LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IN AWARD-WINNING SYDNEY METRO NORTHWEST PROJECT INTERSECTION TRAFFIC ENGINEERING - LAST PART: DESIGN OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS - The ...
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November 2020 Vol 28 No 10
Sivili Enjeneereng
LOCAL INVOLVEMENT INTERSECTION TRAFFIC THE WORLD ACCORDING
IN AWARD-WINNING ENGINEERING – LAST TO SAICE: FOCUS ON
SYDNEY METRO PART: DESIGN OF SAICE LOCAL AND GLOBAL
NORTHWEST PROJECT TRAFFIC SIGNALS NETWORKING
Becoming Keller
• Franki Geotechnical (Pty) Ltd.
• Frankipile (Namibia) (Pty) Ltd.
• Frankipile (Mauritius) International Ltd.
• Frankipile Moçambique Lda.
• Frankipile International Projects Ltd
Tanzania Branch
• Frankipile International Projects Ltd.
Uganda Branch
As from the 1st January 2021, Geotechnical construction companies Franki
Africa and Keller Middle East will be joining together as one integrated business
unit called Middle East Africa, branded as Keller.
global strength and local focus
011 062 7600 info.za@keller.com www.franki.com www.keller.com
FR O M T H E PR E S I D E N T ’ S D E S K
The academic year that was –
embracing the future with hope
INTRODUCTION almost every facet of society.” Humanity’s its stakeholders and the broader society. It
The Grade 12 learners of 2020 will go way of life has certainly changed and will talks to what is good and right for the self
down in history as the learners who had continue to do so in the coming years – and the other. CS Lewis says, “Integrity is
faced a particularly difficult academic the so-called “new normal”. doing the right thing, even when no one is
year. With numerous stops and goes Also, in his book Closing the Gap, watching.” We need to instil this culture
during the year there was an element of Professor Tshilidzi Marwala (UJ Vice- and values in our young ones for a better
doubt a few months ago as to whether Chancellor) emphasises that, “… across and inclusive future.
they would be ready for the exams. the globe progress has been defined by the
Having a Grade 12 learner at home made ability of humans to adapt to change … IN CLOSING
one appreciate the dynamics of shifting [but] here in Africa we have largely missed Abdullar Verachia also reminds us that
things around to ensure that the year does the call and as a result have fallen behind we cannot be stuck in an environment
not get wasted. As they take their final on the last three industrial revolutions. We where our memories are stronger than
NSC/IEB exams during this exam season, cannot therefore afford to miss the call our vision, but our vision better be rooted
we wish them all the strength, wisdom again with the 4th Industrial Revolution.” in the discernible realities that now
and energy they need to succeed. These It is in this context that more and confront us. The business community in
final exams have been combined with the more learners at our schools should be South Africa has a great deal to contribute
June exams (postponed earlier in the year doing Maths, Science and IT to prepare as it takes a proactive role in managing
due to the pandemic), leading to a total themselves for the knowledge-driven internally, as well as markets and the
number of 1 058 699 learners writing the digital economy of the future. It is widely broader environments, and most of all,
exams, making it the biggest public exam acknowledged that one of the pillars of a adopting the philosophy that South Africa
the department has ever administered. flourishing economy is quality education, belongs to all who live in it.
The cocktail of factors (technological a fact that should be borne in mind in a 2020 has indeed been an interesting
challenges within schools; lack of re- country where the Grade 12 pass rates in global experiment that forced humanity
sources, facilities and ethics; funding con- Maths and Science are very low. The 2019 to review its habits and its conduct, and
straints; unionised labour, etc) has made pass rate of only 20% of the learners doing how business is done. We therefore need
it difficult for the department to execute maths and science passing with marks to examine our personal and collective
its mandate, but focus is needed now to higher than 50% indicates that more decisions and chart a more sustainable
go through the milestone of marking and work still has to be done before we can path that brings more hope for our future.
releasing exam results timeously. compete globally. I would like to wish the class of 2020
It is further disturbing to still have all the success with their exams and may
EMBRACING THE FUTURE learners who try to cheat the system (it was the results in February 2021 be pleasing
The year has also accelerated the use of reported that some learners had access to to their eyes and become a
technology, not only at schools, but also leaked Maths and Physical Science papers catalyst to turbo-charge
in our work environments. The world is beforehand). This of course is not in their a bright future and
still reeling from living through the un- own best interest. Ethical conduct should socio-economic
precedented prevalence of the pandemic. be taught early in the lives of learners as development across
In his book Disruption Amplified: Reset, it becomes a lifelong pillar of professional our country.
Rewire and Reimagine, Abdullah Verachia behaviour in every sphere of life. The
postulates that, “… whether we like it or Institute of Directors SA defines ethics (in- Fana Marutla
not we have been pushed en masse into tegrity and responsibility) as ethical values
a discontinuous, disruptive digital world applied to decision-making, conduct and SAICE President 2020
fmarutla@gibb.co.za
on the back of fast-paced shifts impacting the relationship between the organisation,
“… across the globe progress has been defined by the ability of humans to adapt
to change … [but] here in Africa we have largely missed the call and as a result
have fallen behind on the last three industrial revolutions. We cannot therefore
afford to miss the call again with the 4th Industrial Revolution.”
Civil Engineering November 2020 1
November 2020 Vol 28 No 10
Sivili Enjeneereng
LOCAL INVOLVEMENT INTERSECTION TRAFFIC THE WORLD ACCORDING
IN AWARD-WINNING ENGINEERING – LAST TO SAICE: FOCUS ON
SYDNEY METRO PART: DESIGN OF SAICE LOCAL AND GLOBAL
NORTHWEST PROJECT TRAFFIC SIGNALS NETWORKING
oN THE cOVER P6
Sivili Enjeneereng = Sesotho
ON THE COVER
To support the multi-storey structural loads
of a new building at the Innovation Hub
in Pretoria, Stefanutti Stocks Geotechnical Stefanutti Stocks Geotechnical owns a comprehensive fleet of state-of-the-art equipment suited
installed load-bearing perimeter piles with to operate in even the most demanding and adverse ground conditions on the continent
gunite arches between the piles for the
double-storey basement. The company’s
approach is to always deliver the very best
solution for the prevailing ground conditions. FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
The academic year that was – embracing the future with hope �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1
South African
Institution of
Civil Engineering
CEO’S CORNER
November 2020 Vol 28 No 10 Adopting a transdisciplinary methodology to address complex infrastructure problems���������������������������������������������������� 5
Sivili Enjeneereng
ON THE COVER
Published by SAICE
Block 19, Thornhill Office Park,
Bekker Street, Vorna Valley, Midrand Africa’s premier geotechnical contractor���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Vishaal Lutchman PrEng PMP
vishaal@saice.org.za | Tel: +27 11 805 5947/8
PROFILE
My 45 years (almost) in consulting engineering������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 8
Editor
Verelene de Koker
verelene@saice.org.za
Tel +27 11 805 5947/8 | Cell +27 83 378 3996
Editorial Panel
Marco van Dijk (chairman), Irvin Luker (vice-chairman),
Fana Marutla (president), Vishaal Lutchman (CEO),
Andile Gqaji, Jeffrey Mahachi, Avi Menon,
CONSTRUCTION / GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
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The South African Institution of Civil Engineering accepts
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expressed in this publication, and all information is
provided without prejudice. Consequently nobody
connected with the publication of the magazine, in
particular the proprietors, the publishers and the editors,
FOCUS ON SAICE NETWORKING
will be liable for any loss or damage sustained by any
reader as a result of his or her action upon any statement or
opinion published in this magazine. The world according to SAICE
Introduction ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 30
ISSN 1021-2000
Quick finder ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 31
Civil Engineering November 2020
P17
Statutory bodies and associated structures���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 33
Discipline-specific bodies ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������43
International bodies ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������56
Tertiary institutions where civil engineering can be studied����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������60
Additional acronyms and abbreviations relevant to the engineering environment ������������������������������������������������63
IN BRIEF P13
Tunnelling of the Polihali diversion tunnels progressing well �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 64
Rehabilitation of Durban Heights Reservoir 3 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 64
Groundwater brings relief to Karoo town������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������66
Coega Development Corporation Board appoints new CEO ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������66
SA’s wind energy market opens up for Zest WEG������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 67
SAICE AND PROFESSIONAL NEWS
Obituary: Pieter van Rooyen (1965 – 2020)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������68 P64
SAICE Training Calendar 2021�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������69
CARTOON
Civillain by Jonah Ptak
We’ve lost our marbles but gained a friend����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������73
FUN QUIZ
SAICE Know Your Sector Competition������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������72
P67
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2
C E O ’ S CO R N E R
Adopting a transdisciplinary
methodology to address
complex infrastructure problems
This article serves to get us thinking of As it pertains to this article, the topic stalled in response to resistance from
new approaches to solve old problems. relates to exploring inequality, with a various stakeholders, which has halted
I elaborate in short on the following focus on education and infrastructure much-needed spending on roads in the
(which may be untested hypotheses, as sub-goals, to address inequality in country for a few years. Stakeholders,
observations and/or perceptions of our the South African context. Because unions and the taxi industry opposed the
industry). of the complexity of the topic and toll-road concept, yet many of the same
The first is a disconnect between in- the integrated nature of the solutions union members and taxi commuters are
frastructure planning and infrastructure required, a single-discipline approach now unemployed because of economic
spend which has seen a steady decline in may sacrifice the additional constructs of contraction caused in part by lack of
the last decade. We have not been able the problem and limit the solution, thus spending on roads. All stakeholders
to effectively maintain our much-needed creating blind spots, thereby defeating may have valid points, but it can be
assets. the initial objectives. argued that the objective of addressing
Secondly, in our non-egalitarian As it applies to the narrative inequality was missed in this case.
society we have worsening inequality in of inequality in South Africa, four The need to focus on efficient
all forms despite our attempts at building disciplines have served to connect and effective initiatives cannot be
an inclusive economy for all. With all the the topics, namely geopolitics, social overemphasised, especially given the
skills and funding in the last decade we dynamics, techno-economics, and earth Covid-19 pandemic which allows us the
have not been able to address the safety systems. The solution lies in ensuring opportunity to rethink our stances on
and security of our most vulnerable. that the dynamics between the four are issues, open our minds, reconsider our
You may agree that these are but a appreciated and fully understood before worldviews and influence those within
few of the many issues that prevent us embarking on any initiative. Hence, our circles to think and act as a col-
from feeling a sense of achievement when a transdisciplinary methodology will lective. No longer should one entity or
so many of our fellow South Africans assist in exploring and scoping each school of thought dominate another, as
have hardships that seem to have no end. discipline and its interconnectedness, it has become plain to see that constant
As indicated in previous articles, relationships, interactions and context dissension has failed us all.
SAICE supports the notion of a free, just with other disciplines, ultimately leading In conclusion, this article serves to
and inclusive society that allows access to to sustainable solutions while new introduce the notion that we live in a
all South Africans. Therefore, each new disciplines are created in the future. complex world with various schools of
initiative allows for a rethink of the path This contribution also dispels the notion thought that need to be respected and
travelled by considering new approaches that we need to simplify issues with incorporated into solutions. We have to
to make good on that which we have not a high level of granularity in order to appreciate the complexity whilst working
been successful at. This article seeks to solve them. It postulates that we live in on goal-based solutions, as postulated
do just that by considering alternatives an ever-increasing complex world, and in a transdisciplinary methodology, for
to addressing our main infrastructure we need to address the complexity for example. It requires working together
objectives as indicated in our Economic what it is to meet the stated objective across disciplines. In next month’s
Reconstruction and Recovery Plan whilst not looking to silo ourselves in article I will explain further how we can
(ERRP), also referred to in our National the process. consider weaving the goal of addressing
Development Plan. For illustration, I It is proposed that complexity be inequality into infrastructure and educa-
choose to consider the inequality plight, considered using a multiple-lens view, tion to bring about meaningful improve-
as the consequences of not addressing i.e. we need to look at it from various ments to society, political ideologies,
inequality befall us all as South Africans. perspectives or disciplines of study. climate and technology.
The transdisciplinary methodology More profound complexity comes to
is an inquiry-based method to explore, the fore in the relationships between Vishaal Lutchman Pr Eng, PMP
describe a problem, and develop the disciplines. Paradigms play out – for
vishaal@saice.org.za
solutions aligned to an overall goal. example, toll-roads in South Africa have
Civil Engineering November 2020 5
O N T H E COV E R
Africa’s premier
geotechnical contractor
CONTRACTING ACROSS A CONTINENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT QQ geo-thermal installations
Stefanutti Stocks Geotechnical boasts “We specialise in designing and con- QQ design and construction of various
industry experience spanning more structing sustainable deep pile founda- types of piles
than two decades, during which time tions and lateral support solutions for QQ lateral support
the company has completed countless, various industries, even in the most chal- QQ rock anchoring
and often challenging, projects for its lenging geological environments,” says QQ shotcrete
clients across sub-Saharan Africa. This the division’s commercial director Tiaan QQ void fill
geotechnical contractor, which is a divi- Erasmus. “This capability allows us to QQ grouting – including specialist con-
sion of the multidisciplinary construction offer our clients innovative, substantially solidation, compaction and dolomitic
group Stefanutti Stocks, offers the full cost-effective and time-saving design- terrain handling
spectrum of geotechnical services to all and-construct solutions.” QQ sinkhole remediation and repairs.
sectors within the industry. These include Stefanutti Stocks Geotechnical’s excel- Stefanutti Stocks Geotechnical’s
building (residential, office, industrial, lence in execution encompasses the fol- piling capabilities are supported by its
etc), energy generation, industrial plants, lowing geotechnical contracting services: comprehensive fleet of state-of-the-art
mining houses, transport infrastructure QQ geotechnical investigations and re- equipment, including crawler-mounted
(freeways, roads, bridges, rail infrastruc- ports, including diamond core drilling, hydraulic piling rigs, percussion/rotary
ture), and the construction of water reverse circulation drilling, DPSH drill rigs and investigation/exploration
infrastructure. testing and auger trial holes rigs. This fleet is suited to work in even
Installation of Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles
for a new residential apartment block in Pretoria
6 November 2020 Civil Engineering
the most demanding and adverse ground
conditions.
SHEQ MILESTONE
“We pride ourselves on executing
technically challenging, high-risk
projects in sensitive environments while
maintaining the highest standards of
SHEQ (adherence to safety, health and
environmental regulations and quality
control), to the extent that, at the end
of September 2020, the division marked
three years of being lost-time-injury-
free,” says Erasmus. “Our track record
of high-quality delivery and innovative
solutions has resulted in us being a valu-
able construction partner to our clients.”
Aerial photographs taken after the slope failure in front
of two luxury residential properties had been stabilised
LANDMARK PROJECTS
Some of the more recent landmark
projects undertaken by Stefanutti
Stocks Geotechnical include the lateral
support, bulk earthworks and dynamic
compaction for the Exxaro Head Office
in Centurion (a high-risk dolomite-
classified area), numerous deep pile
foundations for road and river bridges
in South Africa and Namibia, the design
and supply of deep foundations for the
Kazerne Transit-Oriented Development
in the well-known Gauteng-based
Newtown precinct, the construction
of emergency lateral support work to
a slope failure in front of two luxury
residential properties, and the instal-
lation of load-bearing perimeter piles
to the double-storey basement of a
new building in Pretoria’s Innovation
Hub (also pictured on the cover of
this edition).
THE VERY BEST SOLUTIONS
“Our work is often not visible once
a bridge, road or building has been
built on top of the foundations that we
construct,” says Erasmus. “However, our
approach is to always deliver the very
best solution for the prevailing ground
conditions, in order to ensure a lifetime
of safety for any structure.”
Info
Tiaan Erasmus
Commercial Director
Stefanutti Stocks Geotechnical
+27 11 571 4300
tiaan.erasmus@stefstocks.com
The company owns a comprehensive fleet of state-
www.stefstocks.com
of-the-art equipment suited to operate in even the
https://geotechnicalcontractor.co.za
most demanding and adverse ground conditions
Civil Engineering November 2020 7
pR O FI L E
My 45 years (almost) in
consulting engineering
Semi-retired SAICE member Carl Geldenhuys kindly set some time aside to share aspects of his interesting
engineering life with us. His career spanned a period of considerable change in how things were (and are)
done. The one thing that remained unchanged, though, is his passion for the profession, so herewith his story
in his own words.
7 APRIL 1971 Draughtsman and my immediate boss,
I walked into the offices of Henny, approached me and asked whether I would
Aalbersberg and Reid in the SALU- be interested in working for a consulting
building in Andries Street in Pretoria (the engineering firm.
street is now called Thabo Sehume Street, I went for an interview the very
and the building is now occupied by the next day and was interviewed by Pieter
Master of the High Court). Aalbersberg, my boss-to-be in the Pretoria
I left Eskom (then Evkom) after a stunt office of Henny, Aalbersberg and Reid, to
of five months as a young civil engineer be renamed later to Henny and Aalberberg,
in the Braamfontein Head Office. I still and even later to Henny and Associates
jokingly say: “I just could not take the (H and A). In April 2019 I was privileged to
pace at Eskom anymore,” as I did virtually visit Pieter (then 85 years of age) in Sitges,
nothing in those five months in the civil Spain (just south of Barcelona). What an
Carl Geldenhuys Pr Eng
engineering drawing office. A few weeks Director, Stugua Consulting (Pty) Ltd experience that was to again chat to my
earlier, Mr Charlie Trabucco, the Chief stugua.consulting@telkomsa.net first boss of almost 50 years ago!
Carl and wife Santjie (standing) in Spain last year where they met up with Carl’s boss of 50
years ago – 85-year old Pieter (now Pedro) Aalbersberg and his wife Vergo (now Frances)
8 November 2020 Civil EngineeringA peaceful street scene in Homs, Syria,
captured on one of Carl’s trips abroad;
the city is in ruins today
I got the job on that day in 1971.
Having to repay my study loan to Eskom,
I was offered a salary of R400 per month,
which was an increase of R75 on my salary
at Eskom, and which would enable me to
repay my study loan. Wow!! Carl at one of the lakes at Seven Rila Lakes in Bulgaria
THOSE YEARS and adjudication were unheard of. During the years thereafter I
So, what was the civil engineering in- Differences between parties were sorted visited Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho,
dustry like in the 70s and 80s? Let me give out over a cup of tea. I suppose the proce- Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe,
you an example or two. dure will be called “mediation” these days. Zambia, Malawi, Angola, Ethiopia, Israel,
As a consulting company H and A was In January 1993 Henny and Mauritius, Greece and Syria as consul-
heavily involved those days in the grain Associates merged with Stewart Scott, tant. The latter trip (to Syria) included a
silo and food processing industry. I clearly as the latter was known then. At that visit to Homs, a city in total ruins today.
recall receiving a telephone call from the point in time I was the CEO of H and A, I was also very close to visiting Kiev in
General Manager of a Cooperative on a having been appointed as such at the age the then USSR, but the fall of the Iron
Friday afternoon to inform me that the Co- of 35 when Pieter Aalbersberg left the Curtain prevented the project from pro-
op’s Board had approved the tender report firm to emigrate to Spain, but being the ceeding (and that after the South African
and that we can appoint the contractor. A CEO was in fact just a title required by contractor had already set up his office
quick phone call to the contractor to meet the Companies Act. Board meetings were in Kiev).
on site on Monday to peg out the site was very informal and were more of an op- I also had the opportunity to work
followed on Tuesday morning by flying portunity to meet with one’s colleagues across the whole of South Africa cov-
dust as excavations commenced. from Johannesburg, Cape Town and ering all nine (previously four) provinces.
A couple of months (and a few pay- Pietermaritzburg. I covered close to 1.5 million kilometres
ment certificates and payments to the I also recall the procedure if you needed by car during all those years. Doing a
contractor) later I received a call from to go on an overseas work trip. It entailed 900 km trip to a site and back in a day
the Co-op’s Financial Manager asking me about four phone calls to your co-directors was not a problem at all. During the
whether there was not perhaps supposed and shareholders, and off you went. mid-70s I was the Resident Engineer
to be a signed Agreement between the (then called the Site Engineer) on a grain
Co-op and the contractor. “Oops!! Oom TRAVELLING ALL OVER FOR WORK silo project at Alma between Nylstroom
Jan, it totally slipped my mind. I will draft I had the wonderful opportunity to (now Modimolle) and Vaalwater, travel-
the Agreement immediately.” visit many countries during my career ling there twice a week (a distance of
That was what the industry was all as consulting engineer. My first trip about 370 km there and back) for my
about – total trust between the con- overseas was in 1981 visiting Denmark, site experience to enable me to register
tracting parties! Sweden, Germany, Britain and the United as a professional engineer. I was able to
The word “claims” did not appear in States to research the silo industry in register professionally exactly three years
the industry’s dictionary, and arbitration those countries. and four months after graduating!
Having spent 45 years of my life as a civil engineer in consulting LOOKING BACK
Having spent 45 years of my life as a civil
engineering, I can physically look back at all the structures engineer in consulting engineering, I can
that went up across the country, and across the world, during physically look back at all the structures
that went up across the country, and
that time. Just counting the grain silos in South Africa totals across the world, during that time. Just
75 installations, and a further 23 outside the country. counting the grain silos in South Africa
Civil Engineering November 2020 9Construction site in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia (not much to report on OHS!)
Mill and grain silo in Port Louis Harbour,
Mauritius
Stewart Scott changed its name to
SSI Engineers and Environmental
Consultants, and later to SSI, a DHV
company when DHV obtained a
share in the company. When DHV
merged with Royal Haskoning in
the Netherlands, SSI became Royal
HaskoningDHV, thereby effectively
dropping its decades-long naming
history. That was the end of an era,
with an 80% Dutch shareholding.
became Royal HaskoningDHV, thereby
effectively dropping its decades-long
naming history (from its original name
Stewart, Sviridov and Oliver before
merging with Scott and de Waal to
become Stewart Scott in 1992). That
was the end of an era, with an 80%
Dutch shareholding.
In theory I spent my entire career
with the same company, and must name
my colleague and friend, Koos Mol, with
totals 75 installations, and a further 23 lot of design and detailing work “in- whom I spent 43 of those 45 years, both of
outside the country. It was so sad to see house”! I clearly recall visiting Mr Oxley us retiring at the end of 2015 – a lifetime
one of them, along with a mill building, or Mr Freylink at the old Transvaal as colleagues!
being imploded in Waltloo, Pretoria. Provincial Departments to have drawings During 2010, at the age of 61, I
Although spectacular, it was a very signed off. I usually did not sleep the furthered my studies in Contract Law, as
emotional moment, especially considering night before! the legal world always had some attrac-
that I was involved in virtually every During my 23 years at the then tion for me. This enabled me to practise
brick and cubic of concrete that went into Stewart Scott, the industry went through as adjudicator, arbitrator and mediator
that site. many changes – some for the better, some during my last five years at the company
I suppose my older colleagues in the for the worse. and is keeping me out of mischief to
consulting engineering industry will also Stewart Scott changed its name this day.
recall the project managers that we dealt to SSI Engineers and Environmental What would I do differently if I could
with at the Departments of Water Affairs Consultants, and later to SSI, a DHV have it all over again?
and Public Works, and the Provincial company when DHV (a Dutch consulting I would have completed my MSc thesis
Departments of Works and Roads, etc. engineering company) obtained a share after my Honours degree in 1972. I would
They were manned by highly competent in the company. When DHV merged with have furthered my studies towards an
professionals who were still doing a Royal Haskoning in the Netherlands, SSI LLB degree, and I would have grabbed the
10 November 2020 Civil Engineeringopportunity to spend two years working Implotion of the mill and grain
in Calgary in Canada in 1978 when the silo in Waltloo, Pretoria
opportunity was offered to me.
I should perhaps also have considered
working for a contractor for a year or two.
just to be exposed to the “other side of the
fence.”
Beyond that, I have no regrets at all. To
quote Edith Piaf:
Non, je ne regrette rien!!
AND NOW? AFTER THOSE 45 YEARS?
With two children and five grandchildren
living abroad (London and Auckland) my
wife and I have been travelling extensively
since my retirement from consulting
engineering. We have had the privilege of
visiting most of the European countries,
including “off-the-beaten-track” countries
like Russia, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia,
Bulgaria and Romania.
Our last trip (just before the Covid-19 the way, Bill Bryson is my number one had given us. I also enjoy being involved
lockdown and catching one of the last travel author, along with our own Dana in pro-Deo work to thank God for all His
Qantas flights out of Sydney) was a five- Snyman. Except for two of Bill’s books I Grace during all these years.
week visit to New Zealand and Australia. have all the books of these two gentlemen
The ten-day trip by car from Nelson on the in my bookshelves, including William LAST WORD
northern edge of the South Island of New (before he was Bill) Bryson’s The Palace On 21 October 2020 I had the privilege of
Zealand, right down to Milford Sound and under the Alps. lunching with Frans Barnard, the ex-MD
via the west coast back to Christchurch And of course, part of my time goes of CMGM Glybeton (Group Five Civils)
was truly memory-making. The distance of into building Lego with my three older and Willie Meyburgh, the ex-CEO of
almost 3 000 km by car was perhaps a bit grandsons – training them to also be Stefanutti Stocks – two gentlemen who
too much for the 70-year oupa and his wife! engineers one day. I have pretty much I still respect highly as ex-contractors. I
During September 2016, to the month almost every Lego Technics set in my often used to say that I would have given
50 years after passing my final UNISA collection. my cheque book to them (today my credit
violin examination, I started taking violin As a retired professional I also firmly card with its PIN number), asking them
lessons again. In addition to reading quite believe that we should be involved some- to just return it after completion of the
a lot (travel and current political affairs) where on a pro-bono basis to partially give project. To their names I can also add that
the violin gives me immense pleasure. By back to the industry for what the industry of Geoff Irons of GD Irons.
Civil Engineering November 2020 11
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Figure 1 The innovative design of the Sydney Metro
Northwest project reduced the use of raw construction
material and labour onsite in favour of prefabricated elements
Local involvement in the award‑winning
Sydney Metro Northwest project
OVERVIEW “The Sydney Metro Northwest is not only
Marius Mostert Pr Eng
The Mott MacDonald, SMEC and KBR the first metro train system in Australia, Structural Discipline Lead
Joint Venture (JV) design team’s contribu- but also Australia’s first fully automated SMEC South Africa
tion to the AU$7.3 billion (R88.9 billion) passenger service.” marius.mostert@smec.com
Sydney Metro Northwest project received The project was delivered by the original
the 2020 Engineering News Record (ENR) tender programme date at AU$300 mil-
Global Best Rail Project award. The JV lion below the budget. This was achieved The six-storey project office was
worked for the contractor (John Holland through a comprehensive paid tender situated in Macquarie Park, Sydney,
Leighton JV) who was contracted to the design process of two competing design- and housed the client, independent
Sydney Metro Northwest Rapid Transit. and-build consortiums. The tender design certifiers, the JV, architects and the
The JV delivered the detailed design for was extremely comprehensive and provided contractor. Most of the design packages
eight new metro stations, which included a clear understanding of the entire scope were done in Sydney by more than 200
three underground stations, three new and schedule for the project that could be professionals. Owing to the tight time
open-cut suburban stations and two new managed throughout the six-year design- frames, design packages were outsourced
elevated stations. It was also responsible for and-build process. Furthermore, all the to overseas design teams. SMEC South
train-stabling maintenance facilities, 36 km designs were fully developed, coordinated, Africa designed two of the open-cut sta-
of new metro track, overhead power systems integrated and approved by the JV and tions from its Johannesburg office, and
and precinct civil works and car parks. independent certifiers before any work com- the Mott MacDonald Singapore office
The project, delivered by Transport menced onsite. This resulted in minimal designed the deep underground stations.
for New South Wales (TfNSW), is the design changes during construction, which The architects on the project, Hassell,
first stage of the Sydney Metro, Australia’s allowed the construction to proceed within provided support in the project office and
biggest public transport project. James the tender programme schedule and cost, from their Brisbane, Auckland and Hong
Phillis, CEO of SMEC Australia, says: and to a high quality. Kong offices.
Civil Engineering November 2020 13COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION
Coordination and communication are key
on a project of this scale. Oracle Aconex
was the chosen communication and docu-
ment control software for the project, while
Bentley’s ProjectWise was used to host the
shared data files. The client provided both
systems, which ensured the ownership of
the project data from start to finish. The
author, as SMEC South Africa’s Structural
Discipline Lead, visited the project office
every six to eight weeks for a duration of
one to two weeks at a time to coordinate
Figure 2 Revit model of the the design with the project office. This
Bella Vista Station (June 2016) was key to ensure the design coordination
between the various disciplines. For the
Figure 3 Photo of the completed Bella remainder of the time, coordination was
Vista concourse (September 2019) done via Skype between the various design
centres. The architects for the Bella Vista
Station were situated in Hong Kong, while
the architects for the Cherrybrook Station
were based in Brisbane, Australia. The
eight- to nine-hour time difference between
the South African office and the Sydney
project office required the South African
team to start work earlier than usual to
increase the overlap and communication
window between the two teams.
BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING
Building Information Modelling (BIM) was
successfully applied to this major transport
infrastructure project and contributed to
minimising cost and schedule risk, while
enhancing constructability. The client
embraced the use of BIM and TfNSW/
Sydney Metro provided high-level BIM
requirements. Mott MacDonald developed
the BIM specification for the Client (NRT/
JHL) and hosted the Common Data
Environment which all the designers used.
Figure 4 Bespoke deep precast beams The final deliverables for the project were
being placed at Bella Vista Station the fully integrated BIM models of all the
stations, tunnels and tracks. The client
would use the models for asset and facility
management (7D BIM), while the con-
tractor used the models during the design
process for automated quantity takedowns
(5D BIM) from the modelling parameters.
Strict protocols were in place and each
discipline had to share their models on
a weekly basis. The BIM Manager cre-
ated federated models every two weeks,
which were followed by clash detection
workshops. At this point, each discipline
had to coordinate design changes and
provide solutions to the clashes. All the
design models were delivered to Level of
Development (LOD) 300. The SMEC South
14 November 2020 Civil EngineeringFigure 5 Precast concrete façade
panels at the Cherrybrook Station
Africa team gained immense experience the labour requirements onsite. Precast Solid precast planks were placed on the
of BIM international best practice on this concrete was used for the platforms, super-T receiving nibs, rebar couplers installed into
project and look forward to utilising the beams, retaining wall facing panels, façade the precast beam, reinforcing placed and
knowledge on future projects. panels, floor slabs and bespoke items. the wet stitch concrete poured to form the
A good example of the effective use of bottom-floor slab. The same process was
INNOVATIVE DESIGN precast concrete was the construction of repeated for the second-floor slab.
The innovative design developed by the JV two floors above the tunnel entrance at the Figure 5 shows the precast concrete
reduced the use of raw construction material Bella Vista Station. Access to the tunnels façade panels installed to the Cherrybrook
and labour onsite in favour of prefabricated could only be interrupted for 12-days to Station during construction.
elements, which in turn increased the effi- meet the programme requirements. Deep Interesting design aspects included
ciency and sustainability of the project both 45-ton bespoke precast beams were placed safety in design workshops and addressing
in construction and in future maintenance over the tracks as shown in Figure 4. The constructability issues during the design
operations. The Australians favour precast members were stabilised with temporary process with the contractor. The sta-
concrete for accuracy, speed and to reduce props from the station trackside walls. tions are designed for a 100-year design
life and required specialist input. Such
input varied from concrete mix design
requirements for durability, to earthing
and bonding requirements to mitigate
stray currents in the track slabs. SMEC’s
geotechnical engineers from the Sydney
office provided detailed FEM analysis of
the soil/structure interface to refine the
rock pressures on the structure (Figure 6).
IN SUMMARY
SMEC South Africa is proud to have been
part of this global award-winning project.
Our team members not only gained
immense international best practice ex-
perience on the effective use of BIM and
precast concrete, but were also exposed
(a) (b)
to world-class project management.
Hence the SMEC South Africa team looks
Figure 6 F EM analysis of the rock-to-structure interface at Bella Vista Station: (a) absolute forward to utilising the knowledge on
horizontal displacement, (b) absolute vertical displacement future projects.
Civil Engineering November 2020 15Always
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www.ctrack.co.za | sales@ctrack.co.za | Call Centre: +27 (0)860 333 444Building 5, which houses Arup and Sony, has a unique fitted curtain wall
installation with tree patterns reinforcing the urban green theme of Oxford Parks
Award-winning
Oxford Parks Phase 2
Meticulous coordination by Concor with a Highly Commended Award configuration to optimise usage of this
on the Oxford Parks Phase 2 project in in the AfriSam Innovation Award in prime precinct.
Rosebank, Johannesburg, facilitated the Sustainable Construction. The project includes Building 2 (Life
smooth and simultaneous construc- Oxford Parks is a focal point along Healthcare’s new 10 000 m2 head office),
tion of five different buildings, which Oxford Road in Rosebank and on comple- Building 3 (a 4 000 m2 multi-tenanted
was one of the reasons Concor won tion will house these five buildings on a building housing inter alia Metier Private
in the Building Contractor category master basement structure. The build- Equity and G+D Currency Technology)
at Construction World’s Best Projects ings are designed to complement each and Building 5 (3 400 m2 offices for Arup
2020. The project was also acknowledged other, fitting together in a jigsaw puzzle and Sony Music).
Construction of Building 5 started
Building 5 while still under construction in February 2019. Initially designed as a
before the Covid-19 lockdown
three-storey structure, these plans were
modified to meet the requirements of the
tenants, Arup and Sony. An additional
slab was added to accommodate a private
entertainment area, as well as recording
studios on the fourth level.
A number of energy-saving and
sustainability features were incorporated
on this project. A waste management
system maximises recycling, while
the buildings feature elements such as
air-cooled systems to eliminate water
usage, primary variable flow pumping,
distributed digital control for central
comfort monitoring, load control under
standby conditions and linear diffusion
to isolate the solar loads. Unique external
Civil Engineering November 2020 17Building 2 (Lifecare’s new head office) features performance-glazed
façades that provide added benefits in terms of energy usage of the building
façades provide aesthetic interest to care, the contractor could nevertheless were achieved as per the contract, despite
the individual buildings and optimise produce an upmarket and modern construction delays, thereby mitigating
energy usage. product while demonstrating care additional costs.
The Covid-19 lockdown added new towards all parties on site. Concor has Both Sony and Arup engineers have
challenges, but through Concor’s com- also clearly confirmed its agility value by taken occupation of Building 5 which was
mitment to its values, one of which is ensuring that practical completion dates completed on time. Tenants in Building 3
Buildings 2 and 3 under construction
before the Covid-19 lockdown
Building 3 and Parks Boulevard under
construction before the Covid-19 lockdown
The first level of Building 3 extends onto a cantilevered slab which forms a
portion of Parks Boulevard, the new spine road of the Oxford Parks precinct
18 November 2020 Civil EngineeringThe Oxford Parks buildings were designed to complement each
other and fit together in a jigsaw puzzle configuration, proportionately
occupying the site to optimise the usage of this prime precinct
took official occupation on 1 September Progressive snagging ensured that
Info
2020, a week earlier than the extended works were signed off as completed by
practical completion date. Tenant instal- each trade, thus minimising the snag list
lation in Building 2 started on 10 August considerably. Coral Fraser-Campbell
on behalf of Concor
2020, with all other floor-level handovers Oxford Parks Phase 2 is certainly an communicate@coralynne.co.za
on track and practical completion being impressive project to be added to the con- www.concor.co.za
2 November 2020. tractor’s portfolio of successful projects.
Civil Engineering November 2020 19
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Intersection Traffic Engineering: Part 6
Level of Service & Design of Traffic Signals
This is the sixth and final part in a series of articles covering the QQ Average Delay
practical design of intersections. The first five articles in this QQ Maximum Delay
series appeared as follows: QQ Total Delay
1. October 2019 pp 49–55: Basics of intersection control devices QQ Maximum Queue
and traffic stages QQ Total Queue
2. November 2019 pp 26–29: Traffic patterns and traffic counts QQ Level of Service (based on V/C or delay).
3. May 2020 pp 28–33: Capacity of priority control devices If a movement is operating under heavy load, the volume-to-
4. September 2020 pp 24–25: Capacity of traffic signals capacity ratio becomes important as you would not want any
5. October 2020 pp 15–19: Delays and queues movement to exceed capacity. Under lighter loads, the delay is
In this last part the following will be covered: more important as capacity is unlikely to be of concern. If block
QQ Level of service lengths are short, the queue may be the most important factor.
QQ Design of traffic signals The HCM recommends average delay per vehicle as the
preferred LoS measure. While in light flow conditions this is
LEVEL OF SERVICE best, for reasons given above other LoS measures should also be
considered.
Level of Service range Having decided what measure should be used, the next deci-
The Level of Service (LoS) is defined by the Highway Capacity sion is what to optimise:
Manual (HCM) (TRB 2000; 2010) and others as follows: QQ a movement
QQ Priority control, average delay (secs/veh): Ais warranted. The average delay that will result in the warrant measures and the times during which they are important are not
being met depends on the approach volume. At 100 veh/hr on considered, the optimal result will not be obtained.
the side street, average delay/veh = 144 secs, at 200 = 72 secs,
at 300 = 48 secs and at 400 = 36 secs, etc. Hence, delay LoS DESIGN OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS
cannot be used for warranting traffic signals. The formulae for capacity, delay, queues, Level of Service (LoS)
QQ A warrant of 3.0 veh would reduce the average delay/veh and measures of effectiveness have been examined in this series.
above to 108, 54, 36 and 27 secs, respectively. After extensive In this final section of the series the way in which this knowledge
experience in implementing the SARTSM warrant, the author is combined to design a traffic signal staging and timing is
can confirm that this would be a more realistic warrant based described.
on public and political opinion. However, a roundabout is
becoming increasingly acceptable and would be a much better Cycle times
alternative to installing signals. Cycle times are generally in the range of 50 seconds to 120 sec-
onds, although cycle times can be shorter or longer in special
Performance index circumstances. In general, cycle times are specified in 10-second
In AutoJ, the user can weight any of the criteria above, i.e. intervals, but it is possible for controllers to handle 5-second
V/C, delay, queues, movements, time periods or Levels of intervals if necessary.
Service to suit the intersection. The weighting determines the Cycle times are dependent on minimum greens and the
performance index. number of stages. These concepts are discussed below. In most
In general, a higher weighting to delay favours priority control, circumstances, however, cycle times should be kept as short as
particularly roundabouts, while a higher weight to V/C favours possible to reduce delay. Longer cycle times may be justified
signals. A higher weighting to movement V/C favours multi-stage to reduce the percentage of lost time where traffic volumes are
signals, while weighting intersection V/C highly favours 2-stage high, and the need is to increase capacity, but this benefit is often
signals. overestimated because the small gain in less lost time is cancelled
After much experimentation, the following weightings out by longer gaps in the traffic flow.
are recommended to optimise overall control performance Cycle times are sometimes set based on system consider-
throughout the day and night (50% to V/C, 25% to delay, 25% to ations, i.e. for synchronisation purposes all signals in the group
queue): must have the same cycle time or an exact multiple thereof.
QQ 18% The V/C of the worst movement in the AM peak
QQ 4% The V/C of the worst movement in the off peak Minimum green, yellow and all-red times
QQ 18% The V/C of the worst movement in the PM peak
QQ 10% The intersection average V/C during the worst period Minimum green
QQ 4% The average delay/veh in the AM peak In all cases, the minimum green time must at least be equal to the
QQ 7% The average delay/veh in the off peak time it takes for a pedestrian to safely cross. This is calculated as
QQ 4% The average delay/veh in the PM peak the width of the crossing (or the width to a median shelter island)
QQ 10% The average delay/veh of the worst movement in any divided by the walking speed of a pedestrian, as per Table 1.
period Typically, a speed of 1.2 m/sec is used.
QQ 6% The queue of the worst movement in the AM peak
QQ 3% The queue of the worst movement in the off peak Table 1 Typical walking speeds of pedestrians
QQ 6% The queue of the worst movement in the PM peak Category (m/sec) (km/h)
QQ 10% The total queue (total delay) in all periods.
Slow (elderly) 1.0 3.6
The greatest weight is given to the intersection’s V/C performance
during peak hours as this is likely to be the most critical measure Normal 1.2 4.3
determining the optimal control. A higher weighting is given
Brisk 1.5 5.4
to off-peak than peak delay, as capacity is less important during
that period.
The fact that pedestrians are not weighted does not mean they An additional consideration, however, is that the green time
have not been considered. They feature in the capacity calcula- must be long enough to give not only the first vehicle but also
tions, and the signal timings have minimums that always ensure the next few following vehicles time to enter the intersection.
that pedestrians have adequate time to cross. If, however, a weight The SA RTSM recommends a minimum of 11 seconds for
is put to pedestrian movements as part of the performance index, the green disc, with an absolute minimum of 7 seconds. For
the effect will be to favour all-way stops because pedestrians have flashing arrows, these times can be reduced to 7 and 4 seconds
priority on all approaches and no delay. For reasons stated earlier, respectively.
this form of ICD cannot be recommended.
Acceleration and deceleration rates
Conclusion Before determining the required yellow and all-red intervals,
Because the HCM recommends delay as the preferred measure, typical acceleration and deceleration rates need to be established.
the other measures are regarded as less important, but delay is Table 2 gives some typical values, as well as the distances and
only one measure of an intersection’s performance. It has been times required to accelerate to, or stop from, 60 km/h on a flat
demonstrated in the above examples that, if a combination of 0% grade.
Civil Engineering November 2020 23You can also read
