Gulf Construction Online - Big 5 Saudi attracts 500 exhibitors

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Packed stands ... visitors at last year’s edition.

Big 5 Saudi attracts 500 exhibitors

01 March 2012

MORE than 500 exhibitors from across 35 countries will look to reinforce investment opportunities in the $1.1-trillion Saudi Arabian construction sector at The Big 5 Saudi 2012, taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

To be held this month (March 10 to 13, 2012), it will be inaugurated by Jeddah mayor Hani Abu Ras at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events. The mayor will meet international dignitaries before taking a guided tour of the event, which has doubled in size in just its second year to accommodate demand from the building and construction industry. The tour will include the second, purpose-built hall that has been built by show organiser especially for the event.

With $60 billion earmarked for the construction of buildings presently in Saudi Arabia, international companies from across the globe will be utilising The Big 5 Saudi to showcase their products and network with the industry.

The 2012 event will include a brand new dedicated Concrete Zone and a Facilities Management Zone, which will provide platforms for these two important industry sectors to position their products and services in a tailored environment.

One of the key programmes at the expo will be a workshop on concrete repairs which will be led by John Drewett, director of Concrete Repairs, a specialist contractor supplying asset maintenance services to concrete building and structure owners on a worldwide basis.

“Concrete on its own does not present corrosion problems but it is often used in construction with steel reinforcement to provide strength in tension,” says Drewett. “This steel has to be protected from corrosion when embedded in highly alkaline concrete with low levels of chloride ions. However, the environment in Saudi Arabia can be quite saline due to the marine environment and soil conditions. Over a period of time chlorides can penetrate the concrete and initiate rapid corrosion of the steel reinforcement which leads to a reduction in the structural capacity. It is important to understand the corrosion process to reduce the risk of steel reinforcement corrosion in new concrete and deal with the problem when it does occur.”

Explaining the important role of FRP (fibre-reinforced plastic) composites in reinstating structural integrity in concrete structures, he continues: “There are many reasons why concrete structures need to be strengthened such as concrete deterioration, increased loading, change of use and poor construction. Steel has traditionally been used to strengthen concrete but this increases the dead load adding to the ongoing problem of protecting steel from corrosion.

“FRP composites are a combination of high-strength fibres and resins fixed to the surface of the concrete with an adhesive which act like an external reinforcement system. These materials are lightweight, thin and very durable so they are ideally suited for use in the Saudi Arabian construction sector.”

The workshop will provide critical information for those involved in the planning, design, construction or ongoing maintenance and repair of any concrete structure such as, architects, engineers, surveyors, developers, owners and facility managers.