Report Back: Concrete Society Seminar - Concrete Durability Unpacked

Report Back:
Concrete Society Seminar - Concrete Durability Unpacked

Structural engineers and specifiers are increasingly required explicitly to consider durability for reinforced concrete structures. Locally and internationally, new durability specifications are making an appearance which require measurable properties of the concrete to be assessed. This seminar provided a platform to bring practitioners up to date on developments in durability specifications and implementation.

Prof Mark Alexander welcomes the guests

This seminar was intended to reach an audience of consulting engineers, contractors and suppliers (including admixtures and readymix concrete). It was a unique opportunity for these delegates to build on their knowledge on how best to specify and produce concrete that will maintain its original form and serviceability when exposed to adverse environments.

Compared to the previous durability seminars attendance was well down, but better than expected in these difficult times in which the industry, as a whole, is finding itself. A total of 152 people attended around the country.

The seminar was chaired by Prof Mark Alexander, President of the Concrete Society and featured well-known and respected experts giving presentations. The proceedings were interactive and practical, with delegates being encouraged to raise questions and issues of concern.
Proceedings ended with an open panel session of Questions & Answers that was in general very lively and informative.

The programme covered the following main topics and speakers:

» Background to concrete durability
| Bryan Perrie, The Concrete Institute

» Main durability issues in SA
| Mark Alexander, President, CSSA and Emeritus Professor, UCT

» The Client’s perspective
| Edwin Kruger, SANRAL

» Designing for durability and strength
| Philip Ronné, Aecom

» Practical ways of achieving durability on site
| George Evans, PPC

» Series of case studies of implementation
| Panel of the above

Bryan Perrie – The Concrete Institute

Edwin Kruger – SANRAL

Philip Ronné – AECOM

George Evans - PPC

As is now customary, event feedback forms were handed out at each venue. The graphs below, summaries delegates’ responses covering all four venues.

Xypex were kind enough to take up the main sponsorship at all four venues. Many thanks to them for their support and for flying in Dr. Pat McGrath from Canada and Mr. Stephen Minney from the UK, whom we hope to see again at future events.

We had the following Display Sponsors:
• Xypex
• Chryso
• Sika
• Creative Engineering
• Samson Technology

With the support from our sponsors and the delegates who attended, the Society was able to make a surplus, which is very important for its sustainability and our thanks to everybody who contributed to making this event a success.

The Xypex team (l to r) Lewis Lynch (SA); William Fielder (SA); Stephen Minney (UK); Dr Pat McGrath (Canada)

Inland Branch delegates

Panel discussion concluded the seminar

A farewell and presentation to Marike van Wyk from The Society’s CEO John Sheath

Question times were very active

Report Back:Concrete Society Seminar - Concrete Durability Unpacked

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Report Back:
Concrete Society Seminar - Concrete Durability Unpacked