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| Project News |
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Rocla Saves Time and Costs
at eThekwini Pipeline Extension Project |
| Released date: October 2009 |
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Johannesburg – October 2009. Rocla, a leading
manufacturer in precast concrete infrastructural
products and solutions in Southern Africa, has
delivered specialised jacking pipes for eThekwini
Municipality's Western Aqueduct pipeline extension
project.
The Western Aqueduct is a long term project designed
to secure the Greater Durban area with potable water
for many years to come. The existing pipeline is
currently operating close to the limit of the city's
water supply requirements. The pipeline is being
extended by 80 kilometres to reach eThekwini’s
western boundary at Cato Ridge. The first phase of
the pipeline runs from Umlaas Road Reservoir to the
Nchanga Hotel Phases 2 and 3 will extend the network
from Nchanga Hotel to the Westville Reservoir and
beyond. |
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Rocla's Jacking Pipes used for
Western
Aqueduct Project |
Rocla's precast concrete pipes
for Cato Ridge project |
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Tony Perry, Business Unit Manager at Rocla's New
Germany site says “Given the length of the pipeline,
the project would inevitably cross various existing
major roads and rail lines. No disruption of these
services was allowed for under the contract
therefore pipe jacking of concrete pipe ducts was
specified. Pipejacking is the proven method for
installing service pipes or duct pipes, thereby
eliminating re-routing and disruption of road and
rail traffic”.
Pipejacking involves hand excavating a controlled
void underneath the surface of the road or rail and
uses high pressure hydraulic jacks located in a
jacking pit into which the concrete jacking pipes
are lowered and jacked into position.
Rocla brought a cost and time saving solution by
manufacturing Class 100D jacking pipes (also known
as In-The-Wall Pipes) for the project. Perry adds
“The walls of the jacking pipes are heavily
reinforced to withstand the high jacking pressures.
Rocla's specialised jacking pipes met all the
stringent requirements, contributing to cost and
time savings on the project.”
During the project, two rail crossings underneath
the main Durban/ Johannesburg rail route were jacked
with absolutely no disruption to traffic. All access
pits were gunited as a means of structural support,
and proved to be a cost-effective way of overcoming
some of the geological challenges presented by the
area.
Rocla's New Germany plant manufactured 1678mm
diameter pipes and the 2000 mm pipes were
manufactured at Rocla's main plant in Roodepoort.
All pipes supplied by Rocla are manufactured to SABS
quality standards. Both the New Germany and
Roodepoort factories carry the ISO 9001
certification. WK Construction, who selected Rocla
as suppliers for the Western Aqueduct project,
manufactured a purpose built 10 ton hydraulic gantry
for the 8,5ton 2000mm pipes to save on expensive
craneage costs for the pipejacking.
Peter Sharland, Contracts Manager at WK Construction
adds, “We enjoy an excellent working relationship
with Rocla New Germany's sales and technical staff.
Rocla has established a very good reputation for
making Class 100D jacking pipes to the highest
standards. Their delivery to site is always timeous,
which is a very important factor to any pipejacking
operation."
"The first phase of Rocla's part of the contract is
nearly complete, with only one further road crossing
requiring jacking pipes," concludes Sharland. "If
all the crossings are completed as envisaged in
October 2009, it will mean that the original tender
programme deadline has been beaten by one month.
Approximately 280 metres of pipes will have been
successfully jacked into place over a period of ten
months." |
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More about Rocla
Rocla (Pty) Ltd, part of the Murray & Roberts group,
is a leading manufacturer of precast concrete
products for infrastructure, including pipes,
culverts, manholes, poles and other related and
customised products.
Rocla partners with customers to design and develop
solutions for specific applications. With over 91
years of experience in precast concrete technology,
Rocla provides extensive backup and technical
expertise to its customer base. Rocla has an
extensive network of factories throughout South
Africa, Namibia and Botswana, and is an ISO
9001:2000 certified company.
Through the Rocla Academy, Rocla displays its
ongoing commitment to Continuous Professional
Development in the Construction industry. The Rocla
Academy adds value by providing training to
customers, contractors and engineering consultants.
Being the only company that offers skills and
competency training to external stakeholders, Rocla
partners with its customers to add value and deliver
service of a superior standard.
About WK Construction (SA) Pty Ltd.
WK Construction KwaZulu-Natal is well-established as
a general civil engineering contractor of the
highest calibre with an enviable reputation for
reliability and the implementation of cost-effective
operational methods. The division operates
throughout the entire KwaZulu-Natal region and has
successfully completed numerous diverse projects,
such as the re-gravelling of rural roads and
associated services, the construction of complex
concrete structures. Specialised contracts such as
dredging, high-pressure sewer cleaning, and the
rehabilitation and upgrading of water and sewerage
reticulation systems have also been carried out with
great expertise conforming to the highest standards.
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