Client / Owner / Developer: Redefine and Vukile Property Fund
Architect: MDS
Structural Engineer: Sutherland
Quantity Surveyor: NWS
Project Manager: SIP
Main Contractor: NMC
Steelwork Contractor: Cadcon
Structural Steel Detailer / Detailing Company: DN Design
Paintwork: Dram Industrial Painters
This project formed part of the redevelopment of East Rand Mall. The “Tornado” is an architectural feature rolled and fabricated from 76mm diameter circular hollow sections. Tubular steel was chosen for this project because it was the only material that could be shaped and rolled to provide the final product required by the client.
Special considerations for this project included 3D modelling in segments, fabricating in segments big enough to transport and join on site. Segments were site welded into position and all joints were ground flush on site. No bolts were used, only sleeves.
A mock-up of the complete unit was built in factory. The structure was then taken down in segments and re-fit and welded onsite. The original radius was closer, but was increased to save on overall lengths of pipe used (approximately 600m of pipe in the Tornado).
What makes this project special is that there was no equipment available to roll and shape a spiral. Segments were shaped using different radius pipes, turned at joints.
