Issue 76: September 2016
The NMC Construction Group
currently has three large concrete
structures under construction.
These projects based in Kwa-Zulu
Natal, Gauteng and the Western
Cape will jointly utilise over 45 000m³
of concrete.
The NMC Construction Groups’ building
division’s continual organic growth over recent
years has enabled us to accept more projects
that require specific skills sets and expertise.
This year we are building a number of more
complex concrete structures as a consequence
of an increase in our capabilities.” Stephen
Chambers, NMC Construction Group COO
The three level Dube Tradeport basement,
once complete, will comprise of a surface bed,
two underground basement levels and a
podium level all constructed with reinforced
concrete slabs.
formwork for the slabs on top of the surface
beds.” Izak Wessels, Senior Site Manager.
“A total of 243 lateral support piles were
installed with three levels of anchors installed
through these piles. During the piling
installation, the bulk excavations started. This
was done in extent of a depth of 12 – 14 meters
and over 80 000m³ of material was spoiled.
The Cresta Gardens Ster Kinekor Phase two
project has literally taken the team to a deeper
level in construction. The scope of works
comprises of demolishing the existing cinema
entrance and construction of new underground
cinema complex.
To date the team has completed the installation
of 190 foundation piles, with most of the
concrete pile caps being done. Around 60
concrete pad footings still needs to be
completed.
Working with a live mall environment overhead,
the site the team has had to operate with
extreme caution to ensure safety of all
stakeholders. Existing columns and piles have
been excavated and exposed to depths of
between 4 - 6 meters and propped to ensure
stability. To date more than 15 000m³ of
concrete has been used on the project.
The remaining works include completing the
installation of all 168 columns on top of the pile
caps/pad footings as well as the construction of
layer works which will allow for the casting of
the surface bed. This will then be followed by
The KPMG Place structure is fast rising out of
the ground already standing 25 meters tall.
Valued at R228 million, the 25 level multi-level
commercial structure, will soon tower over the
Cape Town Foreshore at an impressive
85 meters above ground. The structure
comprises of a reinforced concrete lift shaft
which runs from the basement level -3 to the
25th floor at a total height of 91.5 meters.
A talking point around this construction is the
spiralling design of the parking ramp - which
many construe as a construction flaw, when in
fact the ‘kinks’ in the slab structure play a key
role in optimising the parking requirement.
Key to the success of this vertical construction is
the sequencing of cycle times for the concrete
lift shaft and floor slabs. The team is currently
achieving a cycle time of 12 days per 4 meter
concrete lift on the lift shaft and a 10 day cycle
time on the floor slabs.