Aluminium tops new Durban tower

Local aluminium manufacturer Alpull has been awarded the contract to manufacture the cowl for the new
Millennium Tower in Durban. The cowl stands on top of a 35 m high concrete structure that houses the port
control. It will be mounted on top of a steel carousel that allows it to rotate in tune with the changing wind
direction, while a central spire will indicate the height of the tide.
The cowl will be manufactured using the high-strength-to-weight ratio Amplibeam structural wall manufactured
using the firm's Ampliform process at its factory in Maritzburg. The Ampliform process involves the slotting and
stretching of an aluminium extrusion to create an expanded aluminium product. The beams make efficient use
of the attributes of aluminium by ensuring that the volume or mass of the metal is placed where it can do the
most work.
The cowl tower is 35 m high, with a base diameter of 14 m, and is fashioned from a truncated cone. Vertical
columns are manufactured using the structural wall type ALB 475, the largest and strongest of the Amplibeam
family. This type is a relative newcomer to the range of structural members and its introduction has opened
many doors for the Ampliform design team. The purlin rings will be manufactured using the structural wall types
ALB 365 and ALB 200, depending on the loading requirements. In total, 12 t of aluminium will be used. When
compared to steel, in volume, the amount of steel would be in the region of 36 t, thus making a notable
difference when designing foundations.
Colourful bands of sheet metal and extrusions will be skirted around the outside of the structure to add
character, and the lower portion will be covered in a mesh skin for aesthetic effect. Amplimesh type 102
manufactured by the firm using the same slot-and-stretch method will be used for this purpose, while strobe
lights will be fitted to enhance night-time viewing.
The wind vane, which points out the direction of the wind, will be a welded aluminium fabrication and standard
aluminium section will be used for this feature.
The Bluff area of Durban is considered to be the most corrosive area in South Africa, hence aluminium is the
most suitable metal. Mill- finished aluminium will be used in the construction with some brackets and all the bolts
being manufactured from 316 stainless steel. The oxidation characteristics of aluminium will ensure the structure
has a long and maintenance-free lifespan. The structural design was carried out by Vawda Thornton Consulting
Engineers, of Durban, and the erection will be carried out by Protekon Construction.
The 75 m Millennium Tower will be erected above Durban's Bluff at the cost of some R7-million.3/13/2014 Engineering News - Aluminium tops newDurban tower

Durban has a signal station on the Bluff, which is used to display visual signals to inform ships whether they may
enter or leave port.
This structure, which was built in 1955, is a simple cylindrical tower, but nevertheless has a significant presence
on the Bluff skyline.
At present, the port control function is carried out from the Durmarine building on the T-jetty in the middle of the
port.
However, the acquisition of a sophisticated radar-based vessel-tracking system demanded more space than
was available in the port control facility. The former Portnet decided to incorporate the old signal station and port
control in a new larger structure on the Bluff, at the location of the old signal station.
Apart from fulfilling a functional role, the tower will become the weather centre for the city of Durban, displaying
wind direction and tide.

Amplimesh Bird Proofing

Amplimesh Bird Proofing

Amplimesh was chosen as the bird proof mesh in the recently completed Hammersdale Mall in Mpumalanga. The Amplimesh Type 101A has an aperture of 20mm x 40mm ensuring even small birds find it difficult to enter the shopping area bit it still allows the free flow of fresh air into the public areas.

Amplimesh is manufactured from an aluminium extrusion so maintenance to prevent corrosion is not an issue. The mesh can be powder coated or anodised to various colours in order for it to match the aesthetics of the structure.

Amplimesh can be fitted into most standard window systems or it can be installed using specially designed aluminium extrusions. Either method gives as strong and secure installation.

Amplimesh has been used in a wide variety of security and access control applications. It is strong and durable and is capable of meeting most mesh requirements. Should you require any further information please visit our web site or contact us directly on 033 3869291.

Aluminium Frame Marquees

AliFab has reciently completed the sale of two Aluminium Frame Marquees to the Arusha International Conferance Centre in Tanzania. The marquees were required as extra space is required for the expanding central African conferance facility.
For the full story follow this link to the press release
http://www.prlog.org/11885445

Roof Grip Access Walkways

Alifab manufacture a roof sheet access walkway grating using Ampligrip Type 201 aluminium floor grating. The product allows maintenance and inspection crews to access the roof top without causing damage to the roof sheets. The floor grating is bonded onto the roof thereby not damaging the integrity of the roof sheets.

The product has successfully been installed on a number of large and small projects around South Africa including Gateway Shopping Centre, Toyota Durban, OR Tambo Airport Johannesburg and King Shaka Airport Durban.

Usually the walkway is installed onto new sheeting installations but it can also be fitted after the building has been in use providing the damage to the sheeting is not excessive. It is normally use where access is required to or when work is to be done on air conditioning plant, curtain walls, sky lights, ventilators, power packs or where anything  is mounted at high level and access is required across roof sheets.

Alifab is currently busy with various project around South Africa and may soon do our first job in Southern Africa. The product is simple to install and may therefore be installed by most contractors. We do of course offer turnkey project, so if required we include installation anywhere in Southern Africa.

For further information contact us or visit the product web site at www.roofgrip.co.za