Insights

FastPatch Products

Sample HubSpot User — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 00:18:45 GMT

What is FastPatch?

FastPatch is a unique polymer repair system that bonds tenaciously to surfaces and remains flexible throughout its service life. FastPatch products boast a very impressive cure time of just a few minutes, allowing for quick return-to-service times. It is also applied cold, which makes it safe to use and means it will not push or shove after it is installed. Overall, FastPatch will outlast and outperform traditional epoxy and polyurethane products due to its unique polymer properties. Some of the most popular products in the FastPatch range include:

FastPatch DPR

FastPatch DPR (Distressed Pavement Repair) is an easy to install, long-lasting repair material for distressed pavement that can be applied in warm or cooler climates. FastPatch DPR can be used with FastPatch Kicker (accelerator) to form a fast-curing permanent repair that is ready for traffic in a short period of time. DPR has excellent adhesion, absorbs impact and is freeze-thaw resistant. Easily create smooth transitions and ultra-tough level surfaces. Minimal site preparation and fast cure times reduce traffic interruptions. The product is completely odorless making it suitable for indoor applications as well.

Roadways
Parking Lots
Warehouses
Sidewalks
Any Crack or Spall in Concrete Needing Repair

Features and Benefits:

Easy-to-Apply – Mix with cordless drill, pour, & finish in minutes
Lasting Repair – Excellent adhesion & absorbs impact
Open to Traffic Quickly – Reduce traffic interruptions
Recycled & Renewable Materials – Sustainable sources
Odorless – 100% solids & suitable for indoor applications
Freeze-Thaw Resistant – Long term repair for colder climates

FastPatch 5000

FastPatch 5000 is a long-lasting repair material for concrete repair applications. Much like the DPR, it has excellent adhesion, freeze-thaw resistant, and cures fast. It derives its name from its characteristic compressive strength of 5000 psi (34 MPa) as required for use on airfields by the Federal Aviation Administration. High yield stress and excellent impact resistance make it perfect for tough applications such as bridge approaches or departures. The product is odourless, and it is easily applied with a meter, kits, or cartridges for indoor or outdoor applications. Its fast cure time allows the repaired areas to be opened to traffic quickly.

Airfields
Roads/Highways
Bridges
Warehouse Floors
Parking Decks
Sidewalks

Features and Benefits:

Rapid cure – as little as 1 hour return to service
100% Solids, no odor
1:1 Ratio by volume – easy application
Excellent concrete adhesion
Minimal equipment requirements
Ideal for concrete repairs where high strength material is required

FastPatch MD

FastPatch MD is the machine-dispensed variant of the range. It allows for easy installation for large quantities of DPR or 5000 using an automated, metred dispensing unit. As with the DPR & 5000, it displays excellent performance and durability.

Roadways – repair cracks, spalls, broken slabs
Parking lots – repair damaged areas
Warehouse – transitions or spalls
Sidewalks – broken or damaged areas
Airfields and larger sale applications

Features and Benefits:

Cold applies – easy to use and safe to apply
Fast Curing – reopen to traffic quickly
Flexible – absorbs impact stress
Excellent Adhesion – restores damaged areas
Two Set Times – for a wide range of application condition

FastPatch EJC (25, 50, 100)

EJC (Elastomeric Joint Compound) is a range of flexible, two-component, rapid setting, polyurethane-based joint sealants. EJC Sealants are offered with three movement capabilities 25%, 50%, and 100% to match the flexibility needed for the application. The sealants are forever flexible and will not become brittle or shrink over time. Their chemical resistance is superior to silicones and the EJC sealants have tremendous adhesion to asphalt, concrete, and steel. The EJC Sealants can be machine-applied for high volume application and they are offered in dual-component cartridges for quick installation. Their cure time is fast, and they can be exposed to traffic within an hour.

Expansion Joints
Airport Runways and Highways
Parking Decks, Bridge Decks, Roofing, Sidewalks

Features And Benefits:

Rapid Cure – as little as 1 hour return to service
Highly Elastic – moves with the joint

What COVID Has Exposed About the Construction Industry

Sample HubSpot User — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 04:21:44 GMT

Although the construction industry has been wrought with major issues, such as approval delays, resource shortages, and lack of funding before COVID-19, these issues seem to have magnified even more amidst the pandemic.

In this article, we’ll look into what COVID-19 has exposed about these issues in the construction industry and how Antoun can help.

Skilled and Unskilled Worker shortage

Many construction companies have struggled with labour shortages and acquiring skilled and unskilled construction workers with a 21.5% notable decline in construction trades apprenticeships. The impact of COVID-19 and ongoing border closures have made it even more difficult to hire qualified talent.

At the moment, architectural, building and surveying technicians, contract, program and project administrators, and civil engineering professionals continue to land in the top three most in-demand jobs in Australia.

With the current surge in construction and infrastructure projects, the industry continues to face a skills replacement gap, especially in the coming years as the workforce turns over. Looking at the current apprenticeship system, it is unlikely to produce the required number of workers needed to support new projects.

One of the main factors contributing to the skill shortage is that megaprojects continue to be prioritised over smaller and maintenance projects. Long government approval times are also partly to blame with many stakeholders having to stand idly, waiting for projects to be approved.

Amidst all the uncertainty, it is crucial to fast-track return to service as much as possible.

Product Shortages & Increased Costs

COVID-19 has significantly disrupted supply chains with notable shortages and delivery delays in construction products from overseas. Australia relies heavily on China to import building materials and equipment to get the most of lower costs and higher efficiencies, but because of the pandemic, manufacturing productions declined, including the volume of exports.

With a weaker Australian dollar, the cost of imported products and materials have increased, especially in supply-and-fit projects where more expensive alternative materials are used.

Even if construction companies decide to buy materials locally, supply will maintain higher costs and delays will continue to be expected. Most contractors and businesses will have to remain with their original suppliers.

COVID-19 could very well force many industries, including construction, to explore how it can transform its global supply chain model, which continues to be a vulnerability for organisations.

Through it all, a lack of information on the changing market is also undermining confidence and hampering decision-making in businesses.

With international travel limitations and border restrictions continuing to pile up for foreign companies, companies are expected to reconsider the regions they plan to operate.

Inefficient Processes & Methodologies

COVID-19 has also forced many businesses to rethink their current processes and methodologies. For example, in Australian airports, saving every dollar is paramount after huge losses from travel restrictions. A condition-based replacement could be an alternative in the maintenance of airport assets. Condition-based replacement would mean that if a slab section needs 70% replacement, repairs can be focused on this while keeping the remaining 30% as is. This ensures only poor and degraded areas that require repair and replacement undergo maintenance repairs instead of bulk replacements. Antoun can provide flexibility to achieve condition-based replacement, using our innovative Rapid Set concrete.

The Need to Innovate & Embrace Technology

Now more than ever, resource shortages and project delays have raised the need to fast-track projects to save time. In an industry where being physically present onsite is crucial, many construction companies have had to adapt to working remotely. This need has made the industry more receptive to new technologies such as web-based meetings and other helpful applications to ensure business remains as usual even for those who are working further apart than ever.

Site virtual tours are now more common. Even designs can be discussed and shared online.

The pandemic has forced many businesses to accept the reality that transforming their business is crucial to survival.

Need for Maintenance of Infrastructure Projects

The current infrastructure maintenance backlog in Australia has impacted sectors such as energy, water, and transportation. All this highlights the need to re-prioritise certain projects in the short-to-medium term while keeping bigger-infrastructure city projects firmly in the pipeline.

Maintenance projects need to be on top of the agenda, just as much as new infrastructure projects. Companies must re-calibrate and prioritise projects that are critical to economic growth and keeping the public safe. Neglected infrastructure only leads to safety issues and asset degradation, which can pile up more reconstruction costs over time.

Companies will need to invest in proper data and reporting across sectors to analyse the viability of projects and determine which infrastructure assets are in dire need of preventative maintenance.

How Antoun Can Help

COVID-19 has brought many underlying issues in the construction industry to the surface, issues that may have been discarded and ignored many times before. The construction industry today can no longer turn a blind eye to labour and supply shortages, higher project costs, outdated methodologies and the need for infrastructure maintenance projects. Until these issues are addressed, new infrastructure projects that are essential to economic growth will be ill-equipped to deliver any real value.

With skill and supply shortages resources are hard to come by because of unprecedented global disruption.

Getting your project right the first time, minimising unnecessary costs and overruns can make all the difference in addressing skill and supply shortages and inefficient systems.

Antoun’s E6 Methodology is the gateway to fast-tracking critical infrastructure projects using innovative and agile solutions like rapid-set concrete, which provides clients with the added flexibility to choose the best solution that meets their budget while exceeding timeline expectations.

Get in touch with Antoun today to find out how we can help you fast-track your next project.

6 Ways to Combat the Construction Resource Shortage

Sample HubSpot User — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 03:56:42 GMT

Amidst the surge of delayed infrastructure projects across Australia, many construction companies today are struggling with labour shortages and acquiring qualified talent. The impact of COVID-19 and ongoing border closures have also affected the supply of skilled and unskilled construction workers.

With the Australian transport infrastructure sector poised to grow at a rate of 4.9% per year for the next ten years and with an expected annual industry growth rate of 2.4% over the next five years, it is clear that the demand for skilled workers is not going away anytime soon. In fact, the top three most in-demand jobs in Australia is seen to comprise of architectural, building and surveying technicians, contract, program and project administrators, and civil engineering professionals.

However, the 21.5% decline in construction trades apprenticeships since 2016 poses a significant problem to the industry as it continues to face a skills replacement gap. With the current surge in construction and infrastructure projects, the industry faces the challenge of replacing larger numbers of high skilled workers in the coming years as the workforce turns over. And, at the moment, it is unlikely that the current apprenticeship system can produce the required number of workers.

In this article, we’ll explore six ways Australia can address these challenges and the steps construction companies can take to combat the construction resource shortage.

1 - Hire Interns

Currently, the construction industry is laden with mentorships and apprenticeships. But to address the resource shortage, it may be worth exploring the possibility of hiring more interns instead.

Most companies offer internships to secure workers before they graduate. In turn, many university students opt for internships rather than apprenticeships as this guarantees them better work opportunities upon graduation.

Below are just a few reasons why internships may be the practical choice to reduce resource shortage today.

Internships are cheaper and help employers save money. This is beneficial for construction projects that are already strapped with reduced budgets and struggling with high costs.
As compared to apprenticeships, internships can help secure future workers.
Internships also typically last for a few months to a year, while apprenticeships are long term. This can reduce the time it takes to find new resources.
With the slow months in construction, now is an ideal time to train.
Internships are not contracted and can be part-time.

2 - Explore Talent in Other Industries

There are plenty of transferable skills that are found in other industries, so it may be worth headhunting for staff from outside the construction industry.

For example, using veterans and ex-army personnel can help fill the gap for resources in construction. Many non-profit programs like helmets to hardhats offer veterans with work doing bricklaying, plastering, tile setting, stone, marble and cement masonry, and many others. In Australia, Veterans in Construction (VCS) seek to help veterans that have returned to civilian life to find work within the construction industry. There’s also the Veterans Employment Program that places returning veterans leaving the Australian defence force with suitable civilian work.

Though their skills are not specific to construction, army veterans have an extensive range of skills, experience, and qualifications that make them valuable members to the construction workforce. They are highly trainable and are seen to have many non-tangible skills that can be of value to construction projects such as adaptability, being able to learn quickly, teamwork, focus, integrity, and initiative.

3 - Shift Towards New Retention and Hiring Strategies

Construction is an industry that relies heavily on humans. But given the surge in backlog for infrastructure projects and the lack of skilled workers to help fill the gap, it would be wise to look beyond traditional methods and labour pools to find valuable talent.

According to an AGC survey, 50% of today’s contractors are engaged with career-building programs. On top of that, 66% of firms reported increasing the base pay rates of craft workers because of the difficulty in filling positions, while 29% reported providing additional incentives and bonuses to attract craft workers.

4 - Maximise Efficiencies Through Digitisation

Construction companies and contractors should speed up the adoption of digitisation, so they can address process inefficiencies and continue to stay competitive.

Unlike other industries that have already adopted digitisation, the construction industry has yet to take the next step forward. But with the increasing problems with labour shortages and the increasing demand to speed up infrastructure projects, now may be the time.

In the next 15 years, 1.16 million construction jobs will be at risk of automation, while another 30% are expected to be augmented by technology. This shift demands construction workers to upskill, undergo additional training, and learn new tools and software to continue to be qualified for new roles.

29% of forward-thinking construction companies are already exploring new ways to innovate by investing in technology and automation such as the use of 3D printers, virtual construction tools, and lean construction techniques. 46% of contractors are also launching in-house training programs.

Digital models are helping contractors to scale their production, which requires less people to man project sites. Through digitisation and the use of new construction software, construction companies can strengthen their BIM capabilities, enable digitally remote sales, improve collaboration, and help them measure performance through relevant KPIs.

5 - Opt For In-House Specialisation

Many contractors are opting for in-house training programs that allow them to take on skilled workers for a specific role, and further enabling them through mentorship or further training to become a specialist in a certain area. An example of this are engineers being allowed to specialise in core areas such as maritime and developing into a maritime engineer.

With the current challenge in finding highly qualified resources, focusing on hiring someone with a broad range of skills and training them later on is easier than hiring specialists.

6 - Partner With Companies You Can Trust

On top of having the right resource to fast-track the completion of your next project, partnering with contractors and subcontractors you can trust to get a job done efficiently can help ensure success.

With increasing costs and reduced budgets, companies cannot afford to make mistakes. Working with trusted partners like Antoun who have the experience needed to do the job right the first time can help companies better manage risk and ensure the successful delivery of mission-critical projects.

Antoun is an internationally diverse civil construction and engineering business that focuses on bringing advanced technologies and innovative solutions to clients and the broader community. It’s E6 Methodology® is a tried and tested approach that reduces construction time and takes the burden off resourcing.

How Antoun Can Help With Resource Shortage in Construction

The construction resource shortage can significantly impact the bottomline. To find a means to address the labour shortage, construction companies need to start investing in cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions, in addition to new methodologies and programs that can help retain and attract their top workers.

Partnering with a trusted infrastructure solutions partner like Antoun can significantly reduce construction time and help save on labor costs using the E6 Methodology and innovation of Rapid Set concrete.

Get in touch with Antoun today to find out more about partnering with us for your next project.

The Rapid Solution to Airport Runway Maintenance Through COVID-19

Sample HubSpot User — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 21:40:31 GMT

COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on the Australian Airport Industry. Globally, flight restrictions and cancellations have decreased aircraft movements at airports, drastically reducing revenue for both airports and airlines. Today, many airports are battling to manage operational and maintenance costs with reduced budgets to maintain airport infrastructure.

In January 2020, many airports continued on an upward trajectory of growth, leading to a real buoyancy about the future. However, COVID-19 staggered the industry with a 90-95% loss in revenue after ceasing operations due to cancelled flights and closed borders. Many airports enacted crisis management teams, which were there to manage the financial and operational aspects of the business trying to find efficiency and restrict losses. There was much uncertainty around March to May on how long the period of peril would last. Most airports expected a rebound in aircraft movements within six months. However, Melbourne’s second wave, which hit in June, further prolonged the recovery driving airports into further uncertainty as to when the situation would return to normal.

With so many airports looking for ways to bounce back, we’ll explore the top challenges faced by Australian airports today and how Antoun’s recommendations can ensure travel safety for passengers in a cost-effective way to remain within the airport’s reduced budgets.

The Challenges

In a report, the Australian Airports Association (AAA) estimated that “in March 2020, Australia’s major airports would lose more than $500 million in aeronautical revenue alone, compared to 2019.” The report notes that the actual cost will depend on how long travel restrictions remain intact and the time it takes to recover. AAA calls on their airport partners to work together so they stay open to recovery.

Preserving Cash Reserves

After a massive decrease in airport traffic due to the pandemic, most airport shareholders have explored what the future holds. This has led to airport management teams reviewing and restructuring their budgets, resulting in layoffs, renegotiations in service contracts, and postponing planned investments. All in the hope to minimise the impact on their finances.

Airports around Australia are now struggling with budget constraints, so the current focus is around preserving cash reserves by better assessing how maintenance of infrastructure is undertaken and more stringent criteria for selecting the right repair.

According to Luc Ramalinga, Head of Airports and Maritime at Antoun, who has worked in aviation for the last 15 years and has managed one of the busiest airfields in the country, the last 9 months for the airport industry has been about preservation and survival to ensure service continues until everything goes back to normal.

He says, “In general, across the industry we have noted a reduction in the amount of spend both on capital expenditure and pavement maintenance. A main focus for airports now is preserving their cash reserves, aligning service levels with the number of passengers that are still allowed to fly at airports whilst maintaining a safe and compliant facility.”

Critical Runway Maintenance

Maintaining surface integrity through regular inspections and pavement maintenance plays a big part in airport runway safety. But with tighter airport budgets, most airports are scaling back and pushing back on repairs and replacement activities that are considered non critical to safe operations. With the lack of international flights available and closed borders, airports are rethinking construction budgets that were previously worth billions of dollars nationally.

Given the current COVID pandemic crisis, one can understand airports current approaches to managing their facilities is pavement maintenance. However, it is recommended to be completed periodically to prevent ongoing pavement failures and pavement distress from requiring larger repairs and therefore more money to keep the area serviceable. Even with tighter budgets, airports can look at alternative solutions to manage their pavements that will keep them serviceable and minimise the downtime of these critical assets.

Keeping Up Safety with Budget Restraints

Many airports are facing challenges to best manage their infrastructure maintenance due to the loss of revenue. Replacement projects have been downgraded or postponed to allow the airport revenue to recover before proceeding. These risk based decisions are critical for the ongoing operation of the airport. With these decisions comes the potential of increased risk of failure to critical assets.

Luc Ramalinga notes that managers responsible for critical airfield infrastructure are having to find new ways of maintaining their assets with less budget.

Luc points out that the average design life for a typical concrete pavement is 40 years. However, some airports have aircraft concrete pavement that is already a decade over the time for renewal. These continue to be maintained in a reactive maintenance schedule to mitigate safety and compliance risks.

A common approach to managing critical infrastructure that has significant operational impact during downtime is to prolong the asset’s life. This is done through smaller maintenance activities that have a diminishing return on investment as time goes on. This is due to the inherent degradation of the foundation pavement. Safety risks for aging pavement are a real factor, if not maintained correctly. This may lead to failures that cause foregin object debris (FOD) that has the potential to be ingested by an aircraft engine during aircraft operations.

The challenge for airports today is striking the right balance in managing their infrastructure to match the current financial constraints versus investing in the replacement of critical long term assets. Not one strategy is correct and is very much dependent on the airport’s size and strategic goals. What is clear is an ongoing prolongation of deferral of maintenance projects has a compounding impact on cost and operational disruption for those repairs in the future.

Changing the Strategy for Airport Infrastructure Rethinking Rethinking The Methodology Of Maintenance: Condition-Based Replacement

Luc Ramalinga says, the most critical issue and important objective for any airport is to keep runways safe and serviceable. With this challenge however, comes a great opportunity for airports to change their approach to asset maintenance and how to introduce efficiency in their capital investment formulation.

Given the strain COVID-19 has put on revenue, we need to rethink the methodology of how airport assets are maintained. Traditionally, airlines fund around 95% – 100% of the maintenance and repairs of their aeronautical assets. Capital investment decisions have sought to complete bulk replacements of critical assets like aircraft taxiways that have been rated as being in poor condition even though there would be a percentage of slabs that would be still in a serviceable condition.

With airports now focusing on saving every dollar, a condition-based replacement can be a suitable alternative. This means focusing only on the area that requires replacing or repairing. For example, if an area of slabs in a section needs 70% replacement, repairs can be focused on that 70%, without replacing the rest of the 30%.

Working smart and intelligently, Antoun’s rapid set concrete can be used in one night, replace one slab, and then go right back out again. Antoun can provide flexibility and partner with airports in any coming year, depending on how much traffic comes back to the airport and work with whatever maintenance and repair budget is available.

Antoun: Leading the Change in Airport Maintenance Strategy

Amidst reduced budget challenges many airports face today because of COVID-19, air travel remains crucial to global trade. Airports must find ways to ensure the safety and maintenance of their runways so passengers continue to travel safely.

Pivoting their strategy and working with the right infrastructure partner like Antoun, who can offer a host of flexible repair and maintenance solutions that meets their needs, can help them move safely forward.

As experts in mission-critical infrastructure project delivery, Antoun employs the E6 methodology using a strategic combination of technical expertise, innovation, and experience that’s been proven to deliver top-notch results throughout even the largest mission-critical projects. With Antoun, you get the results you’re expecting on budget and on time – with no surprises.

Antoun is agile and can offer clients better flexibility for capital work, focusing on critical areas that need repair while ensuring uninterrupted operations. Antoun works closely with clients to identify the real need and then find the right solution that matches their revenue profile, adapts to the airport’s growth, and partners with them closely as they come back stronger, better, and ready to serve their customers.

Trust only the experts for your next infrastructure project. Get in touch with Antoun today.

Durability Insights – Carbonation of BCSA Concrete

Sample HubSpot User — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 21:40:00 GMT

Carbonation is an important durability parameter to be considered in the design of reinforced concrete. While carbonation is not, per se, detrimental to concrete, it may lead to the corrosion of steel reinforcement and subsequent failure of the member. Atmospheric CO₂ dissolves in water to create carbonic acid, and slowly seeps through pores in the concrete surface. The acid neutralizes the passivating layer of alkaline cement hydrates that protect the steel from environmental deterioration, which leads to cracking and eventually failure^[1].

The rate of carbonation depends on several factors, such as cement type and quantity, water to cement ratio, effective curing, and quality of workmanship. This raises the question: Do BCSA cements exhibit similar carbonation resistance to Portland cements? A good question indeed, as the two cements have different primary hydration products. Fortunately, there is a relatively simple procedure for determining the degree of carbonation in a concrete section. The “Depth of Carbonation” test involves taking a core, splitting it in half, and then spraying the newly exposed surfaces with a phenolphthalein pH indicator. All concrete unaffected by carbonation will turn bright purple.

As part of Antoun’s E6^TM Methodology and commitment to quality and innovation, carbonation was tested on cores from Runway 16R of Sydney Airport installed in 2016. The test, completed in accordance with RILEM CPC 18^[2], found that after 3 years of in-situ exposure, the depth of carbonation was 10 mm. Depth of carbonation is proportional to the square root of time, such that:

What this means is that the rate of carbonation becomes progressively slower with time, and theoretically, the depth of carbonation will be only 37 mm at 40 years, and 58 mm at 100 years. For perspective, road pavements with a 40-year design life typically have a minimum cover of 50 mm.

If you read An Introduction to Concrete Durability, then you will know about the impermeable matrix produced by BCSA cement. Like the use of Fly Ash or Slag, the improved cement matrix allows only a slow ingress of CO₂^[3], and more than off-sets the slight reduction in pH of the pore water in terms of whole-of-life durability. However, an interesting differentiator is the rate of strength gain between BCSA and Portland-pozzolan blends: while strict curing for the first 3 days is essential for high-SCM concrete mixes to develop the hydration products necessary for carbonation resistance, the accelerated hydration curve of BCSA means that 7-day strength is achieved in around 3 hours. In fact, the literature supports the idea that concrete strength on initial exposure is able serve as the basis for predicting carbonation without the need to account for method and duration of curing ^[4].

References

^[1]Neville, A.M. (2011). ‘Properties of Concrete 5^th edition’, Essex: Pearson Education Limited

^[2]RILEM TC 56-MHM (1988), ‘CPC-18 Measurement of hardened concrete carbonation depth’, Materials and Structures, vol. 21, no. 126, pp. 453 – 455, RILEM Publications SARL

^[3]Allevi, S., Borgschulte, A., Hargis, C.W., Kaufmann, J., Lothenbach, B., Marchi, M.I., Steiner, S. & Winnefeld, F. 2018, ‘Further Insights In The Carbonation Resistance of Calcium Sulfoaluminate Mortars’, International Workshop on Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cements, Murten, Switzerland

^[4]Ekolu, S. 2016, ‘A review on effects of curing, sheltering, and CO2 concentration upon natural carbonation of concrete’, Construction and Building Materials, vol 127, pp.306-320.

An Introduction to Concrete Durability

Sample HubSpot User — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 21:39:30 GMT

Every concrete structure must be designed to allow for its continued function across its expected or specified design life. As such, it follows that the concrete itself should be able to weather the processes of deterioration that are to come. Concrete that does so is said to be durable. It should be clarified that durability is distinct from strength and the physical impacts of loading on the longevity of the structure. However, they are equally important and act synergistically with one another i.e. one will accelerate the other.

Poor durability can be brought on by either external factors, or internally from the concrete itself. External factors typically manifest themselves in the form of chemical attack from aggressive agents such as chlorides, sulfates, and carbon dioxide. Internally, the presence of these, as well as some known phenomena like alkali-aggregate reaction and delayed ettringite formation have the potential to cause premature deterioration. Each of these has their own characteristics and mechanisms of action, however a common factor amongst the lot is the adverse influence of water penetrability (also referred to as permeability). The transport of water through concrete, or rather the lack there-of, is the defining measure in concrete quality.

When concrete is placed, excess water is pushed to the surface (bleeding) which leaves behinds porous channels which increase the permeability. In Rapid Set BCSA concrete, the unique chemistry of the cement causes all the mix water to be used up rapidly, meaning no bleed water rises to the surface and no pores are left behind. This is instrumental in its excellent durability. One of the most widely used methods of testing permeability is DIN 1048.5, invented by the German Institute for Standardisation. The procedure involves blasting a concrete cylinder with high-pressure (500 kPa) water for 72 hours straight, and then measuring how far it penetrates the concrete. When tested, Rapid Set BCSA had nil water ingress amongst all samples, demonstrating the high level of impermeability.

There are other modes of penetration than by direct pressure – one being diffusion. Harmful chloride and sulfate ions travel through concrete by diffusion in the pore water. Transport for NSW require diffusion testing for concrete bridges in aggressive environments, such as near sea water where chlorides are abundant. Rapid Set BCSA was tested according to NordTest Build 492 – one the procedures outlined in B80 (TfNSW bridge specification), and the results were shown to be conforming for even the most aggressive exposure classes.

Get in touch with Antoun about your next project today and discover the difference innovative concrete products can make in the quality of your work.

Main Types of Concrete Failure & The Rapid Set Solution

Sample HubSpot User — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 21:38:19 GMT

Using traditional concrete products leaves projects open to a myriad of potential failures. Due to this possibility, there is a higher ongoing cost over time for both maintenance and repairs. Avoiding these failures altogether can be accomplished by using innovative and high-quality products including Rapid Set concrete, also known as belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement.

What Is Rapid Set Concrete?

Rapid Set concrete offers several characteristics that provide superior performance. It’s a durable, fast-curing, and strong product that sets in as little as 15 minutes. It can also be retarded for as long as 45 minutes, if the project needs more working time.

Rapid Set concrete also demonstrates high early strengths according to laboratory trials: 20 MPs at one hour, 35 MPs at three hours, and 55 MPa at 24 hours.

It’s worth noting that Rapid Set concrete is not the same product sold in most hardware stores, as they do not contain the belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) chemical compound. For this reason, most concrete you find in-store does not have the strength and durability properties that BCSA possesses.

Types of Concrete Failures

Why does using traditional concrete set projects up to potential failure? We’ve outlined the common types of concrete failures below, while highlighting how Rapid Set concrete addresses these issues.

Shrinkage

Shrinkage is caused by mix water evaporation that prompts changes in volume as the cement hydrates. Known as autogenous shrinkage, it’s a characteristic that is important to everyone. As a matter of fact, every concrete specification includes a certain shrinkage limit.

Putting joints in concrete is a method that helps control the cracks that can occur due to the internal tension caused by shrinkage. Depending on the workmanship involved, shrinkage can be a large or minimal issue. Other problems within the project can also cause shrinkage as a carry-over consequence.

Rapid Set concrete reduces the issue of shrinkage because it’s designed to shrink three to four times less than Portland concrete. Another characteristic of Rapid Set concrete is that its quick strength gain enables the material to resist shrinkage on a synergistic level. Therefore, using Rapid Set concrete could potentially reduce a project’s dependence on joints.

Curling and Warping

Curling and warping are inherent properties of concrete, so this type of failure will also occur. The possibility of it becoming an issue is dependent on the application. For example, curling and warping can be a problem when it happens to road slabs. However, this may be of little importance when it comes to developing footpaths.

The heating and cooling of concrete causes curling and warping. While putting joints in concrete is a common way of controlling this issue, the curled edges may suffer from cracks and other joint issues when traffic moves over them.

Typically, the slab must be completely replaced or rehabbed at the least. The use of the road, as well as the costs involved, make this issue especially problematic.

On the other hand, Rapid Set concrete has been extensively tested in an elaborate field trial alongside Professor Vute Sirivivatnanon from the University of Technology Sydney. The results revealed that BSCA concrete performs on par with other high-quality Portland concrete.

Dusting

Dusting is another type of concrete failure that is caused by a weakened concrete surface. This is typically the result of either bleed water that is worked back into the concrete or inadequate curing. When bleed water remains for longer periods of time, such as in colder climates, dusting can be a common issue.

When dusting occurs, surfaces will need to be replaced or repaired with a hardening product, which helps address the reduced resistance to impact and abrasion this issue brings. Using Rapid Set concrete, however, indirectly reduces the chances of dusting occurring because it doesn’t bleed.

Plastic Cracking

The changing weather is the primary cause of plastic cracking, which is why careful planning prior to pouring concrete is a must. In most cases, mild cracks are usually only a cosmetic issue.

Deeper cracks, however, could reduce the durability of the concrete and lead to the penetration of chlorides and other issues more quickly. Because Rapid Set concrete remains plastic for only a short amount of time, it is less likely to lose moisture.

Longitudinal Cracking

This type of cracking happens across a paving run’s length. It does so because drying shrinkage leads to internal tension.

Joints are often put into place in an effort to reduce this issue. It can be, however, difficult to identify the right time to saw the joints.

Because longitudinal cracking ranges from moderate to severe, it often compromises the integrity and longevity of concrete. And because Rapid Set hardens fast and helps reduce shrinkage stresses, it works better when used in conjunction with joints.

Curing and Timings

Curing and timing is extremely important when it comes to ensuring maximum concrete strength. When concrete is traveled over or when bolts are inserted too early while the concrete doesn’t yet have the structural strength required, the integrity of the project could be an issue.

With traditional concrete, the typical curing timeline ranges from three to seven days. Because of this curing timeline, Portland concrete is often not usable for a minimum of seven days.

Rapid Set, on the other hand, delivers an accelerated hydration curve that makes water curing unnecessary. Once Rapid Set has been placed, it is usable in as quick as 2 hours.

While traditional Portland concrete has a maximum holding time before it becomes unusable, this is not true of Rapid Set. Once the truck arrives, it can pour the concrete at any time while still retaining its usability.

Antoun: The Rapid Set Solution for Concrete Failures

Reduce the likelihood of experiencing the same concrete failures in your mission-critical projects by using Rapid Set concrete instead. If you’re eager to ensure the success of your construction projects while making sure the best quality of work is done the first time, Rapid Set concrete from Antoun gets you a high-performing, fast-setting structural repair material that’s suitable for use in general and structural concrete repair.

Get in touch with Antoun about your next project today and discover the difference innovative concrete products can make in the quality of your work.

The New Norm: Survival of Infrastructure

Sample HubSpot User — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 21:37:42 GMT

There aren’t many industries that haven’t been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Infrastructure projects in Australia have certainly been affected, with a new Infrastructure Partnerships Australia report noting a “slimmed down” pipeline of projects. According to the analysis, the value of major projects approved in the first eight months of the year dropped to $6.7 billion from $27.1 billion over the same period in 2019. And the impact of COVID-19 on infrastructure could be felt for years to come.

Not long ago, conversations about infrastructure in Australia focused on Australia’s projected population growth. Today, some analysts are busily revising their predictions.

It’s clear that there is nothing normal about the new normal of infrastructure. However, with new circumstances come new opportunities, which is why we need to rethink infrastructure in Australia in order to thrive in a COVID-19 climate and deliver solutions that benefit the community.

Everything has changed — for now

Over the last eight months, so much of what we took for granted has been turned on its head. The ways in which we communicate, conduct business, entertain and socialise have all changed in response to COVID-19. People are working from home, students have been learning remotely, concerts and events are on hold, travel has been impacted and more people are turning to e-commerce in all its forms.

With international travel off the agenda for the moment, airlines have grounded planes and stood down staff, while airports around Australia are experiencing sharp declines in revenue. The suggestion of a trans-Tasman travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand offered a glimmer of hope for the aviation industry, but recent COVID-19 outbreaks in Melbourne and Auckland have complicated those plans.

Taken together, these changes have had a considerable impact on infrastructure in Australia. Any reduction in people flows suggests less of a need for the big ticket infrastructure projects that keep people moving, such as airports, roads and train lines. Some commentators, including Marion Terrill who heads up the transport and cities program at the Grattan Institute, are recommending that NSW rethink some $40 billion worth of city-shaping mega projects scheduled to commence over the next few years. A recent Sydney Morning Herald article cites research which states that alternative infrastructure projects spread across the state, as well as targeted upgrades to existing infrastructure, could do more to boost productivity and welfare than some mega projects.

Our recent behaviour changes, combined with the economic impacts of the pandemic, have put considerable pressure on governments and infrastructure owners to rethink the direction of infrastructure Down Under.

Where to now? Rethinking infrastructure in Australia

Clearly, the changes to the ways we live and work will have significant implications for our industry. For one thing, securing the money to fund some infrastructure projects could be a challenge in the short term. So far, state and federal governments have been preoccupied with keeping the pandemic under control and the economy ticking along, both of which have required massive injections of government stimulus into the economy. What’s more, some major infrastructure players have seen significant dips in revenue in response to our new commuting habits.

For example, the toll road giant Transurban saw its share price drop by a third between February and March, and traffic on its roads dip 50 percent in April. By June, traffic was back to 90 percent of 2019 levels according to the company, but as we’ve seen over the course of the pandemic, no one knows exactly what’s around the corner.

However, it is important to remember that funding infrastructure projects in Australia has never been easy. What matters now is ensuring that governments, financial institutions and project owners come together to consider how things have changed and the impact of COVID-19 on infrastructure.

Let’s look at work. Roy Morgan research from June revealed that 4.3 million Australians, or 32% of the workforce, have been working from home throughout the pandemic. Many expect the trend to continue. Professor John Buchanan, the head of business analytics at the Sydney Business School, told the ABC in August that there are strong incentives for businesses to keep workers at home. “Employers are looking to cut costs,” he said. If this continues, it’s likely that office buildings could become ‘hubs’ that workers visit occasionally rather than every day.

Education is another area that has been hit hard by the pandemic. With fees from international students accounting for much of the sector’s revenues, universities around the country are facing uncertain times and some are putting infrastructure projects on hold. With tertiary sector infrastructure projects worth $1.47 billion in 2017, the slowdown in that area will be felt for some time.

Are we looking to survive or thrive?

With so much uncertainty in the air at the moment, it’s time for the industry to take stock, consider the new normal of infrastructure, and plan a way forward that works for the industry and for the community. Any sensible plan will likely involve the re-prioritisation of certain projects in the short-to-medium term while simultaneously ensuring that we stay focused on those bigger, city-shaping infrastructure projects.

The NSW government, for one, is on board with this kind of approach to the future of infrastructure. In June, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet acknowledged that, “There’s now a new normal and we need to be agile and recalibrate our thinking to make sure the NSW economy is in the best position going through, and coming out of the pandemic.” Part of that involves fast tracking “shovel-ready” projects. At Antoun, we also see an opportunity to tackle the maintenance backlog currently affecting some of the country’s major infrastructure assets.

The infrastructure maintenance backlog in Australia is currently affecting everything from energy to transport and water. By re-calibrating and focusing on those infrastructure assets that are suffering under the strains imposed by age, population growth and climate change, we can maintain the viability of some of our most critical infrastructure, promote economic growth and keep the community safe.

How Antoun can help

As a capable and experienced operator, Antoun is well positioned to help infrastructure owners maintain their assets and adapt to the new normal of infrastructure. Just last year, we completed the concrete slab replacement at Melbourne International Airport, a world first in terms of scale and complexity, and a project that benefited from our cost and time-efficient E6 Methodology.

We offer a range of products to help manage costs and increase the longevity of infrastructure.

FastPatch Products

Our FastPatch products are particularly attractive when budgets are tight. FastPatch is a flexible polymer repair system that bonds quickly to a variety of surfaces, reducing your return-to-service time while increasing service life.

BCSA ‘Rapid Set’ cement

Belitic Calcium Sulfoaluminate (BSCA) cement has been used on major road, airport and other civil construction projects for many years. Antoun’s BSCA cement sets quickly and exhibits minimal shrinkage.

While the future of infrastructure in Australia remains to be seen, at Antoun we believe that a sensible consensus is emerging. With targeted investment in new infrastructure projects, a concerted effort to address the maintenance backlog currently affecting some of our most highly utilised infrastructure, and a focus on the existing pipeline of major projects, we will be able to weather the COVID-19 storm and improve infrastructure in Australia for generations to come.

If you need a trusted partner on your next infrastructure project, get in touch with Antoun today.

AAA Virtual National Conference – Takeaways

Sample HubSpot User — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 21:37:14 GMT

Conference Day One

2020 will be remembered as one of the most challenging years that the Australian aviation sector has ever faced, and this year’s Australian Airports Association (AAA) Annual Conference, unfortunately, fell victim to the global COVID 19 pandemic. While it is always an exciting time of year for airport professionals around the country who make the trek for a week of sharing ideas, networking, and catching up with old friends, this year’s virtual conference is a testament to the resilience of our industry to continue to push forward and adapt in challenging times.

We were pleased to attend the first of three virtual conferences held by the AAA. The event, opened by the newly appointed AAA Chairman Tom Ganley and CEO James Goodwin, set the tone for what was a great presentation from Joseph Butler – Regional Solutions Director (Aviation) from Jacobs.

The title of the presentation at this first conference was “Future of Aviation; Solutions to shape a brave new world”. This presentation was a timely reminder that the impacts of COVID-19 have not only left a lasting change on how airports will operate but also presented ideas of how airports can reimagine their operating models to meet the demand of the new ‘traveller’ in a post-pandemic world. Health protocols are becoming more of a non-negotiable when considered in the new airport operational setting and with this comes both opportunities and challenges.

Valuable insight was provided by Ibrahim Ibrahim, Managing Director of Portland Design, who discussed the changing landscape of the airport retail experience. The disruption of the global pandemic offers a great opportunity for a reset in the retail strategies for airports. He explored how with a change of cultural norms, including everyday use of social media, there needs to be a shift from the traditional bricks and mortar approach to retail offering with a focus on connecting consumers with brands through flexible, interactive spaces.

The presentation was a reminder of the role “big data” will continue to play in airport operations with its focus on enhancing the experience and of the ‘traveller.’ While the pandemic will no doubt stunt the momentum of big data for most airports as they focus on the recovery of revenue streams, there is no doubt airports need to continue to invest in emerging technologies that complement data-driven decision making which will shape the airports of the future.

– Luc Ramalinga (Head of Airports and Maritime)

Tackling the Infrastructure Backlog in Australia

Sample HubSpot User — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 21:36:02 GMT

From roads to bridges to recreational areas, it will cost around $30 billion to improve infrastructure in Australia. This lofty figure was first announced in 2018 based on the relative degradation of the country’s assets. Unfortunately, there has been little progress made so far.

The infrastructure backlog in Australia is defined as the cost of renewal projects deemed necessary to bring infrastructure up to an acceptable standard. This standard is typically determined by the Council or other relevant entity.

These critical areas are of immense importance to public safety and Australians’ quality of life, but they continue to face neglect due to a variety of hurdles — and this was before COVID-19. See what’s standing in the way today, what still needs to be done, and how Antoun fits in.

Australian Infrastructure Challenges

The reasons behind the infrastructure backlog are complex, but there have been several notable trends. A primary reason is because the infrastructure of yesterday was never built to handle the population of today. In the mid-1990s, there was also a push to cut funding for improvements and expansion, all while the costs to improve those structures have risen.

A lack of proper data and reporting across sectors has made it difficult to identify and target the structures that need preventative maintenance. Part of this is simply a logistical challenge: improving a single bridge in poor condition not only requires serious capital, but it’s also a major time investment. Multiply this across the country to civil construction of every variety, and the equation becomes much more difficult to work.

And while we debate these problems, life continues to move forward. Total kilometres traveled has increased by about 2% every year from 1998 to 2018. Weather events, such as extreme heat, wind, and flooding as a result of climate change, are also taking its toll on existing infrastructures and pushing the need for renewal.

Finally, COVID-19 is expected to have a negative impact on the infrastructure building market. Not only will social distancing rules make it more time-consuming to accomplish the necessary updates, but the demand for these resources is expected to diminish due to decreased traffic flow.

What Needs to Be Done

There’s a lack of funding to kickstart these projects, particularly with the state governments. Given the impact of policy directives and budget constraints, this means that infrastructure in capital cities and regional areas need to be supported by the private sector. This has been acknowledged by every level of government, and it applies to both the economic and social infrastructure backlog.

This means prioritising an environment where risks can be managed, frameworks can be established, and professionals can work together for the greater good.

There also needs to be more community involvement to inspire urgency within neighborhoods. After all, a crumbling bridge is a safety hazard- one that deserves attention. We need to put maintenance at the forefront of our agendas — it’s at least as important as additional infrastructure (if not more important).

Finally, educating people on the acceptable standards for infrastructure can help everyone understand that this is a public issue that affects us all. The State of the Assets Report in late 2018 by the Australian Local Government Association showed that the cost of infrastructure maintenance will exceed $30B. But this cost has likely grown since then to meet productivity and safety requirements, and they will undoubtedly continue to grow. Maintaining our country’s infrastructure must not be viewed as of secondary importance, as it will be well worth the cost.

Risks of Leaving the Backlog Unaddressed

Even though infrastructure maintenance spending has increased since 2005, the proportion of infrastructure in poor condition has not diminished. As time passes, more civil engineering structures will continue to succumb to the passage time, even as more improvements are made.

If the backlog continues to be ignored or pushed aside, the biggest risk is the safety of everyday citizens. At the very least, Australian infrastructure projects to keep up with the growing number of people. In 2017, the Australian population grew by 1.6%, and future projections continue to show upward trends.

There’s also an impact on the quality of life. A backed-up sewage system is not only dangerous, it also an inconvenience. An unaddressed backlog can lead to everything from a loss of productivity to unnecessary accidents.

Where Antoun Steps In

Antoun is the leader in mission-critical infrastructure solutions for one reason: we make your schedule and budget our biggest priorities. We support infrastructure owners and operators to increase the lifespan of critical infrastructure by offering innovative maintenance solutions that help address four key infrastructure problems:

Saving time

Our approach to infrastructure maintenance re-defines the possible timelines for completion of projects. We’ve achieved a 100% on-time and on-budget record for expedient pavement projects to the delight of our many clients.

We’ve created a 6-step concrete delivery process, known as our E6 methodology. By minimizing disruption and maximizing efficiency, our methodology makes it possible to restore and maintain infrastructure without closing operations for extended periods of time.

Proactively addressing changing usage requirements

Our technologies stand between infrastructure deterioration and the repercussions of decades of the de-prioritisation of ongoing maintenance.

Utilising New Technology

What has worked in the past is no longer the best way to tackle an issue, and new solutions, like Antoun’s innovation in the area of rapid set concrete exists to complete projects in ways that are stronger, faster and cheaper than ever before.

Modernising Civil engineering

Despite the changing nature of infrastructure, the solutions offered by regular civil engineering are not currently keeping up with the requirement of clients, or the need of the infrastructure itself.

Taking Charge

We understand that infrastructure maintenance is a huge commitment. However, maintenance also makes it possible to use our roads, bridges, parks, and sewage systems the way they were meant to be used. There is no short-cut here.

From infrastructure in Sydney and beyond, we’ve worked hard to be a partner you can trust. Get in touch with Antoun today if you’re interested in learning more about how we can help.