Sika came to the rescue recently when structural strengthening was required at the Mercedes Benz Advanced Driving Centre at Zwartkops Raceway in Centurion, Pretoria. As alterations and upgrades were planned for the building, it was discovered that an existing concrete slab was structurally sub-standard.
To rectify the problem, Delta Built Environment Consultants (Delta BEC) had no hesitation in specifying Sika’s internationally approved high-strength adhesive, Sikadur-30 to bond steel reinforced plates onto the concrete slab.
Sikadur-30 is a thixotropic, structural two-part adhesive based on a combination of epoxy resins and special filler. Designed specifically for bonding external structural reinforcement onto concrete, masonry, steel, cast iron, aluminium or timber, Sikadur-30 provides high creep resistance under permanent load, and hardens without shrinkage. It is easy to mix and apply and requires no primer.
With a strict time schedule in place, the 1200m2 project was awarded to JC van der Linde & Venter Construction who not only bonded the steel plates onto the concrete using Sikadur-30 (45 kits), but also bolted them down from the top and bottom of the slab.
Since necessary structural changes made by the engineers during the project threatened the planned time frame, weekend work ensued, made all the more challenging by the noise of cars and motorbikes racing around the track.
Sikadur-30 provides high initial and ultimate mechanical strength as well as high abrasion and shock resistance. It is supplied in different coloured components for mixing control and is impermeable to liquids and water vapour.
With the many advantages in using Sikadur-30, the project was completed on schedule and successfully met the high standards required by Mercedes SA.
For more information on Sika products and systems, visit www.sika.co.za
