Increasing the utilisation of hybrid concrete construction in South Africa

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Hybrid concrete construction (HCC) is a construction technique that makes use of both in-situ and pre-fabricatedconcrete products by making optimum use of the advantages of both these methods in the same project. Althoughthe advantages of this building method is well recognised throughout the world and a feasibility study illustratedthat HCC is a suitable building method in South Africa, it remains under-utilised in the country.HCC encourages early involvement from the project team and provides clients with the best value projects and awin-win situation for the project team during the project development. The objective of this study is to identifybarriers that prohibit an increased utilisation of HCC for the South African construction industry. Additionally, itprovides possible solutions to overcome these barriers. These proposed solutions are similar to the programmesand methods that are implemented in other countries to improve their HCC utilisation. Furthermore, drivers areidentified in this study to implement these solutions in the industry and a proposed change model is developedfor private companies to assist with the change process.This study is unique because current South African conditions are used to establish the barriers and solutions.Furthermore, it takes into account that not all countries have such progressive construction industries as theEuropean markets and therefore it considers solutions and drivers that are suitable for less advanced industriessuch as South Africa. The model that is proposed is applicable to any industry regardless of its nature or country.Although the United Kingdom is not the widest user of pre-fabricated concrete products, their HCC research isextensive, making it a suitable comparative country for the South African construction industry.During the investigation, the procurement methods in South Africa were found to be traditional and do notallow for early involvement or partnering in the project team. To obtain early involvement, it is critical to initiatemethods such as design-and-build, contract management or public-private-partnerships during the procurementphase.Decision and design assistance from the whole project team and software tools are essential when HCC isconsidered. Because the South African construction industry does not provide such support it is advised hereto incorporate contractors from an early stage and to develop software tools that can assist during the decisionmaking and design process of HCC structures. The industry does not provide the project team with sufficienttraining programmes that increase knowledge of HCC. Training programmes that are cognitive stimulatingmust be developed for the industry. Furthermore, a database is required to illustrate the utilisation of differentpre-fabricated products and in different projects within South Africa.Labour-intensive construction regulations and green building techniques (not compulsory) are promoted in SouthAfrica. Labour-intensive programmes should consider the negative impact it has on the labourers and considerHCC as a building technique because the pre-fabricated elements are manufactured in a controlled and safeenvironment. It is advised that the toolkits that are used for green building accreditation, must be revised toaccommodate the additional benefits such as less waste generation, that HCC offers to a project.Regardless of the country in which HCC is utilised, the environment must be acceptable for the innovation. Byanalysing the criteria that influences the use of HCC in a country and adding weighting functions to these criteria,the acceptability towards the innovation can be obtained.Furthermore, public clients and companies are recognised here as drivers of change. While public clients can committo HCC for the cost, labour-intensive factories, green building methods, improved health and safety, training forlabourers, private companies can utilise HCC to provide best value to a project. A model is proposed here forinnovative companies that will allow them to change not only the company, but the industry towards a HCCmindset.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University