2019
Durban

Durbanites are in for a treat with the multi-billion Rand renovation of the Durban Point Waterfront. Dubbed the “Modern Reincarnation of the old Durban”, the developers are using words like “breathtaking, unimaginable, and magnificent” to describe just how the new Durban Point Waterfront will be! It will certainly uplift both business and tourism on the Durban waterfront, and in fact will become a world-renowned tourist destination once completed. Durban Point waterfront development appointed Stefanutti Stocks as the main Contractor to undertake this incredible project. Sika was incredibly privileged when Nako-illiso Engineers specified their range to be used in phase 1 of the Durban Point Waterfront development: the extension and renovation of the Durban Point Promenade.

A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project

Durban Point Waterfront renovations with Sika products

A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project

Durban Point Waterfront renovations with Sika products

A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project
A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project

Durban Point Waterfront renovations with Sika products

A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project

Durban Point Waterfront renovations with Sika products

A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project
A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project

Durban Point Waterfront renovations with Sika products

A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project

Durban Point Waterfront renovations with Sika products

A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project
A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project

Durban Point Waterfront ampitheatre

A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project

Durban Point Waterfront ampitheatre

A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project
A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project
A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project
A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project
A wide range of Sika solutions were used for the renovations at the Durban Point Waterfront project

 

Durban Point Promenade is part of the major development that will extend the existing Durban promenade all the way from the Umgeni River mouth to the harbour entrance at North Pier. The Durban Point Promenade includes the existing effluent trench and two levels the Point Water Clubs below; with the actual Promenade walkway and Amphitheatre above.

The Point Promenade was designed with a suspended ground floor slab, with ground beams supported on CFA piles, pile caps and associated connections. In the very unlikely occurrence of a massive storm surge breaching the high tide mark, the foundations together with a sheet pile wall would ensure the structure remains intact. To mimic the habitat of waves gently caressing the shoreline, the cantilever on the front (sea facing) side of the promenade was designed with lines and curves.

All concrete works was cured using Sika® Antisol® E curing compound. Sika® Separol GU ZA shutter release oil was used to provide an excellent off shutter concrete finish on all support columns.

All expansion joints on walls and facades on the lower club level were primed and sealed using Sika® Primer-3N and Sikaflex® Construction.

For the expansion joints in the lower club and promenade level Sika’s closed cell polyethylene backing cord was used as a void filler, followed by Sika® Primer-3N as a joint primer to the face of the joints followed by Sikaflex® Pro-3 i-cure. Given the importance of the joints and the requirement for a total waterproof seal; The Sika Combiflex® SG bandage system was applied as the primary seal.

On the Promenade level a two-step waterproofing solution was required to ensure water tightness on the upper deck due to the Point Watersport clubs being below. Sikadur®-52 ZA, which is a low viscosity crack injection resin, was used to permanently fill all shrinkage cracks. Sikalastic® -152, was reinforced using the Sika® Glass Fiber Mesh #155, ensured a watertight barrier over all these shrinkage cracks. All the stainless steel handrails along the Promenade were anchored using SikaGrout®-212.

In addition to the wide range of products used across the site, SikaTop® Armatec®-110 Epocem® bonding primer was used with our Sika Monotop® range of mortars for general defects. To counter the possibility of graffiti, and facilitate its removal, Sikagard®-850 AG, a single component anti-graffiti coating, will be used on the northern and southern side of the promenade including all signage. Sikagard® -705 L Silane was used as a concrete protection treatment on the front face of the structure below the cantilever, against the ingress of chlorides from the marine environment. 

A great achievement for the Steffanutti Stocks team was to complete a project of this magnitude, from demolishing existing structures to completion in 18 months, without any delays.  To keep to such a tight deadline the team worked exceptionally hard. They managed to cast 20 000 m2 of concrete to suspended slabs in 6 months – a total of 8600 cubic metres. A huge task and achievement for any contractor. Sika South Africa is proud to have been chosen as one of the major suppliers for this prestigious and groundbreaking project. We look forward to continuing to supply Sika’s innovative and sustainability-enhancing products to many more one of the foremost sustainability projects in South Africa