a lot of overheads and so
on. Considering the boom that was going
on in 2007 and 2008, we had started the
company with a size which was adequate,
or big enough to cater to that market,” he
relates to Big Project ME.
Having been forced to tighten belts and
ride out the crisis, Menon says that having
a core customer base and a reputation
for quality helped ensure his company’s
survival during the lean years.
“In this company, we have some
captive volume, some captive business,
“WhEN WE TaLk abOUT ThE REady-Mix bUSiNESS, ThiS iS ONE fiELd WhERE i bELiEvE, Sad TO Say, ThE iNdUSTRy dOESN’T havE ThE baCkbONE OR ThE gUTS TO STaNd UP aNd Say ‘ThiS iS My COST aNd ThiS iS hOW i CaN SELL”
Big Project ME speaks to UAE based ready-mix suppliers to examine how the surge of construction is likely to impact them. Gavin Davids reports
ThE hARd
fAcTsSize of the concrete mArket
n total value of GCC demand: $49 billion
n Value of KSA demand: $30.5 billion
n Value of UAe demand: $4 billion
iN ThE MixThe boom at the end of the last decade brought many new companies into the market.
6 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
ConCrete MARKET bigprojectMe.coM
so we’ve been able to stand up and tide
through this crisis. We had the best
projects over the last four or five years
which were running in Dubai. We’ve
done the majority of the towers that have
come up in Business Bay. There are some
multinational companies who give all
their work to us, like Brookfield Multiplex,
so we’ve been able to ride through 2011
and 2012 – which were very bad,” he adds.
Now that normality is returning to the
UAE’s construction sector, Menon says
that there needs to be a change in the way
the construction industry perceives the
ready-mix concrete industry.
“I believe, the ready-mix business is
one field where, sad to say, the industry
doesn’t have the backbone or the guts to
stand up and say ‘this is my cost and this
is how I can sell’,” he laments.
“There are many people in the industry
who are not professional and who’ll just
look at this business and think you can
buy some trucks and pumps and laugh
all the way to the bank. We tried to get the
Dubai Economic Department to exercise
some control over the issuing of new
licenses, but we didn’t succeed because
we were told that this is a decision
that should come from the federal
government.”
“As far as the UAE government is
concerned, it’s a free economy and it’s a
free country for business. Not like Oman
or something, where they have some
ministry controls or government control,”
he says. “Anybody can come in, and this
is what happened many years ago when
there were few block factories here and
the block market was booming. Twenty
companies came into the market within
two years and then the market collapsed.”
“Similarly, in 2003 we had maybe 11
or 12 ready-mix companies in Dubai;
by 2008 we had 37. When they saw that
there was work, they flooded the market.
These people don’t know their costs;
they don’t know how to operate. It’s not a
complicated business, but I believe that
this is a business that only people with the
relevant experience can handle,” Menon
says, with a touch of ire.
This is clearly a major bugbear with the
concrete supplier sector, or at least those
that operate the right way. Thankfully,
it is clear that the relevant government
authorities are listening to their concerns;
with the Dubai Municipality (DM)
announcing that all ready-mix concrete
suppliers operating in the Emirate need to
register with the influential organisation.
Engineer Yusuf Abdullah Al Marzooqi,
acting director of Buildings Department
at DM, says that a joint team of Buildings
Department and Dubai Central
Laboratory (DCL) has been formed to
take care of the registration, monitoring
and issuing conformity certificate for the
ready-mix concrete companies and onsite
mixing units. He adds that contracting
companies and engineering consulting
offices are being urged not to use the
ready-mix concrete in any construction
site unless it was supplied by a registered
“Consultants Come to us in the early stages when they’re planning and we show them the best way of doing it, formulate the speCifiCations”
Saudi concrete demand
n KSA population:28 million
n Housing units to be built by 2015: 1 million
n Amount of concrete used in 2008: 30Mt
n Amount of concrete used in 2009: 37Mt
n Amount of concrete used in 2010: 45Mt
n Estimated number of ready-mix concrete companies in KSA: 350
n Projected amount of concrete required in KSA: 190Mm3
Source: Global Cement
on a rollDemand is recovering after a difficult few years.
6 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
ConCrete MARKET bigprojectMe.coM
so we’ve been able to stand up and tide
through this crisis. We had the best
projects over the last four or five years
which were running in Dubai. We’ve
done the majority of the towers that have
come up in Business Bay. There are some
multinational companies who give all
their work to us, like Brookfield Multiplex,
so we’ve been able to ride through 2011
and 2012 – which were very bad,” he adds.
Now that normality is returning to the
UAE’s construction sector, Menon says
that there needs to be a change in the way
the construction industry perceives the
ready-mix concrete industry.
“I believe, the ready-mix business is
one field where, sad to say, the industry
doesn’t have the backbone or the guts to
stand up and say ‘this is my cost and this
is how I can sell’,” he laments.
“There are many people in the industry
who are not professional and who’ll just
look at this business and think you can
buy some trucks and pumps and laugh
all the way to the bank. We tried to get the
Dubai Economic Department to exercise
some control over the issuing of new
licenses, but we didn’t succeed because
we were told that this is a decision
that should come from the federal
government.”
“As far as the UAE government is
concerned, it’s a free economy and it’s a
free country for business. Not like Oman
or something, where they have some
ministry controls or government control,”
he says. “Anybody can come in, and this
is what happened many years ago when
there were few block factories here and
the block market was booming. Twenty
companies came into the market within
two years and then the market collapsed.”
“Similarly, in 2003 we had maybe 11
or 12 ready-mix companies in Dubai;
by 2008 we had 37. When they saw that
there was work, they flooded the market.
These people don’t know their costs;
they don’t know how to operate. It’s not a
complicated business, but I believe that
this is a business that only people with the
relevant experience can handle,” Menon
says, with a touch of ire.
This is clearly a major bugbear with the
concrete supplier sector, or at least those
that operate the right way. Thankfully,
it is clear that the relevant government
authorities are listening to their concerns;
with the Dubai Municipality (DM)
announcing that all ready-mix concrete
suppliers operating in the Emirate need to
register with the influential organisation.
Engineer Yusuf Abdullah Al Marzooqi,
acting director of Buildings Department
at DM, says that a joint team of Buildings
Department and Dubai Central
Laboratory (DCL) has been formed to
take care of the registration, monitoring
and issuing conformity certificate for the
ready-mix concrete companies and onsite
mixing units. He adds that contracting
companies and engineering consulting
offices are being urged not to use the
ready-mix concrete in any construction
site unless it was supplied by a registered
“Consultants Come to us in the early stages when they’re planning and we show them the best way of doing it, formulate the speCifiCations”
Saudi concrete demand
n KSA population:28 million
n Housing units to be built by 2015: 1 million
n Amount of concrete used in 2008: 30Mt
n Amount of concrete used in 2009: 37Mt
n Amount of concrete used in 2010: 45Mt
n Estimated number of ready-mix concrete companies in KSA: 350
n Projected amount of concrete required in KSA: 190Mm3
Source: Global Cement
on a rollDemand is recovering after a difficult few years.
UNIBETON AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING GREEN
Unibeton is one ready-mix supplier that
has heavily invested in sustainability.
Its work in developing greener
production methods has won it numerous
plaudits and contracts. Through its
fleet management system ‘uTrack’ or
products such as Green Concrete and
Self-Compacting Concrete, Unibeton
is raising the bar in terms of the
contribution ready-mix contractors can
make to greener buildings.
“Maybe 80% of our concrete is what
you would call green,” says Christopher
Stanley, technical director of Unibeton
Middle East, who supervises much of
the research and development that the
ready-mix supplier undertakes.
Stanley adds that Unibeton is heavily
involved in the development of new
ready-mix concrete technologies,
spurred on by their involvement with
consultants and contractors, who often
provide insights into what the market
wants. For example, he says, a recent
project in Makkah saw it produce a
lightweight concrete of 70mpa for an
architecturally demanding project.
“Strong can be beautiful,” says Stanley.
“We had to develop new technologies
in order to do that. We try to be a one-
stop-shop. Consultants come to us in the
early stages when they’re planning and
we show them the best way of doing it,
formulate the specifications. During the
construction phase we’re there helping
them. This is where we score.”
firm with DM along with conformity
certificate or mark for the factory or the
mixing unit.
“The registered and approved
companies are listed on the DM website.
A manual that includes the instructions
and regulations is also available online,”
says Marzooqi. “The specification of
ready-mix concrete has been adopted in
coordination with the DCL. A circular on
this regard has been sent to all relevant
parties in addition to the publication of
the decision in the DM website.”
“Companies are given time to complete
the formalities for registration until 31
December 2013. The time to get the
conformity certificate or mark has been
extended to 31 December 2014, provided
that the applications were submitted
before 31 August 2013,” he adds.
However, while Menon welcomes
the move towards greater regulation, he
expresses concerns over the effectiveness
of such a strategy.
“I don’t believe it will serve any
purpose, the plants may be all certified
and working at 100% accuracy, but the
people who operate it may not have the
intention to operate it that way. Then the
market suffers,” he warns.
Another area of the ready-mix sector
that is starting to receive considerable
attention is its ability to help its clients
meet the green building regulations
laid out by the government authorities.
With Dubai Municipality set to introduce
its Green Building Code in 2014 and
Abu Dhabi already enforcing its own
green regulations, the pressure is on for
ready-mix suppliers to measure up to
specifications. Menon adds that Emirates
Beton has also been focusing heavily
on developing its own ‘green friendly’
materials, and has done so for a while
because of their projects in Abu Dhabi.
“We’re very much into that, we’re
looking at using cement replacement
materials which reduce carbon emissions
into the atmosphere, we’re also looking at
recycling materials that we already have,
waste materials,” he explains. “In Dubai,
technology is as advanced as any other
place in the world. You take the US, the
UK or name any place in the world, you’ll
find that Dubai will be on par, or better.”
So what lies ahead for the ready-mix
market? Menon remains quite optimistic
about where the UAE market is headed.
“I have spent more than half of my life
in Dubai, and it’s all been construction
related and in the ready-mix industry. We
have seen the market from the early 1980s.
We’re used to having three or four years of
good business, followed by a few years of
bad business, and then you had the same
cycle again. Each cycle, when it happens,
the boom has always been bigger and
better than the previous one. You can
draw a line like that across the curve. You
can draw a 45 degree angle almost, so you
can say that there has been consistency in
the market, even though the cycle of lows
and highs are there.”
“Dubai has always a very warm
environment, it has always been a
welcoming place for everyone. Since the
end of 2008, the recession set in and now
we have gone through that five-year cycle
and I believe it (the market) will come
back now. I don’t believe it’ll be as hectic
or as ballistic as what we had previously,
(but it’ll be back).” n
“THE SPECIFICATION OF READY-MIX CONCRETE HAS BEEN ADOPTED IN COORDINATION WITH THE DCL. A CIRCULAR ON THIS REGARD HAS BEEN SENT TO ALL RELEVANT PARTIES”
CONCRETE MARKET
7CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
4-7 CONCRETE.indd 7 10/7/13 5:38 PM
Long before it flickered with the bright
building-tops of Sheikh Zayed Road,
Dubai’s skyline was an ornate and
visibly horizontal one. Much before the
discovery of oil altered the city’s economic,
social and cultural maps forever, Dubai’s
houses were humble establishments,
stuccoed, clay-roofed and free of electric
air-conditioning or thermal insulation.
It can be argued that the iconic and
large-scale projects such as the Palm
Jumeirah, popular during Dubai’s
economic boom, have gradually led to
aspects of its environment to decline.
Fortunately this was recognised by a
city government willing to overhaul the
emirate’s industrial practices. Soon solar-
powered water heaters and parking ticket
machines became the need of the hour;
and water desalination and waste disposal
plants increased in numbers. Abu Dhabi
followed suit, learning from the mistakes of
the past.
Sustainability went from being a
chapter in a school textbook to an urgent
perogative – a fact furthered by a WWF
Living Planet 2008 report, based on data
from 2005, that found UAE’s consumption
“Costs and additional time are required Compared to the Cheap and quiCk developments whiCh ultimately don’t meet the requirements of abu dhabi”
With ‘sustainability’ becoming a keyword, Big Project ME explores with experts how the industry will take to the burgeoning need for efficient construction.
The RighT STuff
n 4 billion Number of people living in cities globally.
n 30% Number of buildings in Dubai that could be given a green retro-fit.
makinG an impaCtEnvironmental concerns are now the focus of large-scale construction.
CONCRETE CODES bigprojectMe.com
8 ConCrete supplementMID
DLE
EA
ST
Long before it flickered with the bright
building-tops of Sheikh Zayed Road,
Dubai’s skyline was an ornate and
visibly horizontal one. Much before the
discovery of oil altered the city’s economic,
social and cultural maps forever, Dubai’s
houses were humble establishments,
stuccoed, clay-roofed and free of electric
air-conditioning or thermal insulation.
It can be argued that the iconic and
large-scale projects such as the Palm
Jumeirah, popular during Dubai’s
economic boom, have gradually led to
aspects of its environment to decline.
Fortunately this was recognised by a
city government willing to overhaul the
emirate’s industrial practices. Soon solar-
powered water heaters and parking ticket
machines became the need of the hour;
and water desalination and waste disposal
plants increased in numbers. Abu Dhabi
followed suit, learning from the mistakes of
the past.
Sustainability went from being a
chapter in a school textbook to an urgent
perogative – a fact furthered by a WWF
Living Planet 2008 report, based on data
from 2005, that found UAE’s consumption
“Costs and additional time are required Compared to the Cheap and quiCk developments whiCh ultimately don’t meet the requirements of abu dhabi”
With ‘sustainability’ becoming a keyword, Big Project ME explores with experts how the industry will take to the burgeoning need for efficient construction.
The RighT STuff
n 4 billion Number of people living in cities globally.
n 30% Number of buildings in Dubai that could be given a green retro-fit.
makinG an impaCtEnvironmental concerns are now the focus of large-scale construction.
CONCRETE CODES bigprojectMe.com
8 ConCrete supplementMID
DLE
EA
ST 9CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
CONCRETE CODES
of natural resources was the highest
globally. The construction sector continues
to play a huge role in this respect given its
thirst for energy, with the UAE following
global trends towards urbanisation.
Often a loosely-used term, a variety of
sectors have targeted “sustainability” as
per their need and capacity to provide for
it. Every aspect of the concept – economic,
social, developmental – can now be found
incorporating itself when sustainability
applies to construction.
“Sustainability is a very broad term
which encompasses a range of topics and
disciplines,” says Scott Coombes, Director
at AESG. “A product may be sustainable
because it is more efficient or effective than
it’s alternatives, it may help reduce energy
or water consumption, it could come from
from a rapidly renewable resource or it
may even improve a users well being.”
The urgency of the situation is clearly
catching the attention of the private
sector and a number of these issues
were discussed when Siemens recently
organised a roundtable conference in Abu
Dhabi. Attended by representatives of
governments and industry leaders from
across the GCC, the conference sought
to discuss the scope of sustainability
and energy conservation in the region.
Concerns such as subsidised energy prices,
scarcity of water resources and the lack
of renewable resources was centric to
the discussion, and the role of effective,
efficient technology was highlighted
as the need of the hour. It is therefore
unsurprising that sustainable architecture
and building materials are becoming
a decisive part of project design and
development. Industry experts and leaders
are working on techniques to utilise them
to their fullest.
“Assessing the total embodied energy
in a construction material is one of the
best ways to identify how environmentally
friendly and sustainable it is,” notes
Coombes. “The embodied energy in a
material is a method to account for the
total sum of energy (or its by products)
involved in the life cycle of the material,
including extraction of the raw materials,
manufacturing processes, transportation,
installation, and so on.
“One example would be the use of
materials with lower embodied green
house gasses, such as low embodied CO2
per kg, which would be better at mitigating
global warming”, he added.
Embodied energy includes the
transportation required in the stages of
construction, and, “the use of materials
harvested and manufactured in the same
region as the construction site helps reduce
the carbon footprint required for the
same”, said Coombes. “The use of recycled,
reused and rapidly-renewable construction
materials is another example of good
environmental and sustainable practice,
rather than using new, resource-intensive
materials.”
Sustainability is yet to have a dedicated
organisation gauging and setting standards
for construction products and materials.
This process in the UAE falls under
the auspices of the Emirates Authority
for Standardisation and Metrology
(ESMA), whose departments overlook
various aspects of construction, such as
engineering and mechanical products,
electrical and electro products and so
on. Building codes, however, constantly
“ThERE iS NO bETTER vENUE TO ShOwCaSE UaE’S SUSTaiNabLE SOLUTiONS ThaN aT ThE wORLd ExPO 2020”
Top EnvironmEnTal concErns for ThE Gcc counTriEs:
n Subsidised energy
n Scarcity of water
n Lack of renewable resources
n Total energy consumption
n Management of urban growth
n Lifecycle of buildings and materials
n Embodied enerby in materials used
hEavy PROdUCTiONThe construction industry is a massive user of the region’s energy and mate-rials resources.
10 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
CONCRETE CODES bigprojectMe.COm
undergo updates and many universal
building codes are now growing to include
sustainability and ‘green’ standards for
construction projects.
“There are many regionally specific
codes and directives which have been set
for sustainability measures, such as those
related to standards in material emissions,
toxicity, or performance”, says Coombes.
UAE has taken pivotal initiatives with
its building codes; the capital Abu Dhabi
has established the Estidama system and
economic hub Dubai will soon make
its Green Building Code mandatory for
the private sector, both of which include
watertight government regulations and
have gained voluntary participation from
the private sector.
“The aim with Estidama was both to
push and pull. Firstly, it was to push for an
improved mandatory building standard
by making all projects achieve the rating of
Estidama 1 Pearl,” explains Francis Porter,
Senior Environmental Consultant at WSP
Middle East. “The pull was that within
the same framework, aspiring developers
could showcase their best practice
and achieve recognition by achieving
the voluntary 2 to 5 Pearls. Estidama is
attached to Abu Dhabi’s 2030 Plan and it
provides the mandate and zoning guidance
for construction in the city.”
Dubai has been working on its Green
Building Code for almost five years now;
mandatory for government buildings since
2011, the Dubai Municipality will in 2014
make its application mandatory for all
private sector construction projects in the
emirate too. Consisting of 79 regulations,
the code is largely a checklist of regulations
and techniques that will need to be
incorporated into all buildings constructed
thereon. Whilst, unlike Estidama, it does
not abide by a rating system of any sort.
Dubai’s Green Building Code will be
implemented with the cooperation of
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
(DEWA), ensuring project completion and
handover is held back if the requirements
of the code aren’t met.
Undoubted as the benefits of
sustainability may be, prevalent questions
across global construction markets pertain
to the costs and economy of sustainable
construction. There have been concerns in
terms of the unwillingness of developers
and contractors to implement a system
that rakes in long-term advantages vis-
a-vis their probable need for short-term,
immediate profits.
“Costs and additional time are required
compared to the cheap and quick
developments which ultimately don’t meet
the requirements of Abu Dhabi, but these
impacts are reducing as more is known
about the system.
“Implementing Estidama provides
an excellent opportunity to showcase
the services previously only offered as
voluntary and with only an extended
financial payback due to low water and
energy costs. By earning credits they
have an immediate, up-front value to the
development,” says Porter.
“IMPLEMENTINg ESTIdaMa PROvIdES aN ExCELLENT OPPORTUNITy TO ShOwCaSE ThE SERvICES PREvIOUSLy ONLy OffEREd aS vOLUNTaRy”
a fOUNdaTIONThe industry must face up to the costs and economy of green construction.
10 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
CONCRETE CODES bigprojectMe.COm
undergo updates and many universal
building codes are now growing to include
sustainability and ‘green’ standards for
construction projects.
“There are many regionally specific
codes and directives which have been set
for sustainability measures, such as those
related to standards in material emissions,
toxicity, or performance”, says Coombes.
UAE has taken pivotal initiatives with
its building codes; the capital Abu Dhabi
has established the Estidama system and
economic hub Dubai will soon make
its Green Building Code mandatory for
the private sector, both of which include
watertight government regulations and
have gained voluntary participation from
the private sector.
“The aim with Estidama was both to
push and pull. Firstly, it was to push for an
improved mandatory building standard
by making all projects achieve the rating of
Estidama 1 Pearl,” explains Francis Porter,
Senior Environmental Consultant at WSP
Middle East. “The pull was that within
the same framework, aspiring developers
could showcase their best practice
and achieve recognition by achieving
the voluntary 2 to 5 Pearls. Estidama is
attached to Abu Dhabi’s 2030 Plan and it
provides the mandate and zoning guidance
for construction in the city.”
Dubai has been working on its Green
Building Code for almost five years now;
mandatory for government buildings since
2011, the Dubai Municipality will in 2014
make its application mandatory for all
private sector construction projects in the
emirate too. Consisting of 79 regulations,
the code is largely a checklist of regulations
and techniques that will need to be
incorporated into all buildings constructed
thereon. Whilst, unlike Estidama, it does
not abide by a rating system of any sort.
Dubai’s Green Building Code will be
implemented with the cooperation of
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
(DEWA), ensuring project completion and
handover is held back if the requirements
of the code aren’t met.
Undoubted as the benefits of
sustainability may be, prevalent questions
across global construction markets pertain
to the costs and economy of sustainable
construction. There have been concerns in
terms of the unwillingness of developers
and contractors to implement a system
that rakes in long-term advantages vis-
a-vis their probable need for short-term,
immediate profits.
“Costs and additional time are required
compared to the cheap and quick
developments which ultimately don’t meet
the requirements of Abu Dhabi, but these
impacts are reducing as more is known
about the system.
“Implementing Estidama provides
an excellent opportunity to showcase
the services previously only offered as
voluntary and with only an extended
financial payback due to low water and
energy costs. By earning credits they
have an immediate, up-front value to the
development,” says Porter.
“IMPLEMENTINg ESTIdaMa PROvIdES aN ExCELLENT OPPORTUNITy TO ShOwCaSE ThE SERvICES PREvIOUSLy ONLy OffEREd aS vOLUNTaRy”
a fOUNdaTIONThe industry must face up to the costs and economy of green construction.
11CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
CONCRETE CODES
Also notable is the apparent dearth of
suppliers that can cater to the techniques
and demands of sustainable construction.
The general consensus across authorities
is that the apparent lack of suppliers
with products required for sustainable
production is manageable through
enforcement of green regulations, with
the expectation of creating a market need
– thus facilitating competitive supply – of
these materials.
All sectors of the construction industry
government officials, private developers,
contractors, architects, engineers - agree
that green construction is the way of
the future due to the rising necessity
to preserve the environment; more so
because of its visible benefits already.
“Estidama’s principles have greatly
helped the construction industry. As I
can recollect from firsthand experience, I
was involved with the construction of an
Emirati villa in Abu Dhabi in 2011, and its
windows were sliding-style, but not fitted
to suit building leakage standards”, says
William Whistler, managing director of
Green Building Solutions International.
“The developer went back to the
drawing board with those designs and
reworked them to be safer and more secure
in terms of a residential structure. Recently,
I conducted an air leakage test on a villa
with similar specifications from the same
developer and I was pleasantly surprised to
see better standards and safer techniques
employed in its construction, especially
with the windows! So indeed, Estidama has
raised the quality of construction.”
Sustainability has become a catchword
for every company operating in the
industry, and it is quite apparent that no
institution involved with construction can
– or wants to – ignore the phenomenon.
Coombes says that, in a region that
currently has one of the highest carbon
footprint densities in the world, these two
programmes have been fundamental in
driving the awareness and implementation
of sustainability practices into construction
projects.
“As both programmes are regionally
specific, they respond to the UAE’s specific
climate which helps focus attention on the
issues which matter most,” says Coombes.
“It is great to see that due to Estidama and
Dubai’s Green Building Code, construction
teams such as contractors, architects, and
engineers that previously did not have a
strong focus on sustainable design, are
now using their knowledge and expertise
to provide innovative solutions to address
sustainability concerns in the region.”
The UAE’s ranking on the list of
developed countries could be far
better given the promising, ambitious
leaders investing in its growth, and an
environmental soundness will only
contribute to attracting foreign investors
into the markets here.
Should Dubai win the right to host the
Expo 2022, sustainable construction will
assume more importance than ever.
“The World Expo 2020 is a chance for
UAE to display its commitment to the
environment and sustainability,” urges
Coombes. “With currently one of the
highest carbon footprint densities in the
world, the UAE has an opportunity to
demonstrate how we are addressing this
issue in the years leading up to the event,
and there is no better venue to showcase
these innovative solutions than at the
World Expo 2020.” n
“The UAe hAs An opporTUniTy To demonsTrATe how we Are Addressing This issUe leAding Up To The evenT”
williAm whisTler
12 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
post tensioning bigprojectMe.com
Big Project ME talks to some of the leading post-tensioning contractors in the region and finds out about the latest developments in the industry
Post-tensioning as a technology has
been around for more than half a
century in Europe, Australia and the
United States, but it was only in the
mid-90’s that the technology first made its
appearance in the UAE.
As companies from the aforementioned
countries made in-roads into the Emirates,
local firms began to understand the
benefits of the technology and proceeded
to further popularise the technology.
Starting with bridges and buildings,
post-tensioning has quickly become the
accepted way forward for the industry,
edging out rival pre-stressed concrete
methods, such as pre-tensioning.
Furthermore, the UAE and regional
construction have moved towards
adopting bonded post-tensioning, a variant
of the technology that sees compression
being applied after the concrete is poured.
According to the Post-tensioning
Institute of Phoenix, Arizona, the
technology offers many advantages,
including allowing longer, clear spans,
thinner slabs, fewer beams and more
slender, dramatic elements. In turn, this
means that less concrete is used and there
taking the
stress
12 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
post tensioning bigprojectMe.com
Big Project ME talks to some of the leading post-tensioning contractors in the region and finds out about the latest developments in the industry
Post-tensioning as a technology has
been around for more than half a
century in Europe, Australia and the
United States, but it was only in the
mid-90’s that the technology first made its
appearance in the UAE.
As companies from the aforementioned
countries made in-roads into the Emirates,
local firms began to understand the
benefits of the technology and proceeded
to further popularise the technology.
Starting with bridges and buildings,
post-tensioning has quickly become the
accepted way forward for the industry,
edging out rival pre-stressed concrete
methods, such as pre-tensioning.
Furthermore, the UAE and regional
construction have moved towards
adopting bonded post-tensioning, a variant
of the technology that sees compression
being applied after the concrete is poured.
According to the Post-tensioning
Institute of Phoenix, Arizona, the
technology offers many advantages,
including allowing longer, clear spans,
thinner slabs, fewer beams and more
slender, dramatic elements. In turn, this
means that less concrete is used and there
taking the
stress
13CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
post tensioning
“POST-TENSiONiNg CaN aLLOw a SigNifiCaNT REdUCTiON iN bUiLdiNg wEighT vERSUS a CONvENTiONaL CONCRETE bUiLdiNg”
is a lower overall building height for the
same floor-to-floor height.
“Post-tensioning can thus allow a
significant reduction in building weight
versus a conventional concrete building
with the same number of floors. This
reduces the foundation load and can be
a major advantage in seismic areas. A
lower building height can also translate
into considerable savings in mechanical
systems and facade costs,” a report by the
Institute says.
“Another advantage of post-tensioning
is that beams and slabs can be continuous,
i.e.: a single beam can run continuously
from one end of the building to the other.
Structurally, this is much more efficient
than having a beam that just goes from one
column to the next,” the report adds.
Stephen Burke, deputy general
manager of VSL, an international ‘special
construction methods’ specialist, adds
that post-tensioning is one of the most
environmentally friendly methods of
pre-stressing concrete, and that it offers
significant advantages to contractors.
“It’s environmentally friendly because
you’re reducing concrete quantities and
reinforcing steel quantities,” he tells Big Project ME, adding that the durability of
the concrete also increases significantly.
Furthermore, Engineer Mohammed
Hisham Al Toubah, managing partner
of Fastech Prestressing, a Sharjah-based
firm that operates throughout the UAE,
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Syria, adds that
bonded post-tensioning has proved to be
the safest method of pre-stressing concrete
in the UAE. “The unbonded system is not
commonly used here because the tendons
in unbonded systems use only one strand,
with each strand is covered by a plastic
protective sheet. There is no bond between
the concrete and the strand, there’s no
grout or material to catch the strand and
keep it in its place,” he explains.
Although the unbonded system is
used in Europe and Australia, Al Toubah
expresses reservations about them,
pointing out that these systems have
been developed or established without
structural studies based on the conditions
and environments found in the region.
“We have to do grouting as per
procedures; we have to use additives
and chemicals. But there is no structural
research that has been done on this
matter,” he says.
With an increased cycle of construction,
this poses a risk when it comes to
maintaining the quality of workmanship,
Al Toubah adds, stressing that local
knowledge of the technology is essential:
“For sure, the staff shall have to be trained.
If there’s no know-how, how will you train
people, workers or helpers to go on site
and work there? There has to be quality in
the materials and there has to be quality in
the performance of the people.”
As a result of this commitment, Burke
adds that the industry has been looking up
recently, with projects coming back on line
following the global credit crunch.
With the industry dependent on how
many projects are under construction in
the market, the signs are looking good for
the post-tensioning sector.
“I see a lot of growth coming from
infrastructure. I see in the region, a lot of
growth coming from rail projects that are in
the pipeline, you’ve got metro schemes, so
over the next five years I see a big push on
infrastructure in the region, generally,” the
man from VSL explains.
“KSA is a big market, Qatar because of
the World Cup, Oman is developing its
infrastructure and the UAE, they’ve got
a lot of their infrastructure in place, but
they’re still on the road to upgrading and
finishing it.” n
16 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
SPECIAL FEATURE FORMWORK bigprojectMe.cOM
High rise construction is the new
normal in the Middle East as
developers try to get the most out
of the land that they own. With
space now at a premium, developers
are looking to build vertical, resulting in
buildings that rise hundreds of metres
into the sky.
This means that formwork has a crucial
part to play in the construction of these
buildings, and as such, the technology
associated with it has needed to catch
up quickly. Having an efficient formwork
system can make a crucial difference in
the success of a construction project, in
terms of speed, quality, cost and the safety
of the site.
Formwork comes in several forms, but
“WE viEW ThE WhOLE REgiON aS vERy bUOyaNT aT ThE MOMENT bUT ExPECT ThERE TO bE MUCh MORE CONSTRUCTiON gROWTh iN ThE COMiNg yEaRS”
With high-rise construction the norm in construction, Big Project ME examines how formwork technology is changing and adapting to meet market requirements
high fORMFormwork complexity has increased as high-rise construction grows.
TRue TO FORM
16 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
SPECIAL FEATURE FORMWORK bigprojectMe.cOM
High rise construction is the new
normal in the Middle East as
developers try to get the most out
of the land that they own. With
space now at a premium, developers
are looking to build vertical, resulting in
buildings that rise hundreds of metres
into the sky.
This means that formwork has a crucial
part to play in the construction of these
buildings, and as such, the technology
associated with it has needed to catch
up quickly. Having an efficient formwork
system can make a crucial difference in
the success of a construction project, in
terms of speed, quality, cost and the safety
of the site.
Formwork comes in several forms, but
“WE viEW ThE WhOLE REgiON aS vERy bUOyaNT aT ThE MOMENT bUT ExPECT ThERE TO bE MUCh MORE CONSTRUCTiON gROWTh iN ThE COMiNg yEaRS”
With high-rise construction the norm in construction, Big Project ME examines how formwork technology is changing and adapting to meet market requirements
high fORMFormwork complexity has increased as high-rise construction grows.
TRue TO FORM
17CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
SPECIAL FEATURE FORMWORK
SafETy fiRSTNew formwork systems allow for safer working environments.
when it comes to high rise construction,
the need for specialised systems increases
due to the complexity of the projects
being worked on. As such, manufacturers
have been developing new systems to
meet market demand. One such system is
being launched by Doka, the international
formwork supplier, as part of its exhibition
at Bauma 2013. It’s newly developed
gapless framed enclosure system, Xclimb
60, allows for construction crews to work
at the top levels of a high-rise structure
while being protected from dangerous
weather and wind conditions.
“The self-climbing system is simple to
adapt to varying layouts and inclinations,
enabling it to be used even on complex
high-rise projects,” says chairman
Josef Kurzmann. “Depending on the
requirements, users can choose between
two different designs, with frames that
have either polycarbonate or mesh inlays.”
The system allows for work to be safely
conducted at any height, he adds, while
also providing good natural daylight
inside the enclosed work decks through
translucent plastic inlays.
Simon Roachford, senior sales engineer
at C-Vision Construction Materials
Trading, adds that formwork technology
is now shifting focus towards being
stronger, yet more lightweight. This ties in
with an industry led desire to increase the
use of environmentally friendly material
on construction sites, says his colleague,
Waeil Al Chamma.
One of the main drivers of innovation
in scaffolding and formwork systems
is the need to improve the efficiency of
erecting and dismantling operations,
especially in wage-intensive markets.
With the development of Evermax,
a plastic-composite formwork panel,
manufacturer Ulma is aiming at greater
durability and higher efficiency. The
new formwork panel has a lightweight
thermoplastic core.
Two reinforcing layers ensure
mechanical properties similar to those of
plywood. The surface layers, on both sides,
deliver a clean finish and easy concrete
separation. They are resistant to abrasion
and can easily be repaired if damaged.
In contrast to plywood panels, Evermax
panels take up no moisture, they do not
bend and they do not rot, thereby ensuring
a longer lasting service life on projects.
This also ties into the increasing the
sustainability and environmental benefits
of the process Roachford says.
“Customers are more aware of green
issues and sustainability of formwork
“(WE’RE) USiNg MORE ENviRONMENTaLLy fRiENdLy MaTERiaL TO CUT dOWN ThE CONSUMPTiON Of NaTURaL MaTERiaLS aS WELL aS iMPROviNg ThE qUaLiTy Of CONCRETE”
18 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
SPECIAL FEATURE formwork bigprojectMe.com
products,” he says, adding that “faster
construction schedules and better costing
as opposed to traditional formwork
methods,” are some of the additional
benefits of continued innovation in
formwork. “There’s more safety (now)
and it’s a lot less labour intensive,” Al
Chamma chimes in.
“(We’re) using more environmentally
friendly material to cut down the
consumption of natural materials as well
as improving the quality of concrete to
decrease the cycle of pouring,” he adds.
One of the major challenges formwork
manufacturers face is convincing
their client base to adopt and try out
new technologies. In a market that’s
traditionally been risk averse, there
is often resistance to change, despite
the obvious benefits on offer. As such,
manufacturers are working closely with
their clients to help develop formwork
systems that fulfil specific requirements.
“Our value proposition is that when
we develop the formwork concept, we
incorporate aspects and experience that
give our customers new insights and
create genuine added value for them”,
says Josef Kurzmann. “As a supplier we
work alongside our customers in all
stages of a construction project, from the
development stage through until close-
out. To do this, we offer a wide range of
services to ensure that the very best use is
made of the formwork systems.”
Roachford adds that he spends a lot
of time “trying to make customers more
aware of better engineered, efficient
systems, like C-Vision’s Hydraulic Core
System.”
“This is a system that we have evolved
in order to cut down on construction
time and costs and also more
sustainability with products such as
C-Visions Vinci 80 Panel System capable
of 250 – 300 pours before the plywood
needs to be changed.”
However, he asserts that there has been
significant interest in the products, and
predicts that there will be an upswing in
the adoption of the technology over the
coming years.
“We view the whole region as very
buoyant at the moment but expect there
to be much more construction growth in
the coming years in all GCC countries.” n
Big Project ME asks Peter Vogel, director
Middle East, Doka Group, three questions
about the formwork industry
Has tHe industry cHanged tHe way it views forMwork?Nowadays, the building sector expects more
from formwork suppliers than just delivery
of products and systems for a vast range
of projects. Globally, high-quality systems
are a basic requirement, but we still face
the challenge to shift away from traditional
formwork from the smaller segments in
the Middle East. These is an increased
demand for concepts that optimise the entire
construction process, so that goals are
reached quickly, efficiently and safely. Hence
our customers expect their own customised
solutions for each project.
witH construction going vertical, wHat lessons Have you learnt froM past projects?We know that formwork technology is
faced with two challenges: shortening
the construction process and establishing
construction methods aimed at improving the
quality of the structure. The tendering phase
requires planning an ingenious formwork
solution, which requires skill and judgement
derived from years of experience. In building,
climbing operations on an advancing
structure core are often a make or break
factor that decides whether the whole project
stays on-schedule and on-budget. To achieve
a smooth work flow, it is not enough to look
at the formwork solution in isolation, it is
essential to optimally integrate them into the
overall construction strategy.
wHat are your expectations for tHe forMwork industry?Building projects are becoming increasing
complex. At the same time, investors are
particularly interested in a construction
process that is efficient and safe. The
demands placed on formwork technology lie
in the ever increasing speed of construction,
accompanied by increased mechanisation of
the construction site, and therefore, formwork.
As a result, customers expect a product range
supplemented by a comprehensive service
portfolio. During project and construction site
planning, everyone from architect to formwork
supplier will be part of an electronic network.
Our goal is to collaborate with our customers
in thinking ahead and to contribute towards
the future of formwork.
three questions for: Peter Vogel, DoKA
18 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
SPECIAL FEATURE formwork bigprojectMe.com
products,” he says, adding that “faster
construction schedules and better costing
as opposed to traditional formwork
methods,” are some of the additional
benefits of continued innovation in
formwork. “There’s more safety (now)
and it’s a lot less labour intensive,” Al
Chamma chimes in.
“(We’re) using more environmentally
friendly material to cut down the
consumption of natural materials as well
as improving the quality of concrete to
decrease the cycle of pouring,” he adds.
One of the major challenges formwork
manufacturers face is convincing
their client base to adopt and try out
new technologies. In a market that’s
traditionally been risk averse, there
is often resistance to change, despite
the obvious benefits on offer. As such,
manufacturers are working closely with
their clients to help develop formwork
systems that fulfil specific requirements.
“Our value proposition is that when
we develop the formwork concept, we
incorporate aspects and experience that
give our customers new insights and
create genuine added value for them”,
says Josef Kurzmann. “As a supplier we
work alongside our customers in all
stages of a construction project, from the
development stage through until close-
out. To do this, we offer a wide range of
services to ensure that the very best use is
made of the formwork systems.”
Roachford adds that he spends a lot
of time “trying to make customers more
aware of better engineered, efficient
systems, like C-Vision’s Hydraulic Core
System.”
“This is a system that we have evolved
in order to cut down on construction
time and costs and also more
sustainability with products such as
C-Visions Vinci 80 Panel System capable
of 250 – 300 pours before the plywood
needs to be changed.”
However, he asserts that there has been
significant interest in the products, and
predicts that there will be an upswing in
the adoption of the technology over the
coming years.
“We view the whole region as very
buoyant at the moment but expect there
to be much more construction growth in
the coming years in all GCC countries.” n
Big Project ME asks Peter Vogel, director
Middle East, Doka Group, three questions
about the formwork industry
Has tHe industry cHanged tHe way it views forMwork?Nowadays, the building sector expects more
from formwork suppliers than just delivery
of products and systems for a vast range
of projects. Globally, high-quality systems
are a basic requirement, but we still face
the challenge to shift away from traditional
formwork from the smaller segments in
the Middle East. These is an increased
demand for concepts that optimise the entire
construction process, so that goals are
reached quickly, efficiently and safely. Hence
our customers expect their own customised
solutions for each project.
witH construction going vertical, wHat lessons Have you learnt froM past projects?We know that formwork technology is
faced with two challenges: shortening
the construction process and establishing
construction methods aimed at improving the
quality of the structure. The tendering phase
requires planning an ingenious formwork
solution, which requires skill and judgement
derived from years of experience. In building,
climbing operations on an advancing
structure core are often a make or break
factor that decides whether the whole project
stays on-schedule and on-budget. To achieve
a smooth work flow, it is not enough to look
at the formwork solution in isolation, it is
essential to optimally integrate them into the
overall construction strategy.
wHat are your expectations for tHe forMwork industry?Building projects are becoming increasing
complex. At the same time, investors are
particularly interested in a construction
process that is efficient and safe. The
demands placed on formwork technology lie
in the ever increasing speed of construction,
accompanied by increased mechanisation of
the construction site, and therefore, formwork.
As a result, customers expect a product range
supplemented by a comprehensive service
portfolio. During project and construction site
planning, everyone from architect to formwork
supplier will be part of an electronic network.
Our goal is to collaborate with our customers
in thinking ahead and to contribute towards
the future of formwork.
three questions for: Peter Vogel, DoKA
The Formwork Experts.
Panel floor formwork Dokadek 30The beamless hand-set system for fast erection and dismantling
Speed Quicker to put up - quicker to take downSafety Productivity on safe groundSimplicity Easy to explain - easy to use
www.doka-me.com
Scan here for more information on Dokadek 30
Stand 717-1 Hall 1
bigprojectMe.com
21CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
TECHNOLOGY
In the construction machinery industry
there is no sector that has gone through
greater changes in the past few years
than concrete equipment. Major
European manufacturers were acquired
by Chinese manufacturers, beginning
with Cifa in 2008, acquired by Zoomlion,
and then Putzmeister in 2012, acquired by
Sany, and later a tie-up between Schwing-
Stetter and XCMG.
And there has also been consolidation
on the European front, with Liebherr
acquiring the concrete pump manufacturer
Waitzinger, a mid-sized German company
with strong R&D pedigree, allowing
Liebherr to offer the full range.
While there was a strong incentive for
Chinese manufacturers to acquire valuable
R&D as well as distribution networks, on
a higher level the concrete equipment
industry is headed towards competition
between ‘full-liners’, with brands acquiring
new interests, so that they are able to offer
the full range, from batching plants, mixer
trucks, to truck and stationary pumps.
Putzmeister is a good example of this –
acquiring mix truck builder Intermix, and
then announcing at Bauma a strategic
deal with the Italian batching plant
manufacturer Simem. And for buyers,
more choice can only be a good thing.
The concrete truck pump market is
intensely competitive, but new products
on the market have made the choice for
customers even tougher. Putzmeister’s new
range of truck pumps were built in order
to comply with new European road weight
regulations, which in the 56 metre boom
class, saw its model, the M56-5, built over a
4-axle chassis, reduced from five.
One of the biggest contributors to the
finished product is the number of axles
the pump is built over, and savings on
the vehicle build-costs are passed to
the customer without compromising
pump performance. Putzmeister’s new
models are available in the key segments,
including 36m, 42m, and the 56m. Overall
the models have been simplified for their
serviceability. On the 42m pump the
number of types of arches or elbows has
been reduced to only three, from seven,
and the machine has been redesigned
with a preference for bolts over welds.
Furthermore the amount of hydraulic fluid
was reduced by 300 litres from the previous
generation model.
Saudi Arabia is the most important
market for concrete pumps, and market
share is hotly contested by international
manufacturers and their dealers.
Represented by distributor Saudi Diesel,
the Korean manufacturer Everdigm makes
a range of pumps, including its 43CX-5,
contesting the all-important 42m segment.
The 5-section boom has a vertical reach of
42.1m, and horizontal reach of 38.1m, with
a delivery pipe diameter of 125mm. The
model has seen usage on many residential
sites in KSA, and the service offering is key
to Everdigm’s popularity.
Cifa was the first major concrete
equipment manufacturer to be acquired
“The indusTry is headed Towards compeTiTion beTween ‘full-liners’, wiTh brands able To offer The full range”
Concrete ready-mix companies are benefiting from fierce competition amongst manufacturers to improve and expand their product offerings
PumPed-uP
22 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
TECHNOLOGY bigprojectMe.COm
by a Chinese company, Zoomlion in
2008, but the continuation of its product
development programme showed that
the intent was very much to continue Cifa
as a strong standalone brand. Last year it
collaborated with Zoomlion on a Guinness
World Record truck pump with a 101m
boom, something of a novelty. Likely to be
of more interest to customers are its truck
pumps built with carbon fibre booms, the
Carbotech range.
Customers are increasingly price
conscious on concrete mixer trucks,
and well they can be given the available
range of vehicles from diverse suppliers.
Ready mix companies are virtually spoilt
with choice, whether buying chassis
from premium sellers such as Daimler or
MAN, mid-range truck brands, or the new
entrants in the market. And while mixer
trucks have increasingly become seen as
commodity goods in the concrete industry,
in the critical application of a pumping job
reliability remains all-important, which
gives an edge to the established players in
the market of drum manufacturing.
In the Middle East, key features of a
successful transit mixer are large size and
an ample water reservoir, since in many
markets there are no on-road weight
restrictions. Putzmeister debuted its new
Intermix truck the IMI 12.1 at Bauma
this year, which features an optimised
geometry drum built with high quality
steel from Thyssen-Krupp, including
thicker plating in crucial areas, providing
protection against wear and tear in harsh
conditions, and ensuring a longer service
life. The IMI 12.1, the largest in its range,
has a nominal filling of 12m3, a water line
of 13.55m3, and a geometric volume of
20.11m3, and its availability is a ‘concrete’
example of the benefits of industry
consolidation for buyers.
Batching plants are a serious capital
expenditure item, but smaller mobile
plants are increasingly finding favour
with buyers, as demand for concrete
rises incrementally. Cifa has recently
released a new mobile batching plant,
transportable on wheels, fitted with a 1m3
per cycle Cifa mixer, which guarantees
an hourly production rate of 50m3 of
ready-mixed concrete. Another feature
is its mixer washing system that washes
the mixer after each production cycle,
using the water already batched into the
concrete composition recipe. This leads to
considerable water savings on the site.
In Saudi Arabia, KiCE Construction
Equipment produces concrete batching
plants for sale in the domestic market and
the GCC, as well as distributing Snowkey
concrete cooling machines. KiCE produces
two types of stationary batching plants, the
first which has a dry batch capacity of 50 to
140 m3/h, and a wet batch capacity of 50 to
240 m3/h, as well as mobile batching plant.
The company has recently expanded its
factory in the Eastern Province to scale-
up production, and speaking at a recent
event, company CEO, engineer Saleh
bin Abdulrahman Al-Katheir, said that
demand for its mobile batching plants
had quadrupled in the previous years,
reflecting improved product engineering.
KiCE hopes to increase its sales of batching
plants by 15%, mobile batching plants by
25% and washing plants by 25% in 2013. n
“BATCHING PLANTS ARE A SERIOUS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ITEMS”
Dubai reaDy-mixers to register
Dubai Municipality (DM) has announced
that all ready mix concrete suppliers in
operating in the Emirate need to register
with the Municipality, as part of an
administrative decision to monitor ready-mix
concrete companies and on site mixing
units to ensure safety and quality of work in
the construction work sector.
A joint team from Buildings Department
and Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL) has
been formed to take care of the registration,
monitoring and issuing conformity certificate
for the ready-mix concrete companies
and on site mixing units, said Eng. Yusuf
Abdullah Al Marzooqi, Acting Director of
Buildings Department at DM.
Contracting companies and engineering
consulting offices are being urged not
to use the ready-mix concrete in any
construction site unless it was supplied by
a registered firm with Dubai Municipality
along with conformity certificate or mark
for the factory or the mixing unit.
“The registered and approved companies
are listed on the DM website. A manual
that includes the instructions and regulations
is also available online,’ said Marzooqi.
‘A circular on this regard has been sent
to all relevant parties in addition to the
publication on the DM website.”
22 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
TECHNOLOGY bigprojectMe.COm
by a Chinese company, Zoomlion in
2008, but the continuation of its product
development programme showed that
the intent was very much to continue Cifa
as a strong standalone brand. Last year it
collaborated with Zoomlion on a Guinness
World Record truck pump with a 101m
boom, something of a novelty. Likely to be
of more interest to customers are its truck
pumps built with carbon fibre booms, the
Carbotech range.
Customers are increasingly price
conscious on concrete mixer trucks,
and well they can be given the available
range of vehicles from diverse suppliers.
Ready mix companies are virtually spoilt
with choice, whether buying chassis
from premium sellers such as Daimler or
MAN, mid-range truck brands, or the new
entrants in the market. And while mixer
trucks have increasingly become seen as
commodity goods in the concrete industry,
in the critical application of a pumping job
reliability remains all-important, which
gives an edge to the established players in
the market of drum manufacturing.
In the Middle East, key features of a
successful transit mixer are large size and
an ample water reservoir, since in many
markets there are no on-road weight
restrictions. Putzmeister debuted its new
Intermix truck the IMI 12.1 at Bauma
this year, which features an optimised
geometry drum built with high quality
steel from Thyssen-Krupp, including
thicker plating in crucial areas, providing
protection against wear and tear in harsh
conditions, and ensuring a longer service
life. The IMI 12.1, the largest in its range,
has a nominal filling of 12m3, a water line
of 13.55m3, and a geometric volume of
20.11m3, and its availability is a ‘concrete’
example of the benefits of industry
consolidation for buyers.
Batching plants are a serious capital
expenditure item, but smaller mobile
plants are increasingly finding favour
with buyers, as demand for concrete
rises incrementally. Cifa has recently
released a new mobile batching plant,
transportable on wheels, fitted with a 1m3
per cycle Cifa mixer, which guarantees
an hourly production rate of 50m3 of
ready-mixed concrete. Another feature
is its mixer washing system that washes
the mixer after each production cycle,
using the water already batched into the
concrete composition recipe. This leads to
considerable water savings on the site.
In Saudi Arabia, KiCE Construction
Equipment produces concrete batching
plants for sale in the domestic market and
the GCC, as well as distributing Snowkey
concrete cooling machines. KiCE produces
two types of stationary batching plants, the
first which has a dry batch capacity of 50 to
140 m3/h, and a wet batch capacity of 50 to
240 m3/h, as well as mobile batching plant.
The company has recently expanded its
factory in the Eastern Province to scale-
up production, and speaking at a recent
event, company CEO, engineer Saleh
bin Abdulrahman Al-Katheir, said that
demand for its mobile batching plants
had quadrupled in the previous years,
reflecting improved product engineering.
KiCE hopes to increase its sales of batching
plants by 15%, mobile batching plants by
25% and washing plants by 25% in 2013. n
“BATCHING PLANTS ARE A SERIOUS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ITEMS”
Dubai reaDy-mixers to register
Dubai Municipality (DM) has announced
that all ready mix concrete suppliers in
operating in the Emirate need to register
with the Municipality, as part of an
administrative decision to monitor ready-mix
concrete companies and on site mixing
units to ensure safety and quality of work in
the construction work sector.
A joint team from Buildings Department
and Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL) has
been formed to take care of the registration,
monitoring and issuing conformity certificate
for the ready-mix concrete companies
and on site mixing units, said Eng. Yusuf
Abdullah Al Marzooqi, Acting Director of
Buildings Department at DM.
Contracting companies and engineering
consulting offices are being urged not
to use the ready-mix concrete in any
construction site unless it was supplied by
a registered firm with Dubai Municipality
along with conformity certificate or mark
for the factory or the mixing unit.
“The registered and approved companies
are listed on the DM website. A manual
that includes the instructions and regulations
is also available online,’ said Marzooqi.
‘A circular on this regard has been sent
to all relevant parties in addition to the
publication on the DM website.”
“ConCrete itself is a simple thing. But we are always making sophistiCated struCtural Changes to it. it’s not just a question of mixing sand and Cement and throwing it at a wall.”
24 ConCrete supplementMID
DLE
EA
ST
PILING bigprojectMe.com
Big Project ME finds out about the state of piling in the market and how the industry is facing up to super-tall construction.
In an old Beatles song there is a line:
’I heard the news today, oh boy,
four thousand holes in Blackburn
Lancashire. And though the holes were
rather small, they had to count them all.’
It’s a problem that Tony Rocca, of
Gulf Piling LLC would sympathise
with. In ground works, one of the worst
encountered problems is the presence
of cavities. But on the whole, ground
engineering is so sophisticated that you
can almost literally build anywhere. It’s
all about money and how much you are
prepared to invest.
Rocca is at pains to point out that he is
a geotechnical engineer. Piling is part of
his work but his job is to understand the
ground, and predict how it will behave
both in the short and long term. Then he
makes foundations work.
He is clear where the project skill lies:
“Projects are won by the design” The fact
is that ground can vary enormously even
in the space of a few metres and piling
projects are fixed-price and success-
based. Simply put, structural engineers
don’t want to get involved in something
that unpredictable, so they employ men
like Rocca to see it through.
He explains that it is mainly friction
oN a StroNG FouNdatIoN
that makes the world of piling go round.
You try to build friction down the sides of
the piles and also resistance at the bearing
point. So you can support the pile with
friction on the shaft and by the endpoint
socketed in hard strata. It’s a combination
of friction and bearing resistance. The
geology in the UAE mainly consists
of sand overlying a rock formation of
sandstones, conglomerates and siltstone.
Most piles are between ten and twenty
five meters deep. As a rule of thumb you
can’t put piles closer together than three
times the diameter of the pile. Obviously
the larger the load you have, the deeper
the piles are or the more piles you add.
In piling the cost of plant/labour
and the cost of materials are generally
around the same. The cost of foundations
will rarely exceed 15% of the cost of the
building.
Piles themselves are largely built of
what’s available locally. Here in the UAE
its pretty much concrete strengthened
with steel, actually 80-90% of it is bored,
and the concrete is cast in situ.
Rocca explains that it doesn’t really
matter what the materials are as long as
they are well treated and not exposed
to air. Then they won’t rot at any kind of
worrying speed. But wood?
“Sure why not, the Chinese were using
bamboo to hold their houses up two
thousand years ago.”
He explains that piles, even wood ones,
can last a very long time.
“We had an old bridge in Canada, it
was built on wooden piles and it had been
there for eighty years. But after the latest
building code with new seismic criteria,
we carried out ground densification work
using a vibro replacement technique to
densify the soil around the pier to mitigate
liquefaction just in case of earthquakes
and protect the working wood piles.”
The main soil groups are clay and
sand, these are called cohesive and
cohesionless soils. Cohesive soil have
smaller particle diameter. Cohesionless
soil is like a coarse aggregrate, sand would
fit into this group. Clay has a long term
effect. If you put a load on clay it takes a
long time for the water to dissipate and to
settle, so you are studying the long term
settlement (of the clay). If you are not a
purist, you may not know the difference
between foundations and shoring. Piling
drives into the ground to spread the
weight of a building. Shoring is more
concerned with securing the ground
during excavation so that it doesn’t move.
When it comes to concrete, Christopher
Stanley is an expert. He is technical
director of Unibeton.
He talks to Big Project ME about some
of his company’s achievements. They
are currently working with Bauer for the
piling of the Kingdom Tower in KSA.
This will become the tallest tower
in the world at 1.3km. Tall buildings
require deep foundations and the
foundations under the Kingdom Tower
25CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
PILING
PiLiNg iN Ground engineering is so sophisticated you can build anywhere.
“ConCrete itself is a simple thing. But we are always making sophistiCated struCtural Changes to it. it’s not just a question of mixing sand and Cement and throwing it at a wall.”
24 ConCrete supplementMID
DLE
EA
ST
PILING bigprojectMe.com
Big Project ME finds out about the state of piling in the market and how the industry is facing up to super-tall construction.
In an old Beatles song there is a line:
’I heard the news today, oh boy,
four thousand holes in Blackburn
Lancashire. And though the holes were
rather small, they had to count them all.’
It’s a problem that Tony Rocca, of
Gulf Piling LLC would sympathise
with. In ground works, one of the worst
encountered problems is the presence
of cavities. But on the whole, ground
engineering is so sophisticated that you
can almost literally build anywhere. It’s
all about money and how much you are
prepared to invest.
Rocca is at pains to point out that he is
a geotechnical engineer. Piling is part of
his work but his job is to understand the
ground, and predict how it will behave
both in the short and long term. Then he
makes foundations work.
He is clear where the project skill lies:
“Projects are won by the design” The fact
is that ground can vary enormously even
in the space of a few metres and piling
projects are fixed-price and success-
based. Simply put, structural engineers
don’t want to get involved in something
that unpredictable, so they employ men
like Rocca to see it through.
He explains that it is mainly friction
oN a StroNG FouNdatIoN
that makes the world of piling go round.
You try to build friction down the sides of
the piles and also resistance at the bearing
point. So you can support the pile with
friction on the shaft and by the endpoint
socketed in hard strata. It’s a combination
of friction and bearing resistance. The
geology in the UAE mainly consists
of sand overlying a rock formation of
sandstones, conglomerates and siltstone.
Most piles are between ten and twenty
five meters deep. As a rule of thumb you
can’t put piles closer together than three
times the diameter of the pile. Obviously
the larger the load you have, the deeper
the piles are or the more piles you add.
In piling the cost of plant/labour
and the cost of materials are generally
around the same. The cost of foundations
will rarely exceed 15% of the cost of the
building.
Piles themselves are largely built of
what’s available locally. Here in the UAE
its pretty much concrete strengthened
with steel, actually 80-90% of it is bored,
and the concrete is cast in situ.
Rocca explains that it doesn’t really
matter what the materials are as long as
they are well treated and not exposed
to air. Then they won’t rot at any kind of
worrying speed. But wood?
“Sure why not, the Chinese were using
bamboo to hold their houses up two
thousand years ago.”
He explains that piles, even wood ones,
can last a very long time.
“We had an old bridge in Canada, it
was built on wooden piles and it had been
there for eighty years. But after the latest
building code with new seismic criteria,
we carried out ground densification work
using a vibro replacement technique to
densify the soil around the pier to mitigate
liquefaction just in case of earthquakes
and protect the working wood piles.”
The main soil groups are clay and
sand, these are called cohesive and
cohesionless soils. Cohesive soil have
smaller particle diameter. Cohesionless
soil is like a coarse aggregrate, sand would
fit into this group. Clay has a long term
effect. If you put a load on clay it takes a
long time for the water to dissipate and to
settle, so you are studying the long term
settlement (of the clay). If you are not a
purist, you may not know the difference
between foundations and shoring. Piling
drives into the ground to spread the
weight of a building. Shoring is more
concerned with securing the ground
during excavation so that it doesn’t move.
When it comes to concrete, Christopher
Stanley is an expert. He is technical
director of Unibeton.
He talks to Big Project ME about some
of his company’s achievements. They
are currently working with Bauer for the
piling of the Kingdom Tower in KSA.
This will become the tallest tower
in the world at 1.3km. Tall buildings
require deep foundations and the
foundations under the Kingdom Tower
25CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
PILING
PiLiNg iN Ground engineering is so sophisticated you can build anywhere.
26 MID
DLE
EA
ST
bigprojectMe.com
CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTCONCRETE SUPPLEMENT
PILING
are between 150 and 175 metres deep.
Unibeton produces concrete which is more
sustainable and kinder to the environment.
It starts with the production process.
Cement is made from a calcium carbonate,
which comes from limestone. That comes
from seashells. To make cement you heat
limestone to 1400c. It then becomes cinder
which is made into cement.
“Concrete itself is a simple thing. But
we are always making sophisticated
structural changes to it. It’s not just a
question of mixing sand and cement and
throwing it at a wall.”
In the last ten years there have been
major advances in concrete technology.
Even the way that they apply the material
to a project has changed: “We use our
ingredients more efficiently. We replace
some of the cement with pozzolanic
materials, such as volcanic ash. By using
less cement we make our projects more
sustainable,” he explains.
They are also experimenting with ways
to use less water in their cement: “Water
is actually a good thing in that it helps
cement to set. Also if you had no steel in a
pile and you kept it wet the cement would
continue to get stronger.”
“Where there is water in concrete, it
evaporates, leaving small capillaries. If
water has been in concrete it can come
back.” The UAE is actually quite advanced
when it comes to concrete production;
it has made major advances, and is
continuing to do so,” he adds.
Stanley points out that you don’t need
to develop super high buildings in the
region because there is no shortage of
land.
But it’s a case of wanting the world’s
tallest tower, rather than any real need.
He has even heard of plans to develop
a 2.3 kilometre tower: “The sky’s the limit
when it comes to tall towers.” n
IN place Sand is classified as cohesion-less soil.
“We use our INgredIeNts more effIcIeNtly. We replace some of the cemeNt WIth pozzolaNIc materIals, such as volcaNIc ash. By usINg less cemeNt We make our projects more sustaINaBle”
26 MID
DLE
EA
ST
bigprojectMe.com
CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTCONCRETE SUPPLEMENT
PILING
are between 150 and 175 metres deep.
Unibeton produces concrete which is more
sustainable and kinder to the environment.
It starts with the production process.
Cement is made from a calcium carbonate,
which comes from limestone. That comes
from seashells. To make cement you heat
limestone to 1400c. It then becomes cinder
which is made into cement.
“Concrete itself is a simple thing. But
we are always making sophisticated
structural changes to it. It’s not just a
question of mixing sand and cement and
throwing it at a wall.”
In the last ten years there have been
major advances in concrete technology.
Even the way that they apply the material
to a project has changed: “We use our
ingredients more efficiently. We replace
some of the cement with pozzolanic
materials, such as volcanic ash. By using
less cement we make our projects more
sustainable,” he explains.
They are also experimenting with ways
to use less water in their cement: “Water
is actually a good thing in that it helps
cement to set. Also if you had no steel in a
pile and you kept it wet the cement would
continue to get stronger.”
“Where there is water in concrete, it
evaporates, leaving small capillaries. If
water has been in concrete it can come
back.” The UAE is actually quite advanced
when it comes to concrete production;
it has made major advances, and is
continuing to do so,” he adds.
Stanley points out that you don’t need
to develop super high buildings in the
region because there is no shortage of
land.
But it’s a case of wanting the world’s
tallest tower, rather than any real need.
He has even heard of plans to develop
a 2.3 kilometre tower: “The sky’s the limit
when it comes to tall towers.” n
IN place Sand is classified as cohesion-less soil.
“We use our INgredIeNts more effIcIeNtly. We replace some of the cemeNt WIth pozzolaNIc materIals, such as volcaNIc ash. By usINg less cemeNt We make our projects more sustaINaBle”
28 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
bigprojectMe.com TECHINCAL FEATURETECHINCAL FEATURE bigprojectMe.com
The advancement of synthetic macro
fibre technology has moved rapidly
over the last decade and through
various levels of performance
testing has allowed this technology to be
embraced by the ready mixed concrete,
construction and engineering fraternity.
The acceptance of synthetic macro fibres,
which provide significant amounts of
post-cracking toughness or post-cracking
flexural strength to the concrete, in large
projects, on a global scale, demonstrates
and identifies technical and construction
advantages offered to provide added
performance, commercial benefits and
improvements to health and safety for
many prestigious projects.
A number of these projects (detailed
below) have utilised the growing trend
in the use of macro synthetic fibre use
in concrete around the world, and
demonstrates its flexibility in application.
The main components of this particular
polymeric fibre called STRUX 90/40 are
polypropylene and polyethylene. This
synthetic macro fibre’s mechanical and
geometric properties are significantly
different from existing synthetic macro
fibres. The length of STRUX 90/40 is 40
mm with an aspect ratio (length divided
by the equivalent diameter) of 90 and
a specific gravity of 0.92. The fibre has
a rectangular cross-section with an
average width of 1.40 mm and an average
thickness of 0.105 mm. The average
tensile strength of the fibre is 620 N/mm2
(MPa) with a modulus of elasticity (chord
modulus) of 9,500 N/mm2 (9.5 GPa).
The ‘flat’ fibre design was chosen in
part to achieve a large fibre surface area to
fibre volume ratio in order to increase the
mechanical bond between the fibre and
the cement paste. The elastic modulus of
this synthetic macro fibre nearly matches
the elastic modulus of the cement paste,
where the fibre is embedded in, which
allows the fibre to transfer stresses across
a crack immediately after crack initiation
has occurred. Consequently, good crack
control can be achieved. The toughness
performance measured using beams in
3 or 4 point bending tests correlates well
with the performance of fibre-reinforced
concrete slabs supported on ground.
Inaugurated in December 2012 the
state of the art, $390 Million, Khalifa Port
is designed to handle all of Abu Dhabi’s
container traffic and is a key part of the
Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 mega-
project; with the neighbouring Kizad it
is the largest infrastructure project ever
undertaken in Abu Dhabi emirate.
The main concrete slab at the Container
Terminal required a 100 year design life
and to achieve this in the challenging,
high chloride conditions both a high
durability concrete and non-corroding
reinforcement were required. Speed of
construction was equally important.
Based on these needs and the design
requirements Grace’s macro-synthetic
fibre, STRUX 90/40, was specified and
Gerard Attree and Klaus Alexander Rieder of Grace look at the use of synthetic macro fibre technology
mAcRo THINKING
29CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
TECHINCAL FEATURE
used throughout the 215,000m3 of fiber
concrete laid, the largest area of macro-
synthetic fiber reinforced concrete laid
in the region. Successful project delivery
for Grace relied on global co-ordination,
with key specification support in the USA,
project management in the UK and a
dedicated team of site support engineers
who trained contractors and ready mixed
concrete producers at site and oversaw
the critical early pours.
Designed to look like a modern Noah’s
Ark, the new Georgia Aquarium in
downtown Atlanta, USA is one of the
largest aquariums in the world, with
more than 2 million visitors visiting
the Aquarium during its first year. The
imposing facility includes more than
47,000 m2 of conditioned space housing
more than 100,000 animals in 36 million
liters of fresh and saltwater.
The tanks are among the largest in the
world – some as high as 10m tall and
requiring 1.2Mthick walls at the base.
Grace’s STRUX 90/40 was chosen and
used for secondary reinforcement in
slab on-ground concrete throughout the
structure, including concrete walkways,
areas near the tanks and other high traffic
locations. The STRUX fibres are easy to
handle and dispersed evenly throughout
the concrete matrix, and helped to
maintain the project schedule. The
tanks would contain saltwater, hence in
addition to the concrete containing macro
synthetic fibers the mix for the tank walls
also incorporated the addition of a nitrite
based corrosion inhibitor, Grace product
DCI-S. This admixture helps extend the
lifecycle of concrete exposed to a marine
environment and minimises the need for
future repairs due to any corrosion from
the primary structural reinforcement.
When complete the West Metro in the
Finnish capital of Helsinki will be 13.9
kilometres in length, comprising two
parallel tunnels travelling underground
for the entire length of the track. In
addition to the stations, excavation
work will be carried out for 15 vertical
shafts designed for emergency exit,
pressure equalisation, ventilation and
smoke extraction. As the project is a
subsea tunnel major concerns arose
over corrosion issues surrounding the
use of steel within such an aggressive
environment and synthetic macro fibres
offered an ideal solution for the sprayed
concrete linings. As part of the approvals
process it was necessary to undertake
performance tests and ensure compliance
with the required specification for sprayed
concrete linings. Grace STRUX 85/50 was
the preferred fibre of choice.
The contractors noted an improvement
in their spraying capacity with STRUX
versus steel fibers when it came to
covering water drainage areas and pipes
in the tunnel. Traditionally they are
forced to spray a thin cover with non-
reinforced concrete on all drainage areas
to reduce any risk of punctures and are
required to come back the following day
to complete the spraying application with
an additional layer of reinforced concrete.
With the synthetic macro fibres they can
fix and cover drainage pipes in one go
improving the speed of spraying concrete.
The use of synthetic fiber technology
is growing and is in use on a daily basis.
showing that they have a place in the
construction of concrete slabs, tunnelling,
and even precast elements offering major
benefits in design, handling, speed of
construction, health and safety, durability
and performance. n
“This admixTure minimises The need for fuTure repairs due To any corrosion from The primary sTrucTural reinforcemenT”
KHALIFA PORT
REQUIREMENTS
n Project cost:
$390 million
n Total fibre used:
215,000m3
n Terminal lifespan:
100 years
laying iT ouTA number of projects have successfully utilised macro-synthetic fibres.
30 MID
DLE
EA
ST
COMMENT bigprojectMe.com
CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT
During the Middle East’s
construction boom, the traditional
tendency towards informal
commercial arrangements and
negotiations often got the job done.
We’ve seen a lot of changes since those
days and a clearer focus on contractual
terms has emerged. The established
business culture is still respected, but
the construction industry is increasingly
adopting common global practices to
protect the interests of all parties.
Sustainability is now the buzzword
of the industry, with all aspects from
materials to structural design coming
under scrutiny. And as governments
continue to introduce increasingly
stringent legislation targeting the
sustainability; changes to the products
and construction techniques used are
guaranteed. As a major supplier, the
concrete industry is well placed to be
among the success stories as it adapts to
the new expectations, although it will face
challenges.
The expanded enforcement of Dubai
Municipality’s (DM) Green Building
Regulations is the latest move aimed at
pushing the construction sector towards
a long-term sustainable future. Already
mandatory for government buildings,
from 2014 the Green Building Regulations
will also become mandatory for private
sector projects. Every aspect of a building,
from design, planning and execution to
operation, maintenance and demolition
must be considered in order to reduce its
impact over its lifetime.
Such legislation has opened
opportunities across the construction
sector. And with materials being a major
consideration in sustainable building
design, concrete has been thrust into
the limelight, with a particular growth
in the use of precast concrete products.
As one of the primary materials used
in the region’s buildings, any moves
towards sustainability and environmental
awareness from this industry will have
an exponential impact on the overall
construction sector. The effects on the
industry itself have been numerous and
overall they are proving to be beneficial.
Achieving a sustainability rating has
become a major selling point for building
owners aiming to raise their profile, project
a certain image and reduce operational
costs. Ratings systems such as the US
Green Building Council’s LEED and Abu
Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s Estidama
are now referred to as standard on the
majority of new-build projects. Their
popularity in the region has meant that
sectors such as concrete industry are well
prepared for the enforcement of the new
Dubai legislation, which is closely based on
the LEED system.
Over the past few years the major
concrete producers and suppliers have
invested significant resources in the
A chAnging sectorfor A chAnging mArket
MEC 2013 show director Nathan Waugh looks at how the concrete sector is adapting to change
NATHAN WAUGH
“CoNCreTe prodUCers ANd sUppliers HAve iNvesTed siGNifiCANT resoUrCes”
CONCRETE MARKET IN THE GCC
n $49 billion demand for concrete forecast within the GCC over the next two years
n $30.5 billion in KSA needed through 2014 and 2015
n $4 billion UAE demand in 2014-2015 dominated by infrastructure spending
31CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
Comment
research and development of new products
and technologies that will raise the
product’s sustainability.
In terms of materials used for the
manufacture of concrete, the general
product mix has changed: the percentage
of cement has been greatly reduced and
largely replaced by recycled fly ash. As a
byproduct of the steel industry, fly ash is
primarily a waste product; recycling this
resource to produce concrete reduces
the carbon footprint for both steel and
concrete industries, giving even greater
overall environmental benefits. Plus,
the large steel industry in the region
means that fly ash can be sourced locally
to concrete manufacturers, reducing
transport costs and fuel emissions and
helping to meet the Regulations’ demand
to use regionally available materials.
The changes to the concrete make-up
have had other mixed effects. On a positive
note, the product has gained strength.
However, it can also take longer to cure and
this time difference must be accounted for
in the project scheduling. Also, although
the cost of fly ash was initially very low it
has increased substantially in line with
demand from the concrete industry and
this trend is likely to continue.
Other time and cost penalties are being
felt in the precast concrete sector in order
to meet the tougher thermal transmittance
values that the Regulations demand for
air conditioned areas. Arguably the sector
is better placed than many to meet the
lower U-values: the naturally high heat
resistance of concrete makes it a better
choice in many cases than glass or metal
facades, despite developments in façade
technology. The relatively cheaper cost of
concrete, plus new restrictions on glazing
use are likely to impact this decision. The
challenge for design teams is to ensure
that the building aesthetics demanded
in this region are maintained. For the
precast sector, meeting stricter U-values
has meant an update of technology and
casting methods. The casting has changed
for many exterior wall products as a layer
of insulation must be added in order to
lower the overall U-value. This has meant
bigger casts, plus a three-stage process to
complete the sandwich form rather than a
single pour mould. The extra time needed
for this production process must again be
considered during scheduling.
But one final area where concrete
has significant benefits over alternative
materials is in whole-life costing. As a
primary aim of the DM Regulations is
reducing a building’s impact over its life,
the sustainable credentials of concrete
are being increasingly recognised. A
low-maintenance material, in the case of
prefabricated concrete, there is a potential
for recycling and reusing in future projects.
As regulation enforcement fast
approaches, the financial and
environmental advantages of concrete
are making a mounting case for its use
as a primary building material. With
sustainability at the top of the list of
demands, there is a wealth of opportunities
for those in the sector who are in line with
the changing needs in the market. n
$49 billion GCC ConCrete market sees demand for optimisation & sustainable praCtiCes
There is more than $49 billion of demand
for concrete forecast within the GCC over
the next two years. As such, the industry
is keen to stay ahead of the trends with a
prominent drive to ensure that concrete is
more energy and cost efficient, as well as
increase its contribution to the sustainability
of buildings and infrastructure, meeting
demand with innovative, long-term
solutions. The GCC construction sector
as a whole shows no signs of slowing
down over the coming years; demand for
concrete will follow a similar path, with
Qatar and Kuwait also representing big
business for the sector.
With this in mind, and with sustainable
construction continuing to dominate
industry debate, the concrete sector is
working to understand its role in furthering
this innovation and how concrete
technologies can contribute to more
sustainable building practices, whilst at the
same time keeping pace with demand.
This is strongly reflected in the educational
content at this year’s Middle East Concrete
(MEC), as concrete professionals come
together to share challenges and solutions
for the most effective, efficient and
sustainable applications.
The free-to-attend seminar theatre will
host a range of industry professionals,
discussing some of the latest, leading
solutions from across the market, with
companies including Grace Construction
Products, Elematic, Fosroc and FADOX
Group taking part. Seminar topics will
include Enhancing performance and
durability of concrete structures through
the use of construction chemicals; New
applications of lightweight cellular
concrete; and Glassfibre reinforced
concrete (GRC) - a green building
material. In addition, there will be a full
day workshop onsite focusing on Asset
Maintenance.
MEC 2013 runs from 25-28 November,
2013 at DICEC in Dubai, UAE.
30 MID
DLE
EA
ST
COMMENT bigprojectMe.com
CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT
During the Middle East’s
construction boom, the traditional
tendency towards informal
commercial arrangements and
negotiations often got the job done.
We’ve seen a lot of changes since those
days and a clearer focus on contractual
terms has emerged. The established
business culture is still respected, but
the construction industry is increasingly
adopting common global practices to
protect the interests of all parties.
Sustainability is now the buzzword
of the industry, with all aspects from
materials to structural design coming
under scrutiny. And as governments
continue to introduce increasingly
stringent legislation targeting the
sustainability; changes to the products
and construction techniques used are
guaranteed. As a major supplier, the
concrete industry is well placed to be
among the success stories as it adapts to
the new expectations, although it will face
challenges.
The expanded enforcement of Dubai
Municipality’s (DM) Green Building
Regulations is the latest move aimed at
pushing the construction sector towards
a long-term sustainable future. Already
mandatory for government buildings,
from 2014 the Green Building Regulations
will also become mandatory for private
sector projects. Every aspect of a building,
from design, planning and execution to
operation, maintenance and demolition
must be considered in order to reduce its
impact over its lifetime.
Such legislation has opened
opportunities across the construction
sector. And with materials being a major
consideration in sustainable building
design, concrete has been thrust into
the limelight, with a particular growth
in the use of precast concrete products.
As one of the primary materials used
in the region’s buildings, any moves
towards sustainability and environmental
awareness from this industry will have
an exponential impact on the overall
construction sector. The effects on the
industry itself have been numerous and
overall they are proving to be beneficial.
Achieving a sustainability rating has
become a major selling point for building
owners aiming to raise their profile, project
a certain image and reduce operational
costs. Ratings systems such as the US
Green Building Council’s LEED and Abu
Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s Estidama
are now referred to as standard on the
majority of new-build projects. Their
popularity in the region has meant that
sectors such as concrete industry are well
prepared for the enforcement of the new
Dubai legislation, which is closely based on
the LEED system.
Over the past few years the major
concrete producers and suppliers have
invested significant resources in the
A chAnging sectorfor A chAnging mArket
MEC 2013 show director Nathan Waugh looks at how the concrete sector is adapting to change
NATHAN WAUGH
“CoNCreTe prodUCers ANd sUppliers HAve iNvesTed siGNifiCANT resoUrCes”
CONCRETE MARKET IN THE GCC
n $49 billion demand for concrete forecast within the GCC over the next two years
n $30.5 billion in KSA needed through 2014 and 2015
n $4 billion UAE demand in 2014-2015 dominated by infrastructure spending
31CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
Comment
research and development of new products
and technologies that will raise the
product’s sustainability.
In terms of materials used for the
manufacture of concrete, the general
product mix has changed: the percentage
of cement has been greatly reduced and
largely replaced by recycled fly ash. As a
byproduct of the steel industry, fly ash is
primarily a waste product; recycling this
resource to produce concrete reduces
the carbon footprint for both steel and
concrete industries, giving even greater
overall environmental benefits. Plus,
the large steel industry in the region
means that fly ash can be sourced locally
to concrete manufacturers, reducing
transport costs and fuel emissions and
helping to meet the Regulations’ demand
to use regionally available materials.
The changes to the concrete make-up
have had other mixed effects. On a positive
note, the product has gained strength.
However, it can also take longer to cure and
this time difference must be accounted for
in the project scheduling. Also, although
the cost of fly ash was initially very low it
has increased substantially in line with
demand from the concrete industry and
this trend is likely to continue.
Other time and cost penalties are being
felt in the precast concrete sector in order
to meet the tougher thermal transmittance
values that the Regulations demand for
air conditioned areas. Arguably the sector
is better placed than many to meet the
lower U-values: the naturally high heat
resistance of concrete makes it a better
choice in many cases than glass or metal
facades, despite developments in façade
technology. The relatively cheaper cost of
concrete, plus new restrictions on glazing
use are likely to impact this decision. The
challenge for design teams is to ensure
that the building aesthetics demanded
in this region are maintained. For the
precast sector, meeting stricter U-values
has meant an update of technology and
casting methods. The casting has changed
for many exterior wall products as a layer
of insulation must be added in order to
lower the overall U-value. This has meant
bigger casts, plus a three-stage process to
complete the sandwich form rather than a
single pour mould. The extra time needed
for this production process must again be
considered during scheduling.
But one final area where concrete
has significant benefits over alternative
materials is in whole-life costing. As a
primary aim of the DM Regulations is
reducing a building’s impact over its life,
the sustainable credentials of concrete
are being increasingly recognised. A
low-maintenance material, in the case of
prefabricated concrete, there is a potential
for recycling and reusing in future projects.
As regulation enforcement fast
approaches, the financial and
environmental advantages of concrete
are making a mounting case for its use
as a primary building material. With
sustainability at the top of the list of
demands, there is a wealth of opportunities
for those in the sector who are in line with
the changing needs in the market. n
$49 billion GCC ConCrete market sees demand for optimisation & sustainable praCtiCes
There is more than $49 billion of demand
for concrete forecast within the GCC over
the next two years. As such, the industry
is keen to stay ahead of the trends with a
prominent drive to ensure that concrete is
more energy and cost efficient, as well as
increase its contribution to the sustainability
of buildings and infrastructure, meeting
demand with innovative, long-term
solutions. The GCC construction sector
as a whole shows no signs of slowing
down over the coming years; demand for
concrete will follow a similar path, with
Qatar and Kuwait also representing big
business for the sector.
With this in mind, and with sustainable
construction continuing to dominate
industry debate, the concrete sector is
working to understand its role in furthering
this innovation and how concrete
technologies can contribute to more
sustainable building practices, whilst at the
same time keeping pace with demand.
This is strongly reflected in the educational
content at this year’s Middle East Concrete
(MEC), as concrete professionals come
together to share challenges and solutions
for the most effective, efficient and
sustainable applications.
The free-to-attend seminar theatre will
host a range of industry professionals,
discussing some of the latest, leading
solutions from across the market, with
companies including Grace Construction
Products, Elematic, Fosroc and FADOX
Group taking part. Seminar topics will
include Enhancing performance and
durability of concrete structures through
the use of construction chemicals; New
applications of lightweight cellular
concrete; and Glassfibre reinforced
concrete (GRC) - a green building
material. In addition, there will be a full
day workshop onsite focusing on Asset
Maintenance.
MEC 2013 runs from 25-28 November,
2013 at DICEC in Dubai, UAE.
32 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
SPECIAL FEATURE concrete sustainability bigprojectMe.com
While concrete is a sustainable
material in terms of its lifecycle,
reducing the cement content in
concrete with other alternatives
such as fly ash is a good solution. Besides,
the production of Portland cement leads
to the release of significant amount of
carbon and this is a concern that is being
addressed globally and in the GCC.
“Concrete is a sustainable building
material, which ensures durable and
long-lasting structures that will not rust
and burn. It also ensures longevity – an
integral part of reducing cost and use of
resources in a project,” says Dr Huiqing
He, corporate sustainability manager at
Al Fara’a Group and deputy operations
director (SME) at Unibeton. “Besides,
the thermal mass of a concrete building
means reduced requirements for heating
and cooling systems, which in turn means
an energy-efficient building. In addition,
concrete is manufactured using many
post-industrial by-products and it can also
be recycled and reused to save material
resources.”
Concrete is one of the most widely used
construction materials globally due to its
sustainability properties, agreed Rabih
Fakih, managing director of Grey Matters.
“However, the production of Portland
cement leads to the release of significant
amount of carbon emissions. One ton
of Portland cement clinker production
creates approximately one ton of carbon
emissions and other greenhouse gases
(GHGs). Hence, environmental issues
will play a leading role in the sustainable
development of the cement and concrete
industry in this century.”
Still, concrete, as an end product, is
a sustainable material. “It is produced
with very little waste, made from some
of the most plentiful resources on earth
(limestone), and minimises the effects
that produce urban heat islands, among
other benefits,” Fakih said.
“At the process level, the re-use of
post-consumer waste and industrial by-
products in concrete produces a ‘greener’
form of concrete,” he explains. “The use of
coal ash, rice-husk ash, wood ash, natural
pozzolans, GGBFs, silica fume, and other
similar pozzolanic materials can reduce
the use of manufactured Portland cement
clinker and simultaneously produce a
more durable concrete.”
The building material has a high sustainability quotient already,but new technologies can enhance it, writes Sona Nambiar
a concrete plan for sustainability
32 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
SPECIAL FEATURE concrete sustainability bigprojectMe.com
While concrete is a sustainable
material in terms of its lifecycle,
reducing the cement content in
concrete with other alternatives
such as fly ash is a good solution. Besides,
the production of Portland cement leads
to the release of significant amount of
carbon and this is a concern that is being
addressed globally and in the GCC.
“Concrete is a sustainable building
material, which ensures durable and
long-lasting structures that will not rust
and burn. It also ensures longevity – an
integral part of reducing cost and use of
resources in a project,” says Dr Huiqing
He, corporate sustainability manager at
Al Fara’a Group and deputy operations
director (SME) at Unibeton. “Besides,
the thermal mass of a concrete building
means reduced requirements for heating
and cooling systems, which in turn means
an energy-efficient building. In addition,
concrete is manufactured using many
post-industrial by-products and it can also
be recycled and reused to save material
resources.”
Concrete is one of the most widely used
construction materials globally due to its
sustainability properties, agreed Rabih
Fakih, managing director of Grey Matters.
“However, the production of Portland
cement leads to the release of significant
amount of carbon emissions. One ton
of Portland cement clinker production
creates approximately one ton of carbon
emissions and other greenhouse gases
(GHGs). Hence, environmental issues
will play a leading role in the sustainable
development of the cement and concrete
industry in this century.”
Still, concrete, as an end product, is
a sustainable material. “It is produced
with very little waste, made from some
of the most plentiful resources on earth
(limestone), and minimises the effects
that produce urban heat islands, among
other benefits,” Fakih said.
“At the process level, the re-use of
post-consumer waste and industrial by-
products in concrete produces a ‘greener’
form of concrete,” he explains. “The use of
coal ash, rice-husk ash, wood ash, natural
pozzolans, GGBFs, silica fume, and other
similar pozzolanic materials can reduce
the use of manufactured Portland cement
clinker and simultaneously produce a
more durable concrete.”
The building material has a high sustainability quotient already,but new technologies can enhance it, writes Sona Nambiar
a concrete plan for sustainability
33CONCRETE SUPPLEMENT MID
DLE
EA
ST
SPECIAL FEATURE concrete sustainability
“REgiONaLLy, TwO MajOR bOdiES MakiNg a TREMENdOUS iMPaCT iN ThiS aREa aRE ESTidaMa iN ThE UaE aNd gSaS iN QaTaR”
Local and international design and
construction are governed by codes
and certifications such as the NRMCA
Sustainable Concrete Plant Certification
(US), GreenStar, Estidama (UAE), LEED
(US), GSAS (Qatar), Breeam Gulf, ASTM
published technical standards and ASTM
sustainability committee (E60), and
ACI 318 building code requirement for
structural concrete.
Green concrete can contribute to
earning points for the certification of the
structure. “Regionally, two major bodies
making a tremendous impact in this area
are Estidama in the UAE and GSAS in
Qatar,” Fakih said.
According to Estidama’s Pearl rating
system in Abu Dhabi, concrete is covered
within credits SM-9 (regional materials)
and SM-10 (recycled materials). “In June
2010, all new development applications
for communities are mandated to satisfy
all required credits to achieve a minimum
1 Pearl level of compliance,” Fakih said.
However, Maher Tadros, managing
partner of the US-based firm,
e.construct, and a professor emeritus
at the University of Nebraska, said:
“Currently, initial costs are driving the
implementation of most standards.”
Carbon EmissionsSo, will replacing Portland cement with
fly ash (by-product of electric power
ConstruCtion Codes:
n nrmCa sustainable Concrete Plant Certification US based code
n EsTiDama Locally formed UAE code
n LEED US based code
n Gsas Qatar specific construction code
generation) or other materials solve the
carbon emissions problem in the long
run? Dr He agrees that using fly ash
reduces embedded carbon emission
in the long run and ensures a higher
resistance to chemical attack, which also
extends the life span of the product.
“Slag cement (ground granulated blast-
furnace slag or GGBS) is another common
supplementary cementitious material
(SCM) used in manufacturing concrete,”
said Dr He.
“A by-product of a controlled process
from iron production, it results in a very
uniform composition, increases concrete
durability and enables a higher volume
replacement of Portland cement (by up to
70%).”
Tadros agreed that reducing the
cement content in a concrete mix results
in significant sustainability: “Modern
mixes are using cement replacement
materials such as fly ash and rice ash in
a proportion of above 70%. New varieties
of cement are also in the development
stages. Again, when a structure runs its
lifecycle, the reinforced concrete used in
the building can be recycled as aggregates
and recycled reinforcing bars.
But since reinforced concrete is a
structural material, one has to be careful
about what is put into the concrete mix. It
has to be carefully specified and regulated
to avoid potential long-term durability
problems,” he noted.
Researchers at Missouri University of
Science and Technology said recently
that increasing the amount of fly ash
in concrete up to 70% can also prevent
millions of tons of the waste product
from ending up in landfills. Fakih added
that replacing Portland cement with fly
ash also improves the plastic behaviour
of the concrete.
“Other SCMs have been widely and
intensively used in the GCC for more
COST dRivENExperts say that initial costs are driving the implementation of standards.
than a decade. Recycled aggregates from
demolished buildings and returned
concrete can also be used to replace the
natural aggregates,” he said.
In order to ensure that concrete
production also ensures energy efficiency
and reduction of valuable water resources
in the GCC.
He suggests that companies implement
the NRMCA comprehensive programme
called “Concrete Sustainable Plant
Guidelines”, which addresses a sustainable
operation and practice through life ycle
perspectives.
It covers process control and evaluation
from material purchasing, production and
delivery, product use, to waste reduce,
recycle and reuse.
He added that currently, only Unibeton
Ready Mix has achieved this certification
in the region.
“Following our management
requirement, waste water and waste
concrete are recycled and reused through
in-house developed water treatment plant
and concrete recycling plant to enhance
sustainable development and practice,
and further reduce CO2 emission,
waste disposal and resources usage. All
recycled water is reused to reduce water
consumption,” he said.
Additionally, chemical liquids
(admixtures) are used to reduce the
water demand needed for mixing while
improving the fresh and hardened
properties of the concrete, adds Fakih.
“Also, recycling process water is a
common phenomenon in most GCC
countries, where water is recycled/treated
to be used in the concrete process,” he says.
Tadros noted a new trend emerging in
North America as an alternate to reduce
the usage of concrete – using precast
concrete insulated panels (sometimes
called sandwich panels).
“The insulation layer not only reduces
the volume of concrete used but also
adds considerable insulation value to
the building envelope. Using fiberglass
connectors across the insulation ensures
that the two outside wythes of concrete
work together in composite action,”
Tadros says. “Thus a 75-100-75mm
sandwich wall acts like a solid 250mm
wall while using only 150mm concrete. It
also provides an R rating of 20 (US units).”
In addition to these features, one
could use a concrete mix with very little
cement and a lot of fly ash, and still get the
required capacity,” he said.n
34 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
SPECIAL FEATURE concrete sustainability bigprojectMe.com
A sustAinAble sAudi?
Despite big ticket projects worth $806
billion till 2030 in Saudi Arabia,
according to Zawya Projects, data
on projects that are in the design,
bid or construction stage, awareness
of sustainable construction and
development is still in the nascent stages,
according to sustainability professionals.
While the green building materials
sector has been developing
environmentally friendly products, the
higher costs deter clients who choose
traditional construction materials – thus
dampening the growth of sustainable
construction.
Recent information on the progress of the
new Saudi building code implementation
that would mandate the use of efficient
materials and design practices in the
near future is hard to obtain.
“RECyCLiNg PROCESS waTER iS a COMMON PhENOMENON iN MOST gCC COUNTRiES, whERE waTER iS RECyCLEd/TREaTEd TO bE USEd iN ThE CONCRETE PROCESS”
Article was written by Sona Nambiar, who
is a writer for Zawya.
BPME_15 Lines_Oct13_OL.pdf 1 9/29/13 10:55 AM
than a decade. Recycled aggregates from
demolished buildings and returned
concrete can also be used to replace the
natural aggregates,” he said.
In order to ensure that concrete
production also ensures energy efficiency
and reduction of valuable water resources
in the GCC.
He suggests that companies implement
the NRMCA comprehensive programme
called “Concrete Sustainable Plant
Guidelines”, which addresses a sustainable
operation and practice through life ycle
perspectives.
It covers process control and evaluation
from material purchasing, production and
delivery, product use, to waste reduce,
recycle and reuse.
He added that currently, only Unibeton
Ready Mix has achieved this certification
in the region.
“Following our management
requirement, waste water and waste
concrete are recycled and reused through
in-house developed water treatment plant
and concrete recycling plant to enhance
sustainable development and practice,
and further reduce CO2 emission,
waste disposal and resources usage. All
recycled water is reused to reduce water
consumption,” he said.
Additionally, chemical liquids
(admixtures) are used to reduce the
water demand needed for mixing while
improving the fresh and hardened
properties of the concrete, adds Fakih.
“Also, recycling process water is a
common phenomenon in most GCC
countries, where water is recycled/treated
to be used in the concrete process,” he says.
Tadros noted a new trend emerging in
North America as an alternate to reduce
the usage of concrete – using precast
concrete insulated panels (sometimes
called sandwich panels).
“The insulation layer not only reduces
the volume of concrete used but also
adds considerable insulation value to
the building envelope. Using fiberglass
connectors across the insulation ensures
that the two outside wythes of concrete
work together in composite action,”
Tadros says. “Thus a 75-100-75mm
sandwich wall acts like a solid 250mm
wall while using only 150mm concrete. It
also provides an R rating of 20 (US units).”
In addition to these features, one
could use a concrete mix with very little
cement and a lot of fly ash, and still get the
required capacity,” he said.n
34 CONCRETE SUPPLEMENTMID
DLE
EA
ST
SPECIAL FEATURE concrete sustainability bigprojectMe.com
A sustAinAble sAudi?
Despite big ticket projects worth $806
billion till 2030 in Saudi Arabia,
according to Zawya Projects, data
on projects that are in the design,
bid or construction stage, awareness
of sustainable construction and
development is still in the nascent stages,
according to sustainability professionals.
While the green building materials
sector has been developing
environmentally friendly products, the
higher costs deter clients who choose
traditional construction materials – thus
dampening the growth of sustainable
construction.
Recent information on the progress of the
new Saudi building code implementation
that would mandate the use of efficient
materials and design practices in the
near future is hard to obtain.
“RECyCLiNg PROCESS waTER iS a COMMON PhENOMENON iN MOST gCC COUNTRiES, whERE waTER iS RECyCLEd/TREaTEd TO bE USEd iN ThE CONCRETE PROCESS”
Article was written by Sona Nambiar, who
is a writer for Zawya.
BPME_15 Lines_Oct13_OL.pdf 1 9/29/13 10:55 AM