Filtered Press Release : 2018 Aug

A Cutting-edge Construction Research Center Opens in the Heart of Colombo

Tokyo Cement Group declared open their newly upgraded Construction Research Center as an Independent Laboratory to cater to concrete and cement testing requirements of the industry. Located in the heart of Colombo at 865 1/1, Dr. Danister De Silva Mawatha, Colombo 09, the Research Center will test and certify cement, concrete and dry mortar products, according to Local and International Standards. This ISO 17025 certified Construction Research Center is equipped with latest scientific equipment that can conduct accurate and timely tests on concrete mix designs used in the construction of high-rises and mega infrastructure projects.

The Research Center will also be Tokyo Cement’s innovations hub that will invent, test and fine-tune new introductions to its product portfolio. Manned by an expert research team comprised of qualified chemists, the laboratory will be the main incubator where the Company will conduct new product development as required by its demanding customers, and enhance the range and utility of its dry mortar and value-added innovations product range. Mr. M. Ono, Executive Officer / General Manager of Planning and Control Department in the Cement and Construction Company of UBE Industries Ltd., Japan inaugurated the Construction Research Center, with Dr. Harsha Cabral PC – Chairman, Mr. S.R. Gnanam – Managing Director, Mr. Christopher Fernando – Group GM/Executive Director, Mr. M. Thayananthan – Actg. General Manager, and Dr. M.G.M.U. Ismail – Director- Research & Development of Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC., who graced the occasion with the management and staff of the company. UBE Industries Ltd., the Japanese business partner of Tokyo Cement, was actively involved in providing guidance for the upgrade, with latest technology inputs to make it future-ready to provide laboratory services to the industry.

Dr. M.G.M.U. Ismail – Director Research & Development of Tokyo Cement highlighting the key services offered by the research facility said, “This Construction Research Center will provide the widest array of tests demanded by modern construction projects, all under one roof and most importantly in compliance with ISO 17025 testing standards. We provide services not just on our products or only to our own customers, but to the whole industry who seek accurate and independent testing of aggregate, cement and concrete.”

Facilities at the newly upgraded Research Center include a modern wet concrete lab and mini plants to test different blends of cement. The equipment therein includes cutting-edge testing equipment such as Blaine, Vicat, Le-chatelier apparatus and strength machines that can verify fineness, consistency, setting time, soundness and compressive and flexural strength of cement. Concrete testing equipment available include L-box, V-funnel, J-ring, Slump flow (SSC), Penetration resistance, Air meter, Strength machine, Length compactor, Water permeability and initial surface testing machines, that ascertain qualities such as setting time, air content, compressive and flexural strength as well as drying shrinkage. Non-destructive tests such as Rebound hammer, Chloride penetration apparatus and Bond testers are also available to indorse the durability of concrete. For aggregate testing, the lab is equipped with not only AIV and ACV apparatus, but also tools for comprehensive Sieve analysis to measure indices such as Flakiness, Elongation, Shape and Soundness. In addition, equipment to test technical properties of dry mortar products such as Tile Adhesives, Flooring and Water Proofing compounds are also available. The laboratory is also equipped with pilot facility to formulate light weight foam concrete that is used as a filling material for Highways and Buildings.

The Construction Research Center is vested into the industry at a time when there are tens if not hundreds of construction projects, both residential and commercial are coming up in all parts of the country. Therefore, it is critically important to test materials used, to ensure safety, longevity and sustainability of these buildings and infrastructure projects. The Construction Research Center is capable of providing its world-class laboratory services to all these projects, especially for multi-national collaborations where independent attestation of all materials and mechanical properties of concrete is mandatory.

As a testament to their commitment to quality control, Tokyo Cement Company invested heavily in the field of concrete and cement testing in 2012 by setting up a modern R&D Laboratory at the A.Y.S. Gnanam Construction Training Academy in Dambulla. This laboratory was the first of its kind to receive ISO 17025 accreditation in 2015, for testing concrete materials and mechanical properties of concrete. In view of the construction boom, last year the company decided to shift the laboratory to Colombo to bring it closer to its growing customer base. All tests are conducted by a group of expert scientists and qualified chemists, further strengthening the Research Center’s reputation as a proficient laboratory services provider. The expansion of its operations to readily work on the next generation of construction products, elevate the Research Center to an industry recognized testing facility that can provide reliable and prompt services to its clients.

The Construction Research Center, conveniently located in the hub of the metropolitan on the Baseline Road, can be reached on 0112 445 105 to get more details on the available testing facilities and the services offered to its industry clientele.

Dr. Shingo Asamoto Keynote Speaker at Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka Annual Sessions 2018

The Society of Structural Engineers, Sri Lanka (SSE-SL) held its Annual Sessions 2018 with the patronage of Tokyo Cement Group on the 14th of August at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo. The event was the platform for key research findings and knowledge sharing and focused the limelight on the highly-coveted field of structural engineering in Sri Lanka at a time when the country is on wave of a groundbreaking infrastructural developments. The Annual Sessions is held with the broader objective of creating a culture of scientific research to spur on innovation in structural engineering. Over 150 delegates of the construction community comprising of civil engineers, project managers, consultants and undergraduates from the engineering faculties of the leading universities in the country were present at the conference.

Tokyo Cement Group as the sole sponsor of this year’s event flew down renowned researcher on Concrete, Dr. Shingo Asamoto, Associate Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of Saitama University of Japan, to address the conference as the Keynote Speaker. Dr. Asamoto, who is a very close affiliate among the Sri Lankan Engineering academics, presented his scholarly findings conducted in association with Prof. Anura Nanayakkara of the University of Moratuwa, on “Hot Weather Concreting Issues and Application of Mineral Admixtures”. His study is part of a Core-to-core research network project being conducted in collaboration between the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the Universities of Moratuwa and Ruhuna. This project focuses on hot weather concreting and the measures for design and construction according to Asian climatic conditions, with Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam as counterparts.

Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu, President-SSE-SL with Dr. M.G.M.U. Ismail, Director-Research & Development, Tokyo Cement Group

Tokyo Cement Group was delighted to take the lead role on this occasion which aims to uplift our industry to be on par with any other country in the global construction arena. The company with its longstanding ties with Japan, made it an opportunity to facilitate world-class knowledge sharing to inspire our professionals who add impetus to our industry with new thinking. Dr. M.G.M.U. Ismail, Director Research and Development of Tokyo Cement Company, the driving force behind Tokyo Cement’s innovations arm, was instrumental in broadening the SSE-SL affiliation into a strategic industry partnership.

Eleven breakthrough concept papers were presented by top professionals and academics of the Structural Engineering fraternity at this year’s Annual Sessions. The sessions were chaired by Eng. Dr. Nihal Somaratna, former Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Eng. Dr. Udaya Dissanayake, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering from the University of Peradeniya respectively. This rich set of research-based innovations pointed to the promise of making our construction industry the fountainhead of national development. The discussion points raised by these topics broaden the horizon of structural engineering in Sri Lanka and prepare the industry to face new challenges with innovative thinking, enhanced knowledge and expertise. Eng. Janaka Perera, General Manager of Tokyo Supermix (Pvt) Ltd also made a presentation on the strengths and benefits of Tokyo Supermix, the largest supplier of Ready-Mixed Concrete in Sri Lanka with a network of 11 batching plants spread across the island.

Dr. Nihal Somaratna, former Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya

The SSE-SL is the foremost professional body dedicated to uplift and enhance knowledge of structural engineers and other professionals connected to the construction industry on new concepts, innovations and new technology. Members of the Society are actively involved as consultants and advisors to major development projects in the country and dynamically contribute on a number of policy formulating committees governing the industry. The Society plays a leading role in educational and training activities and provide a platform to share knowledge and experiences on various construction related topics between professionals in Sri Lanka and industry experts from around the world.

Filtered Press Release : 2018 Aug

A Cutting-edge Construction Research Center Opens in the Heart of Colombo

Dr. Shingo Asamoto Keynote Speaker at Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka Annual Sessions 2018

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