South Africa's ageing agricultural and industrial grain silos,

South Africa's ageing agricultural and industrial grain silos, many built in the 1970s and 80s, are grappling with severe infrastructure challenges.

Calcification, rebar corrosion, and groundwater issues continuously weaken these concrete structures. To protect the agricultural supply chain and prevent catastrophic failures, operators are increasingly relying on targeted rehabilitation.

Maintaining these vital assets requires a deep understanding of structural and environmental issues, as well as the specialized maintenance needed to keep the country's grain supply safe.

Root Causes of Deterioration
▶Calcification & Cracking: Over time, carbonation and temperature fluctuations weaken concrete, exposing the underlying steel to rust. The expanding rust causes spalling (concrete flaking) and threatens structural integrity. 
▶Groundwater Ingress: Deteriorated underground drainage systems and compromised waterproofing lead to moisture building up at the base of bins. 
▶Pest and Fumigation Failure: As cracks widen, they allow pests and moisture to enter. This makes gas fumigation ineffective, severely threatening grain quality.

To extend the lifecycle of these 40-plus-year-old structures, specialized companies employ highly engineered interventions: 
↪External Post-Tensioning: Wraps specialized UV-protected cables around the silo to restore circumferential strength and prevent wall bursting.
↪Crack Injection & Concrete Patching/Cementitious Repair Compound installation: Pressure-injects structural epoxies to seal cracks and restores structural continuity.
↪Waterproofing and Coatings: Applying specialized membranes to roofs and acid-resistant coatings to exterior walls keeps moisture out. 

Asset Management Strategies : ↩
👉Drone-Based Diagnostics: Specialists use drones for rapid, non-destructive visual and thermal inspection of silo roofs and walls.
👉Routine Maintenance: Daily checks of ventilation and monthly inspections for new cracks are vital to catch structural failures early.
👉Regulatory Compliance: Routine inspections are mandated by Section 11.2 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to avoid collapses.

So where does Polymer Coatings Group fit in with this remediation?
We manufacture & distribute our range of systems, engineered and specified for each remediation project. These systems are then supplied to remediation specialists companies for installation.

We furthermore also assist Asset Managers, in setting up a detailed/planned maintenance schedule & inspections to ensure the longevity of the asset through dedicated management buy-in & implimentation.

To find out more about the relevant product systems, contact us directly on Whatsapp at : 
https://lnkd.in/e3UXE7kw, 
or telephonically at : +27 83 722 5843 

Polymer Coatings Group 
"Specified systems / Proven performance"

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