A total of 50 entries of projects completed in 2012 were received this year and Spencer Erling, SAISC education director and convener of the Steel Awards judges, said that although the number of entries this year was less than those in the bumper years of 2009 and 2010, it was still a significant amount considering the industry has experienced a significant slowdown since then.
This year heralded the 32nd Steel Awards, which recognises excellence in the use of structural steel in a number of categories. Shayne Lessing of WALLS & ROOFS in Africa attended the gala dinner held at Emperor’s Palace, Gauteng, on 19 September 2013, where over 750 guests were in attendance.
A total of 50 entries of projects completed in 2012 were received this year and Spencer Erling, SAISC education director and convener of the Steel Awards judges, said that although the number of entries this year was less than those in the bumper years of 2009 and 2010, it was still a significant amount considering the industry has experienced a significant slowdown since then.
“However, the quality of entries this year makes up for the lack of quantity. I am constantly amazed how the standard of entries seems to improve each year. Considering the history of high-level work that has been entered into the Steel Awards over the years, it is most encouraging that the bar is raised on such a consistent basis,” Erling says.
Overall winner
The overall winner of this year’s event was the Medupi Power Station project, which also won the Mining and Industrial Category Award for the main frame and boiler grid support project at Medupi.
The judges said: “The boiler support structures really exhibit excellence in the use of structural steel. It is a classic heavy engineering project of spectacular proportions, and represents heavy engineering at its best. The structures look so clean and simple, especially before all the rest of the steelwork, platforms, boiler casings and piping bundles and other equipment enclose them. And don’t be fooled – these four-legged braced monsters soar 105 metres into the sky!”
The main sponsor of the Steel Awards 2013, which was held simultaneously in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban on 19 September, was Aveng Steel (Aveng’s steel cluster consisting of Aveng Trident Steel, Aveng Steel Fabrication, formerly DSE, and Aveng Steeledale). Other sponsors were Macsteel (table décor), Cadex SA (photo competition), the Association of Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturers of South Africa (Tubular Award), Stewarts & Lloyds (Light Steel Frame Award) and partner sponsors ArcelorMittal SA, B&T Steel, Eazi Sales & Service, Genrec Engineering, NJR Steel, Peddinghaus, Tubular Holdings and Vital Engineering.
The fabrication of the Medupi structure is worthy of special mention. The major boxed column and beam components are fabricated to the extremely exacting dimensional tolerance requirements of 2mm on those massive pieces of steel. The boxed columns have extensive diaphragm and stiffening requirements, making it difficult to meet the “squareness” requirements, especially taking the distortion resulting from the welds into account.
The boiler support grid at the 105-metre level is critical to the success of the boiler house structures. It consists of 110 structural elements. A structural failure at this level could result in the release of super-heated steam, which could be disastrous in terms of loss of life to people in the vicinity!
“The enormously high standard of engineering at every level in the process – structural design, connection design, detailing of the structures, fabrication and erection and the comprehensive checking to ensure that the demanding requirements are fully met – are therefore completely justifiable,” the judges said.
Project team overall winner
Developer/owner: Eskom
Architect: Eskom
Structural engineer: Hitachi Power Europe
Quantity surveyor: Genrec Engineering
Project manager: Hitachi Power Africa
Main contractor: Hitachi Power Africa
Steelwork contractor: Genrec Engineering
Detailers/detailing company: Genrec Engineering
Site erection: Murray & Roberts
The other category winners were:
Architectural category winner
New Alexander Forbes Head Office
The judges said the building confirms a new maturity in the South African built environment. “We can do whatever is done elsewhere in the world and we can do it better. This shows that we have a unique South African style and that we do not need to copy overseas designs,” they said.
Refurbishment and extensions category joint winner
King Edward VII School new library and museum
Heather Dodd, representing the South African Institute of Architects and one of the judges, said this project is a “beautiful example of a careful rework of a historic building, giving it a new programme and lease on life”. She added that “the architect’s enthusiasm for the project was also noted in seeking innovative ways of engaging with the technology in using simple means to achieve a beautifully crafted finish”.
Refurbishment and extensions category joint winner
The extension and refurbishment of the new Paarman Foods factory in Diep River, Cape Town, won this award. Paarman Foods is a well-known producer of food sauces and the like. The process equipment used in its factory is exceptionally expensive, ruling out the possibilities of, firstly, building a new factory on the basis of buying new equipment that would run parallel to the existing plant during the switchover and, secondly, one that would have meant lost production during a move to new premises.
Residential category winner
Spectacular Rooi Els beach house
The judges noted that while the judging criterion for this category is excellence in the use of structural steel, this house displayed excellence in almost everything. They said they were intrigued right from the start when, on an early judging trip a few years ago, seeing the skeleton of the structure rise from the rocks and then viewing the photographs of the finished article that accompanied the entry. “It stood out as a winner in all the criteria, and it also showed what steel can do when faced with its ‘arch enemy’ – corrosion!” they said.
Light steel frame building (LSFB) category winner
NTT Audi new showroom
One of the judges, Peter Curr, representing the Association for Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturers of South Africa, said that over the past few years the entries for the LSFB category have been predominantly for residential structures. “This, however, was a top-end motor showroom, which was certainly a departure from the norm and certainly required closer inspection. It came through with flying colours demonstrating the unique attributes of LSFB. In this case, instead of straight and square lines, we were treated to dramatic curves that illustrated the versatility of the product,” he said.
Tubular category winner
Standard Bank, Rosebank
One of the judges, Franco Mordini, representing the Association of Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturers of South Africa, the category sponsor, said this project used tubes in an aesthetically pleasing and effective manner both from an architectural and engineering point of view, while the quality of fabrication also impressed.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was also made to John Barnard, managing director of the SAISC division, the Southern African Light Steel Frame Association (SAFSA).
