Celebrating World Engineering Day

We marked World Engineering Day with a compelling webinar series showcasing engineering excellence in action, from critical infrastructure repair to future-focused energy solutions. Featuring projects such as the N1 Sinkhole Repair for South African National Roads Agency Limited and the Battery Energy Storage Systems initiative for Eskom, the series highlighted the innovation, resilience, and technical expertise shaping South Africa’s infrastructure landscape. Read more to explore the key insights and impact of these landmark projects

World Engineering Day Webinar Series – N1 Sinkhole Repiar for Sanral by Zutari

We hosted a World Engineering Day webinar, on 31 March, celebrating the N1 Sinkhole Repair Project, delivered by Zutari for the South African National Roads Agency Limited. The session was facilitated by Katiso Mokoena, CESA YPF Free State Chairperson and Civil Engineer at Bigen, and featured presentations by Savannah Canto, Geotechnical Engineer, and Annemie Swart, Geometric Design Engineer, both from Zutari.

The webinar reflected on the formation of a 16 x 8 metre sinkhole in January 2022 along the N1/R21 interchange, a critical transport corridor carrying approximately 85 000 vehicles daily and connecting Pretoria and Johannesburg. Insights from the geotechnical investigations highlighted poor subsurface conditions and cavity-prone areas, with safety constraints limiting investigations to the surrounding zones. The scale of intervention was underscored by the significant volume of grout used was equivalent to nearly seven Olympic-sized swimming pools – revealing the extent of underlying instability.

The session further detailed the pavement engineering response, with Swart outlining the reconstruction of approximately 97 metres of primary pavement directly affected by the sinkhole, alongside the rehabilitation of a 280-metre secondary section following grouting works. Initially scoped for surface-level repairs, the presence of grout-induced heave necessitated a revised and more robust design approach.

The final solution involved partial reconstruction using Bitumen Treated Base layers of varying thicknesses, topped with a 50 mm asphalt surfacing layer to restore structural integrity and ride quality. An integrated methodology, combining compaction grouting across a 300-metre stretch with pavement rehabilitation, ensured both immediate stabilisation and long-term performance of the roadway, demonstrating a high level of engineering innovation, adaptability, and technical excellence.

Click here to watch the webinar on CE-tv.

Katiso Mokoena: CESA YPF Free State Chairperson and Civil Engineer at Bigen

Savannah Canto: Geotechnical Engineer at Zutari

Annemie Swart: Geometric Design Engineer at Zutari

World Engineering Day Webinar Series – BESS Phase 1 project delivered for Eskom by WSP

We hosted a World Engineering Day webinar, on 4 March, focusing on the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Phase 1 project delivered for Eskom by WSP. The session was facilitated by Ashlann Ganass, Civil Engineering Technologist at JTN Consulting and CESA KZN YPF Chair, and featured insights from Dinesh Buldoo and Andrew Galbraith of WSP, alongside contributions from Mfundi Songo, Senior Manager for Substations at Eskom. The discussion highlighted the critical role of BESS in enabling a more flexible, stable, and reliable energy network, with systems designed to optimise charging across the grid and support the integration of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower. The project scope demonstrated WSP’s multidisciplinary involvement, including engineering, procurement, construction management, and project management services, with each site carefully optimised to meet its specific operational requirements.

Further insights unpacked the scale and impact of the project, noting that the Skaapvlei facility (80MW/320MWh) ranks among the largest BESS sites in South Africa, while the Hex site (Package 3B) was the first to achieve Operational Acceptance. The project also delivered meaningful socio-economic benefits, with approximately 250 local jobs created at peak construction and participation from 10 SMMEs. A strong focus was placed on future-proofing the network, with proactive planning around grid integration, compliance, and evolving technologies. In addition, over 300 Eskom personnel received online training in BESS technology, supported by further in-person programmes to strengthen long-term operational capacity.

The session concluded by highlighting the expansion potential of Phase 2, which is set to contribute additional capacity to the national grid and further support South Africa’s transition towards a more resilient and sustainable energy future.

Click here to watch the webinar on CE-tv.