• +263 867 009 663 | +263 867 700 906
  • 1574 Alpes Road, Hatcliffe, Harare

Building Technology Institute

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BTI

Building Technology Institute

The Energy Technology Institute (ETI) provides technological solutions and services in the energy field to public and private institutions in Zimbabwe. ETI strives to continually establish and maintain close and permanent partnership with industry and all stakeholders in areas of mutual benefit related to collaborative research, development of new products, provision of expert technical services and training in the energy field.

ETI collaborates with power supply utilities, providers of industrial and domestic consumer services, government, non-governmental organizations and energy research and development organizations in and outside Zimbabwe.

Mandate of the Institute

  • Spearheading technology development within the energy sector
  • Adapting, upgrading and transferring of energy technologies for the benefit of industry in Zimbabwe
  • Promoting efficient use of energy resources
  • Maximizing energy availability, accessibility and affordability
  • Spearheading the introduction of environmentally friendly energy resources to the local market
  • Providing information on energy technology to various stakeholders
  • Building technical capacity and developing a human resource base with technical expertise in the energy sector
  • Establishing state of the art energy management systems
  • Ascertaining the energy needs of Zimbabwe and providing technical solutions

ETI offers support services on Energy Management and Energy Efficiency. These services include:

  • Energy Audits in Industrial, Mining, Agriculture, Transport and Residential Systems
  • Planning, Development and Implementation of Energy Management and Energy
    Efficiency Programmes and Projects.
  • Development and Implementation of Energy Management Systems (ISO 50001) and Installation of Power Factor Correction Systems.
  • Power Quality Audits (Supply Harmonics Measurements and Reduction).
  • Energy System Assessment; Lighting; Pumps and Fans; Refrigeration and Air
    Conditioning; Compressed Air; Insulation; Heating/Drying and Steam System
  • Designing and Implementation of Maximum Demand (MD) Reduction (Load Factor Improvement) Programmes.
  • Bill Analysis and Verification
  • Carbon footprint calculation
  • Online Load Characterization
  • Designing, Installation, Preventive and Corrective Maintenance of Electrical Systems.

 

The Institute comprises of five divisions:

  1. Structural and Geotechnical Engineering Division
  2. Building and Construction Materials Division
  3. Housing and Infrastructure Development Division
  4. Civil Engineering Design Systems Division
  5. Road and Traffic Engineering Division

Activities include:

  • Technology adoption, adaptation and transfer
  • Building and construction material analysis and testing
  • Building and construction product development and improvement
  • Building systems pathology development
  • Labour-intensive technologies
  • Product and process improvement of the adapted technologies
  • Traffic and transportation systems development
  • Geotechnical services
  • Site Investigation and soil testing
  • Assessment of building and construction materials
  • Assessment of construction methods
  • Estimation and costing of construction (Quantity Surveying)
  • Draughting and plan drawing services
  • Structural designs in reinforced concrete, timber and steelwork
  • Maintenance of infrastructure
  • Transportation and logistics management
  • Construction supervision
  • Road repair and rehabilitation

 

Training Services:

  • Rammed Earth Technology
  • Buildings Maintenance
  • Concrete Technology
  • Road Rehabilitation Training

 

Micro-concrete Roofing (MCR) Tiles Process Improvement

Mining waste: The Institute is investigating the use of slag mining waste as an extender for concrete products and soil stabilization for road construction. The Institute is also investigating the use of gypsum as a raw material to manufacture building materials.

  • Rammed Earth Technology Design Improvement
  • Road Design and Construction
  • Technologies Developed

MCR Tiles:

  • Developed code of practice in conjunction with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ)
  • Commercialization of the product
  • Continuous product improvement

Rammed Earth Technology:

  • Developed code of practice in conjunction with Standards Association of Zimbabwe
  • Adopted in model Building By-laws in Zimbabwe
  • Model structures constructed in the country
  • Technology transfer through training of builders and construction personnel

For Further Information, Contact:

THE DIRECTOR:
  • +263 8677 009676 (direct line), +263 8677 009663, +263-778860323, 778860324, 778860327
  • +263777988689
  • bti@sirdc.ac.zw, sncube@sirdc.ac.zw