Civil Engineering July 2022 | Vol 30 No 6

oN THE COVER I nfrastructure development plays a critical role in the prosperity and economic growth of a country. Bhoora highlights that due to its clear ‘multiplier effect’, infrastructure investment has continually proven to be a highly successful growth engine. However, he says, for project owners to realise a sustainable return on investment, it is essential to build durable and cost- effective structures. The longevity of infrastructure hinges on the quality of construction materials such as aggregate, concrete and cement, among others. Quality assurance and proper assessment of the properties of these materials is therefore critical to ensure high quality infrastructure. QUALITY ASSURANCE “Quality is the basis for longevity in construction projects. At AfriSam we pay attention to quality assurance and process control testing to ensure that all our products comply with the relevant national and international standards. All our cement products meet the SANS 50197 requirements and are made in facilities that are ISO 9001 accredited. I believe that we are the only construction materials provider in South Africa that still maintains the ISO mark in aggregates and readymix concrete,” says Bhoora. Material testing is a must in construc- tion, especially in road projects, Bhoora stresses. Internationally recognised methods include Los Angeles Abrasion, Polished Value Stone and California Bearing Ratio tests. For road construction projects, AfriSam quarries produce G1 to G7 products for layerworks, which conform to the COTO specification. In addition, most of the company’s opera- tions also produce stone and crushed sand for use in asphalt production. ‘BUYING DOWN’ ON QUALITY For any project, construction materials selected should fulfil the functions expected from them. Yet, in South Africa there are worrying signs of ‘buying down’ on the quality of both aggregates and readymix concrete. “The rules of the game have changed significantly. There is much increased appetite for lower quality construction materials, probably due to affordability. Quality construction materials key to long-lasting infrastructure Utilisation of quality construction materials is the foundation for durable and cost-effective infrastructure projects. Yet, there is an apparent ‘buying down’ on quality of product on both public and private developments, notes AfriSam construction materials executive Avi Bhoora. 4 July 2022 Civil Engineering As a construction materials supplier, AfriSam maintains the ISO mark in aggregate and readymix concrete