Sika products have formed an integral part of the extensive two-year refurbishment and extension project at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, providing the super-regional mall with a complete transformation.
From the additional two levels of parking space, to installation of massive windows, relocation of lifts and a facade upgrade, the 133Â 000m2 Eastgate Shopping Centre boasts a whole new image.
For temporary waterproofing of the mall’s upper level concrete parking structure, prior to new asphalting, Stefanutti Stocks awarded the contract to TDS Waterproofing.
With accreditations for accelerated ageing tests on long term exposure to UV radiation and elevated temperatures, Sika BlackSeal T-140 SG and Sika BlackSeal T-140 PG were the immediate systems of choice. Both products are sheet-waterproofing membranes (4mm thick), based on APP (atactic poly-propylene) modified bitumen, reinforced with polyester nonwoven fabric.
Sika BlackSeal T-140 SG has a sanded surface, while Sika BlackSeal T-140 PG has a plain bitumen surface and is flexible to 00C. To ease the torch-applied installation, the reverse sides of both membranes are faced with polyethylene film.
The system provides excellent tensile strength and elongation, high resistance to water vapour and good dimensional stability. With inclement weather and a prohibitive time schedule, this proved a challenging project for the contractor.
For repairs to the mall’s extensive facade, consultants Aurecon specified a number of Sika’s tried and tested products. This phase of the refurbishment commenced in September 2015 with Stefanutti Stocks applying Sika’s high performance Sikagrout-212 (7500 litres) for general repairs to all walls and columns.
Easy to use, with an adjustable consistency, this cement based, fluid grout provides rapid strength development and high final strengths. It expands by gas generation whilst in the plastic state of curing, is non-corrosive and shrinkage compensated.
Sika Rep LW (200 litres), a one component, non-sag, cement-based patching and repair mortar was used on all overhead beams and roof slabs.
It is permeable to water vapour with a high resistance to freeze/thaw cycling and provides excellent adhesion.As an anti-corrosion reinforcement primer and bonding agent, Sika MonoTop-610 was applied to the concrete facade.
With excellent adhesion to concrete and steel, the product meets ZTV-SIB requirements for corrosion protection. To achieve a uniform colour over the repaired areas, Sika MonoTop-620, a pore sealer and skimming mortar containing silica fume, was applied.
These cementitious, polymer-modified MonoTop products are extremely user friendly with an adjustable consistency and are sprayable by the wet spray method. Both provide good mechanical strengths and resistance to water and chloride penetration.
Sikaflex PRO-3, a one-part, moisture-curing, elastic joint sealant with high mechanical resistance, was applied to all expansion joints.
Solvent-free and odourless, it provides bubble-free curing with a movement capability of 25%. Sikaflex PRO-3 is a multi-purpose joint sealant, suitable for interior, exterior and cold climate applications, and meets the most stringent international emission standards.
Compared to previous polyurethane and silane-terminated polymer-based sealants, Sikaflex PRO-3 exhibits unsurpassed adhesion to porous and non-porous substrates and provides increased UV stability with a lower tendency for discolouration.
As a versatile anchoring adhesive for various applications of the project, Sika AnchorFix-3+ was used. An epoxy resin-based, high performance, two-part adhesive, Sika AnchorFix-3+ is solvent-free and thixotropic and is used for fixing non-expanding anchors such as handrails, balustrades, railings and window or door frames.
Advantages include a long open time, high load capacity and shrinkage-free hardening as well as being styrene-free with low odour.
Several challenges experienced during this project included noise and dust pollution, as well as the inconvenience of working in a fully functioning mall with shoppers and traffic having to be accommodated.
Nevertheless, the project was completed timeously and within budget with much credit being assigned to the sheer quality and ease of application of these Sika products.
In 1979, Eastgate Shopping Centre opened as one of Johannesburg’s first mega malls and, over the decades, remained a prime destination for residents of east Gauteng.
Now in 2016, after completion of this massive refurbishment, involving Sika’s state-of-the-art products, Eastgate has been transformed into one of the largest, most prestigious malls in the region.
For more information on Sika products and systems, visit www.sika.co.za
Sika AG Corporate Profile
Sika AG, is a globally active specialty chemicals company with its South African Head Office based in Durban, and branches in all major SA cities.
Sika AG, located in Baar, Switzerland, supplies the building and construction industry as well as manufacturing industries (automotive, bus, truck, rail, solar and wind power plants, facades).
Sika is a leader in processing materials used in sealing, bonding, damping, reinforcing and protecting load-bearing structures. Sika’s product lines feature high-quality concrete admixtures, specialty mortars, sealants and adhesives, damping and reinforcing materials, structural strengthening systems, industrial flooring as well as roofing and waterproofing systems.
Sika has subsidiaries in 93 countries around the world and manufactuers in over 170 factories, with some 17 281 employees link customers directly to Sika and guarantee the success of all partners. Sika generated annual sales of CHF 5.49 billion in 2015.
