Belhar | Cobute beams at Erica Square Shopping Centre

Cobute's latest commercial project is in Belhar, Cape Town, where Gorrie & Findlay have been appointed for the realisation of a new shopping centre, Erica Square. Designed by Gordon Hart Architects, the 5,500m²  mall will have Spar as the anchor tenant, alongside a large number of national retailers. 

Before and after. Site view. Image by David Harris.

Gorrie & Findlay have chosen the Cobute R.C precast shutters for beams as stiffener to brickwork and over shopfront openings for a total of  592 linear metres. The Cobute slab was also selected over ATMs and Banking hall in the centre, with Consulting Engineer Ugo Rivera designing both the Cobute precast elements.

Laboratory tests conducted by the Department of Civil Engineering at UCT on behalf of Cobute have shown that beams constructed using the Cobute precast system have a higher bending moment capacity (approximately 10%) and practically the same shear strength capacity, compared to conventionally cast beams. The UCT Report can be downloaded here.

Cobute precast beam installation. Picture by David Harris

Project close to completion. Image by David Harris

The beams need minimal shuttering, therefore not requiring excessive use of timber and carpentry work. Increased structural advantages with decreased installation time.  In 2016, Gorrie & Findlay used the Cobute beams and slab for the construction of the KFC and Shoprite Centre in Mandalay. 

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