Concord Namibia plays key role in Neckartal Dam project
 | Concord Namibia plays key role in Neckartal Dam project_approved | 37.5 KB | Download |
 Preview | Concord Namibia played a key role in the successful completion of the Neckartal Dam project in Namibia. | 3.87 MB | Download |
 Preview | Concord Namibia supplied a 220 t and a 550 t crane to assist Italian contractor Salini Impregilo. | 7.9 MB | Download |
 Preview | Neckartal is a curved gravity dam on the Fish River near Berseba. | 8.31 MB | Download |
This curved gravity dam on the Fish River near Berseba, about 40 km north-west of Keetmanshoop, began construction in 2013, and was finally completed in October 2018. It has almost three times the capacity of the Hardap Dam near Mariental in the Hardap region. The Neckartal Dam is expected to supply a 5 000 ha irrigation scheme in the region.
The 220 t mobile crane was supplied by Concord Namibia after having travelled all the way from Saldanha, explains CEO Francois Smith. The crane’s main function was to install trash racks and roof beams for the inlet tower facing the water side of the dam. Water enters the inlet tower through the dam wall into the turbine room, where it generates hydroelectricity.
The trash racks are essentially giant filters placed in front of the water inlets to prevent any debris from entering the system. These had to be installed by the crane that was perched on top of the dam wall. The trash racks eventually stacked up to 60 m in height.
While still inside the partially-completed inlet tower, complex rigging and lifting was required to position the 22 t concrete roof beams for the tower. With the final four beams directly on top of the crane, the crane had to be re-positioned outside the tower, on a narrow dam wall, and the beams lifted up and over the tower walls in order to place the remaining four beams.
Several computerised rigging studies were carried out to ensure a safe and successful lift of every beam. The 220 t crane was then relocated to the river or ‘dry’ side of the dam, where it was used to dismantle two tower cranes that had been deployed over the four-year construction period.
In addition, a 550 t crane was transported from Rustenburg to Keetmanshoop specifically for this project. This crane was used to dismantle an 8-m-high tower crane, and re-erect it on top of the dam wall. The 550 t crane was also responsible for dismantling the conveyor-belt systems supplying concrete from the batching plant to the dam wall.
These systems were installed by means of two big cranes operating in tandem so as to share the load. “However, we opted to supply one big crane to carry out the dismantling, based on the computerised rigging studies that simulated the lift. The study was submitted to Salini Impregilo engineers and their safety department. The single-crane solution was cost-effective, with a significant cost-saving for the client,” Smith comments.
In conjunction with providing a successful lifting solution, intensive planning had to be carried out in order to overcome the logistical challenges on-site. Construction roads and steep inclines can prove difficult for moving equipment around, and vehicles 20 m in length. “This is why we proposed a multi-axle crane with the ability to steer and negotiate tight corners with ease,” Smith reveals.
In order to protect the gravel road and the crane, a bulldozer was positioned in front of the 96 t crane to assist in removing the crane from the riverbed. This provided extra pulling power, and ensured a safe exit, with no damage to equipment, roads, or infrastructure.
A challenge that was always looming was the possibility of a flash flood in the Fish River. “Anytime it rained up north, water would suddenly come pouring down. This is not a dam with sluice gates. It fills up and overflows, and therefore having a crane on the riverbed on the dam side was a huge risk. The crane requires dismantling, extra extensions, removal of the booms and counterweights, and for the outriggers to be put back on all before it can be driven away,” Smith highlights. According to the required specification, crane assembly takes two days, with a day to dismantle it.
“We checked the weather forecasts constantly for any storm warnings from up north. Fortunately, we had no issues whatsoever. At the end of the day, we felt privileged to have been a part of this massive infrastructure project,” Smith adds. He concludes that, on the back of its successful work here, Concord Namibia is well-poised to follow Salini Impregilo elsewhere into Africa should they secure any more dam projects.
Smith is extremely proud of the fact that the team at Concord Namibia, under the leadership of Crane Manager Johann Greeff, was able to complete the project without any hiccups or delays. “The fact that we got everything correct the first time was our proudest moment, as this was a testament to the extensive planning and preparation undertaken by the team. It was this outcome that secured us additional work on the project,” Smith concludes.
Ends
Notes to the Editor
To download hi-res images for this release, please visit http://media.ngage.co.za and click the Concord Cranes link to view the company’s press office.
About Concord Cranes
Concord Cranes, a proud member of the Bud Group, has been established through the collaboration of well-established brands Elcon Crane Hire, Castle Crane Hire, Anglo V3 Crane Hire, Concord Crane Hire Namibia, Material Handling Logistics and Rent-A-Plant, which collectively have been around for over a decade. These brands have formed our powerful and resourceful Concord team.
Managing a fleet of over 170 cranes, ranging from 7 t to 750 t, Concord is committed to providing professional, compliant lifting services that are customised to fit our clients’ needs. Mobile Crane Hire, Rigging Services and Specialised Transport Solutions are included in our specialist service offering.
We have a distinct purpose and a passion for what we do. Excellence is what keeps our team going; striving for greater in everything we do.
Cranes for LIFE: Loyalty I Integrity I Foresight I Excellence
Ensuring trust with every rental
Concord Cranes Contact
Francois Smith
CEO: Concord Namibia
Phone: (011) 805 8071
Cell: 083 630 7688
Email: francois [at] concordcranes [dot] com
Web: www.concordcranes.com
Media Contact
Nomvelo Buthelezi
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867 7763
Fax: 086 512 3352
Cell: 083 408 8911
Email: nomvelo [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
Browse the NGAGE Media Zone for more client press releases and photographs at http://media.ngage.co.za