The Civil Engineering Contractor June 2018 | Page 20

TECHNOLOGY
Roads in South Africa have less than half the water insulation, compared to roads in the US and Europe.
Protecting infra from
water ingress
By Eamonn Ryan
South Africa is at the cutting edge of waterproofing technology. However,
financial constraints among clients mean the country is often not benefiting
from its own excellence.
R
oads,
bridges,
railway
lines, airports, and water
reticulation pipes are major
lifelines connecting people and fuelling
commerce. This vital infrastructure,
18 - CEC June 2018
along with dams and reservoir
foundations, needs to be protected from
a silent enemy: water.
“Efficient
maintenance
of
infrastructure is critical. If
infrastructure
is
mismanaged
owing to a lack of maintenance, the
functional lifespan will decline,”
noted the South African Institution
of Civil Engineering’s (Saice’s) third