In December 2023, the eThekwini
Municipality Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda,
officially reopened the uMhlanga Rocks Whalebone Pier in uMhlanga,
KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa),
after extensive renovation work. The Penetron System of crystalline
concrete waterproofing products was used to optimize the longevity
of the renovated concrete pier.
EAST
SETAUKET, N.Y., April 23,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In December 2023, the eThekwini Municipality Mayor,
Mxolisi Kaunda, officially reopened
the uMhlanga Rocks Whalebone Pier in uMhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal
(South Africa), after extensive
renovation work. The Penetron System of crystalline concrete
waterproofing products was used to optimize the longevity of the
renovated concrete pier.
The Penetron System provides long-term
protection from deterioration of concrete caused by carbonation and
prevents corrosion of the embedded reinforcing steel, even under
constant exposure to seawater.
KwaZulu-Natal, also known as "the garden province," is situated
in southeastern South Africa, with
a long shoreline on the Indian Ocean. uMhlanga is a fast-growing
town about 10 miles (16 km) north of Durban, on the coast, within the eThekwini
Municipality. Well known for the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, the
largest shopping mall in the Southern Hemisphere, uMhlanga is also
home to Pearl Sky, the second-tallest skyscraper in South Africa (183
m/604 feet). The town currently has well over 25,000
inhabitants and continues to grow at a double-digit pace.
The uMhlanga Rocks Whalebone Pier is the final extension of a
large underground storm water culvert that stretches 80 m (265 feet) across the beach towards the
ocean, finally emptying into a deep-water channel. Topped with a
public walkway, the Pier has magnificent views of the eThekwini
coastline and the city of Durban
in the distance. It is a popular tourist destination and remains
one of the most photographed spots in the region.
"The pier features a clever design that hides the stormwater
culvert and creates an attractive highlight along the uMhlanga
coastline," adds Schalk Faber,
Technical Engineering Support at Penetron Africa. "When it was
first completed in 2007, the uMhlanga Rocks Whalebone Pier was
awarded the Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award by
the South African Institute of Civil Engineers."
Over the years of exposure to the marine environment, the
uMhlanga Rocks Whalebone Pier had developed numerous cracks and
voids in the walls of the concrete pier. Engineers at Ethekwini
Structures, the consultant responsible for the renovation work,
asked Penetron Africa for a durable concrete repair solution to
optimize the longevity of the concrete pier structures.
As a result, PENECRETE MORTAR, a crystalline waterproofing
repair grout, was used to repair the cracks and fill the voids in
the concrete pier elements. PENETRON, a topical crystalline
waterproofing material, was applied over the prepared surfaces of
the concrete structure to reduce permeability and increase
protection, completing the waterproofing system.
"The largest challenge faced by the technical team was the
timing of the work schedule because a large part of the work had to
take place during low tide; no work could be done during high tide
and spring tides," explains Schalk
Faber. "While the renovation work started in the first half
of 2023, the project needed to be completed by the start of the
2023 holiday season; keeping to the schedule was a top
priority."
Once applied to the surface of the concrete structure, the
active ingredients in PENETRON penetrate deep into the concrete
matrix to generate a non-soluble crystalline formation throughout
the pores and capillary tracts of the concrete. This crystal
formation permanently seals microcracks, pores and capillaries
against the penetration of water, liquids, or chloride ions from
any direction.
"The Penetron System provides long-term protection from
deterioration of concrete caused by carbonation and prevents
corrosion of the embedded reinforcing steel, even under constant
exposure to seawater," concludes Schalk
Faber. "In addition, the continuous self-healing
capabilities of Penetron crystalline technology ensures that any
future hairline cracks in the concrete will seal
automatically."
The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty
construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs,
and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global
network, offering support to the design and construction community
through its regional offices, representatives, and distribution
channels.
For more information on Penetron waterproofing solutions, please
visit penetron(dot)com or Facebook(dot)com/ThePenetronGroup, email
CRDept(at)penetron(dot)com or contact the Corporate Relations
Department at 631-941-9700.
Media Contact
Corporate Relations, The Penetron Group, 631-941-9700,
crdept@penetron.com, www.penetron.com
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/popular-umhlanga-rocks-whalebone-pier-in-south-africa-gets-a-new-lease-on-life-with-penetron-technology-302121676.html
SOURCE The Penetron Group