It is not surprising that stainless steel was used at the Moses Mobhida Soccer Stadium & the King Shaka International Airport, as it is the most cost effective material of construction, when evaluating long term investments of this nature.
When it comes to critical applications, maintenance costs and aesthetic appeal, the construction industry including architects, quantity surveyors, and consulting engineers agree that if you want value for money and an environmentally sustainable product, then the vast range of stainless steels available offer the most cost effective solutions.
Initial cost sometimes complicates the issue, as stainless steel may initially appear more expensive than other materials of construction. However, once life-cycle costing is applied, the full implications of total cost in undertaking ongoing maintenance and replacement and lost revenue; clearly proves that stainless steel to be the practical choice.
This initial cost can in certain instances be even lower than that of mild steel, galvanised or painted, by the correct selection of the range of stainless steels available and offering the required corrosion resistance with the added advantage of low maintenance.
Specifiers are not always familiar with the wide range of mechanical properties available in the different stainless steels. Upfront savings can be made by using the correct grade of stainless steel where the mechanical properties allow the use of thinner gauges and in some instances a reduction in the thickness by 50%, while still having the required corrosion resistance.
Bear in mind that galvanising and paint coatings are just that, they are a coatings; that when damaged allows the underlying metal to corrode as if it had never been protected. Stainless steel is stainless steel all the way through and does not rely on coatings for its corrosion protection.
Take for instance the 2000 Millennium Bridge at Gateway, Umhlanga Rocks, that was built from grade 3CR12 stainless steel and painted white for aesthetic reasons, has not required any attention over the past 11 years whilst the tubular handrailing adjacent to the bridge and supplied in mild steel, galvanized with a two-coat paint coating, has had to be painted three times!
Moses Mobhida Soccer Stadium
This is without doubt one of the most eye catching stadiums in the world, and whilst more stainless steel should have been applied, it was recognised as the preferred material of construction for critical applications.
By using the new duplex family of stainless steels, and using their excellent mechanical and corrosion properties, a cost effective solution to ensuring the safety and long life of vital components, was found.
King Shaka International Airport Durban
Far more stainless steel was used at the prestigious state of the art King Shaka International Airport, which will be serving the KZN area for many years to come. The airport is situated approximately four kilometers from the KZN coastline which, with its high temperatures, onshore winds and high humidity is one of the top five most corrosive areas in the world.
The balustrading was mainly supplied in grade AISI 444 stainless steel which allowed the designers to take advantage of the mechanical and corrosive properties and supply a very cost effective and money saving alternative to Grade AISI 316.
Many other applications such as counters, bump rails, light fittings , architectural canopies, signage, stairways, flooring, etc were supplied in stainless steel and will prove to be the correct solution due to minimal maintenance, practicality, and its aesthetic appeal especially in high traffic areas.
For more information on the use and cost effectiveness of stainless steel in the construction industry please contact Sassda (http://www.sassda.co.za)