Thesis (DEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Geotechnical engineering is a relatively young field of engineering and one in which there are
still many unanswered questions and gaps in our knowledge. Added to this, the geotechnical
materials on each new site on which geotechnical work is undertaken are the unique product of
many influences including geology, geomorphology, climate, topography, vegetation and man.
There is thus plenty of scope for innovation.
This dissertation describes the contributions made to Geotechnical Engineering in South Africa
by the Candidate over a period of close on 40 years. It describes the three-step process
followed in the majority of these contributions. Step one is the identification of a problem that
requires investigation, the application of new techniques or simply the consolidation of existing
knowledge. Step 2 is the investigation of the problem and the development of a solution. Step
3 is sharing the outcome of this work with the profession by means of publications, by
presentations at seminars and conferences or by incorporation into standards / codes of
practice.
Part 1 of the dissertation describes the exciting environment in which geotechnical engineers
operate. This environment is characterised by openness and cooperation between practitioners
of geotechnical engineering, be they geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists,
contractors, suppliers or academics. This part also explores the parallels in the roles played by
academics and practitioners and how each can contribute to the advancement and
dissemination of knowledge. Part 2 describes contributions made in various fields including
problem soils (dolomites, expansive clays, uncompacted fills, etc.), lateral support, pile design
and construction, health and safety, and cooperation with international organisations. Part 3
describes the Candidate's involvement in the introduction of limit states geotechnical design into
South African practice culminating in the drafting of SANS 10160-5 on Basis of Geotechnical
Design and Actions. It also describes the Candidate's work with the ISSMGE Technical
Committee TC23 dealing with limit states design. Part 4 deals with the Candidate's contribution
to other codes and standards and his role on various committees of the Engineering Council of
South Africa and the South African Bureau of Standards.
The final part of the dissertation provides an overview of the process followed in making such
contributions, highlighting the role played by curiosity and a desire to share the knowledge
gained with others in the profession. It continues by identifying work that still needs to be done
in many of the areas where contributions have been made and concludes with a statement of
what the candidate would still like to achieve during the remainder of his career. The Candidate gratefully acknowledges the generous opportunities afforded to him by his
colleagues at work and the invaluable guidance and mentorship received from fellow
professionals in academia and practice. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geotegniese ingenieurswese is 'n relatiewe jong wetenskap en een met vele kennisgapings en
waarin daar nog talle vrae onbeantwoord bly. Daarby is geotegniese materiale uniek tot elke
terrein waarop werk aangepak word en die produk van 'n kombinasie van prosesse; insluitend
geologie, geomorfologie, klimaats toestande, topografie, plantegroei en menslike aktiwiteite.
Daar is dus nog ruim geleentheid vir innoverende bydraes.
Hierdie verhandeling beskryf die Kandidaat se bydraes tot Geotegniese Ingenieurswese in
Suid-Afrika oor die afgelope 40 jaar. Dit beskryf 'n drie-voudige benadering wat in die meeste
van die bydraes gevolg is. Die eerste stap is om die probleem te definieer en te omskryf in
terme van die ondersoek wat geloods moet word, asook die noodsaaklikheid vir die
ontwikkeling van nuwe tegnologie teenoor die konsolidasie van bestaande inligting. Tydens die
tweede stap word die probleem ondersoek en 'n oplossing ontwikkel. Die derde stap is om die
resultate te deel met die geotegniese bedryf by wyse van publikasies, voorleggings by
konferensies en seminare, en insluiting in praktykkodes en standaarde.
Deel 1 beskryf die opwindende werksomstandighede waarbinne geotegniese ingenieurs hul
bevind. Dit word geken aan die ope samewerking tussen belanghebbende partye; onder
andere ingenieurs, ingenieursgeoloë, kontrakteurs, verskaffers en akademici. Deel 1
beklemtoon ook die parallelle rolle wat vertolk word deur akademici en praktiserende ingenieurs
en hoe beide partye bydraes maak tot die ontwikkeling en verspreiding van tegnologie. Deel 2
beskryf die Kandidaat se bydraes tot verskeie navorsingsvelde; waaronder probleemgrondtoestande
(dolomiet, swellende kleie, ongekonsolideerde opvullings ens.), laterale
ondersteuning, ontwerp en konstruksie van heipale, beroepsveiligheid, en samewerking met
internasionale organisasies. Deel 3 beskryf die Kandidaat se betrokkenheid by die
bekendstelling van limietstaat geotegniese ontwerp in die Suid-Afrikaanse bedryf wat uitgeloop
het op die samestelling van SANS 10160-5 Basis of Geotechnical Design and Actions. Dit
beskryf ook die Kandidaat se samewerking met die ISSMGE Technical Committee TC23 wat te
make het met limietstaat ontwerp. Deel 4 beskryf die Kandidaat se bydraes tot ander kodes en
standaarde en die rolle wat hy vertolk het op verskeie komitees van die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad
vir Ingenieurswese asook van die Suid-Afrikaanse Buro van Standaarde.
Die laaste deel van die verhandeling bied „n oorsig oor die proses wat gevolg is in bostaande
bydraes met die klem op die rol van weetgierigheid en die begeerte om sulke kennis te deel met
ander belanghebbendes. Om af te sluit, identifiseer die Kandidaat oorblywende tekortkominge
in baie van die vraagstukke waar hy bydraes gelewer het en gee 'n opsomming van wat hy
graag nog sal wil bereik tydens die verdere verloop van sy loopbaan. Die Kandidaat gee met dank erkenning aan sy kollegas vir die ruim geleenthede wat hom
gebied is en die waardevolle leiding en mentorskap wat hy ontvang het van mede praktiserende
ingenieurs en akademici.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/79868 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Day, Peter William |
| Contributors | Retief, J. V., Van Zijl, G. P. A. G., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Civil Engineering. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | xii, 199 p. : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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