TRANSNET FREIGHT RAIL SELECTS CONCRETE MASTS FOR SALDANHA/SISHEN ELECTRICAL FEEDER LINE:

Infraset began delivering the masts in May 2009 and the last deliveries are scheduled for December. Once the masts are planted and the new electricity feeder cable installed, TFR’s Saldanha/Sishen line will be able to accommodate higher volumes of rail traffic, thereby providing for anticipated increased tonnages of iron ore exports.

CMA director, John Cairns, says concrete masts are the most appropriate choice for this type of application, because unlike other materials such as steel, they are entirely maintenance-free.

“Concrete masts retain their structural integrity and aesthetic appeal without the need for routine and expensive maintenance such as de-rusting and painting. As a section of the line runs adjacent to the Atlantic shoreline between Strandfontein and Saldanha, where the sea spray quickly corrodes anything made of steel, the inert properties of concrete are especially apt in this application. In addition, the high strength-to-weight ratio of prestressed concrete masts gives them a distinct advantage over masts manufactured from other materials,” observes Cairns.

Infraset won the tender last year which not only entailed the manufacture but the also delivery of the masts to site at 120m intervals.

“Delivery has presented us with a considerable logistical challenge because the line stretches some 860km,” says Kobus Burger, general manager railway products of Infraset.

“The contract involves the road delivery of over 7 000 12m and 13m masts, each of which weigh over two tons. Our trucks are making round trips of up 1 000km, all of them on sections of rough gravel surfaces. Furthermore, we are complying with extremely high quality and safety requirements,” says Burger.

The masts are being manufactured in De Aar, Northern Cape, where there are ample supplies of good quality aggregate and cement. ISO 9002 accredited, the De Aar factory is jointly owned by Infraset and Empowa Investments through BEE joint venture company, Empowa Grinaker-LTA (Pty) Ltd.

Rated at 64kNm the masts are being manufactured to stringent quality standards and are cast in an attractive rectangular tapered I-Section design with high-strength, high-density concrete in a smooth attractive finish.

"The resilience of prestressed concrete enables it to recover from the effects of a greater degree of overload than any other type of structural material. Furthermore, unlike other materials, concrete suffers no loss of strength over the years, being resistant to insects, fire, rot and corrosion. It is interesting to note that the first major project where concrete masts were for overhead electrification on rail lines were installed in 1999 on TFRs’ Kimberley/De Aar line and those masts still look as good today as they did then,” concludes Burger.

Concrete masts manufactured by Infraset, seen here prior to delivery at the Empowa Grinaker-LTA plant in De Aar. The masts will be used to support a supplementary electrical feeder line on TFR’s Saldanha/Sishen 860km rail link.

Infraset masts are manufactured at ISO 9002 accredited factories in a wide range of strengths and sizes to fill most requirements in MV and LV lines. They also comply with Eskom DTC 0106 and various SABS and Spoornet specifications.

DATE  August, 2009
ISSUED BY  David Beer Communication Consultants
FOR  Concrete Manufacturers Association 
ENQUIRIES John Cairns (011) 805 6742
David Beer (011) 478 0239 or 082 880 6726.  Email: bigsky@ibi.co.za