Concrete rehabilitation of the NWK Silo 3 complex in
Lichtenburg, South Africa, was
completed in October 2023. The
Penetron System, a suite of crystalline waterproofing products, was
specified to ensure the new concrete silo base structures, as well
as NWK's existing silos, would be impermeable to moisture and water
– providing crucial protection from water intrusion and related
concrete deterioration – and ensuring the stored crops are kept
dry.
EAST
SETAUKET, N.Y., July 18,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Concrete
rehabilitation of the NWK Silo 3 complex in Lichtenburg,
South Africa, was completed in
October 2023. The Penetron System, a
suite of crystalline waterproofing products, was specified to
ensure the new concrete silo base structures, as well as NWK's
existing silos, would be impermeable to moisture and water –
providing crucial protection from water intrusion and related
concrete deterioration – and ensuring the stored crops are kept
dry.
To prevent further deterioration of the
older silo base structures, it was important that a comprehensive
repair and waterproofing of the damaged concrete be implemented
with the Penetron System.
A town of around 27,000 in South
Africa's Northwest Province, Lichtenburg is situated in the
heart of the region's "maize triangle," well-known as a center of
farming and ranching. NWK has been a leading agricultural business
within the Northwest Province and across the country for over a
century. Today, the company offers a wide range of products and
services for the agricultural market, including the marketing,
handling, and storage of grains and dry beans from the province's
farms – currently boasting a grain storage capacity of 1.7 million
tons.
NWK's new Silo 3 complex in Lichtenburg consists of 8 silo
bases, which are the foundation structures of silos used to store
various types of grain or silage. The impermeability of these
concrete structures is vital to prevent moisture from penetrating
into the silo and damaging the stored agricultural crops
within.
While silos are familiar, simple structures, they require
careful construction, operation, and maintenance. Meticulous
control of the temperature and moisture within a silo is necessary
to prevent contamination of the stored grain. This is not as simple
as it sounds. For example, when the air temperature around the
outer walls of a silo falls, the warm air inside the structure can
rise, creating convection air circulation. If temperatures inside a
silo rise above 90°F (32°C), the quality of the stored grain can
quickly deteriorate.
As noted above, if water or moisture seep through an untreated
concrete silo base and the moisture level rises above the critical
12% level, the risk of insect infestation, as well as mold and the
sprouting of grains, increases, severely affecting grain mass and
quality.
"When it came to protecting the harvest stored in its silos, NWK
wanted to ensure the new Silo 3 complex – and all of its older
silos – would keep the grain dry," noted Jonathan Whitehead, Technical Engineering
Support for Penetron Africa. "However, because of the age of some
existing silos, numerous signs of concrete deterioration were
evident."
Upon closer inspection of the existing silo bases, the Penetron
technical specialist identified various concrete issues, including
spalling, cracks, water leaks, and delaminated expansion
joints.
"To prevent further deterioration of the older silo base
structures, it was important that a comprehensive repair and
waterproofing of the damaged concrete be implemented with the
Penetron System," adds Jonathan
Whitehead.
The Penetron System was specified for the repair of the
compromised concrete structures of the NWK Silo 3 complex to ensure
a permanent barrier against moisture and water ingress. A
combination of PENETRON, a topically applied crystalline slurry,
and PENECRETE MORTAR, a crystalline waterproofing repair grout,
were used to fill in all cracks wider than 0.5 mm and repair other
damaged concrete surfaces; in total, 2,000 m2 (22,000 ft2) of
concrete were treated. The crack repairs were completed by Delmos,
a Penetron-approved applicator, guaranteeing the durability of both
the new and repaired silos.
Jansen Van Vuuren, Project
Manager at NWK, was pleased with the results: "We quickly realized
the Penetron System was the right solution; it provided optimal
abrasion resistance, permanent waterproofing from the negative
side, and comprehensive concrete rehabilitation. Last but not
least, the Penetron solution was also more economical than the
other options proposed!"
The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty
construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs,
and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global
network, offering support to the design and construction community
through its regional offices, representatives, and distribution
channels.
For more information on PENETRON waterproofing solutions, please
visit penetron(dot)com or Facebook(dot)com/ThePenetronGroup, email
CRDept(at)penetron(dot)com or contact the Corporate Relations
Department at 631-941-9700.
Media Contact
Corporate Relations, The Penetron Group, 631-941-9700,
crdept@penetron.com, www.penetron.com
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SOURCE The Penetron Group