River hydraulics, rock scour, design of large hydraulic structures

Email: abosman2@sun.ac.za

Phone: 021 808 4356

Office: S3039

Short Bio

Adèle Bosman is a lecturer in Hydraulics Engineering at the Stellenbosch University. She holds a BEng, MSc and PhD (civil engineering), all from Stellenbosch University. For the past 12 year she specialised in the design of Hydraulic Structures, and River and Reservoir hydrodynamic modelling and rock sour studies. Previously she worked for Aurecon for five year, where she was involved mainly in the design of water and wastewater treatment plants.

Education/Qualifications

BEng (Civil), MSc (Civil), PhD (Civil)

Professional Experience

2009-2013: Engineer, Aurecon Cape Town
2013 – 2023: Lecturer: Stellenbosch University, Department of Civil Engineering
2024 – present: Senior Lecturer: Stellenbosch University, Department of Civil Engineering

Honours, Awards, Memberships

Member of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA)
Awarded Best Presenter by a YPF member at the 2019 SANCOLD Conference

Research Interests

Design of Hydraulic Structures
River and reservoir hydrodynamic modelling
Sedimentation and rock scour studies
Physical and numerical modelling

Selected Publications

• Bosman A and Basson GR (2020). Physical model study of bedrock scour downstream of dams due to spillway plunging jets, Journal of South African Institute of Civil Engineering, 62(3), 36-52. ISSN 1021-2019.
• Bosman A and Basson GR (2019). Rock scour hole equilibrium geometry prediction for plunging jets at dams. SANCOLD Annual Conference: Sustainable long-term dam infrastructure development and management, Benoni, South Africa, 6-8 November.
• Bosman A, Basson GR, Bosman DE (2016). Hydraulic model study of the blowback behaviour of the bottom outlet of the Berg River Dam, South Africa. Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, 58(1), 43-52.

Teaching

Hydraulic Structures 424 and Hydraulics 354

Traffic Engineering, Transportation Planning, ITS

Email: mbruwer@sun.ac.za

Phone: 021 808 4080

Office: S3026

Short Bio

Megan Bruwer is a transportation engineer and qualified with a B.Eng degree in civil engineering in 2008 and an M.Eng degree in transportation engineering in 2010, both cum-laude, from Stellenbosch University. After qualifying, Megan worked as a consultantengineer, involved in the design of rural and metropolitan public transport systems and road based traffic accommodation for new developments. Megan joined the Civil Engineering Department of Stellenbosch University as a lecturer in transportation engineering and the project coordinator of the Stellenbosch Smart Mobility Laboratory (SSML) in January 2015. Since returning to academia full time, Megan has enjoyed and excelled in her role as a lecturer. In 2017 she was awarded the Teaching Excellence Award presented by the Dean of the Engineering Faculty, recognising Teaching and Learning Scholarship, curriculum development and positive student feedback.

Honours, Awards, Memberships

Awards:
2017: Teaching Excellence Award
2017: SAICE Award for best paper by a young professional at the Southern African Transport Conference

Memberships:
Engineering Council of South Africa: Candidate Engineer
South African Institution of Civil Engineering:Member
South African Society for Engineering Education:Member

Research Interests

Megan’s research interests include traffic flow theory and the application of Floating Car Data in the developing country context. She is currently completing a PhD in this field.

Selected Publications

Bruwer, MM; Bester, CJ; Viljoen, ES (2019). The influence of gradient on saturation flow rate at signalised intersections. Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, 2019:61(2), Johannesburg: SAICE
Sinclair, M & Bruwer, MM (2019). The impact of prior transport-based experiences on academic interest and performance– a case study of undergraduate students in Transport Science modules at Stellenbosch University. Proceedings of the 8th Research in Engineering Education Symposium 2019, Cape Town, South Africa. Pp 654-663.
JM Schmidt, SJ Andersen & MM Bruwer. Traffic Impact of the It’s Time Event. Proceedings of the 37th Southern African Transport Conference 2018, Pretoria, South Africa Bruwer, M. &Weichenmeier, F., 2017. Adaptive Signal control using PTV Balance and PTV Epics for Application in a Developing Country. Livingstone, 8th Africa Transportation Technology Transfer Conference.
Olivier, W., Andersen, S. & Bruwer, M., 2017. Incident Analysis using Probe Data. Pretoria, 36th Southern African Transport Convference.

International Collaborations

University Staff Doctoral Programme with the University of Bath

Teaching

Transportation Science 324
Transportation Science 364 (Geometric Design)

Geotechnical Engineering

Email: taliaburke@sun.ac.za

Phone: 021 808 4643

Office: S3018

Short Bio

Dr Talia da Silva Burke is a senior lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering the Department of Civil Engineering. She completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge where she conducted centrifuge modelling to investigate how geosynthetic-reinforced soils respond to the formation of underground voids (e.g. sinkholes). She has experience as a consulting engineer in South Africa and as a research associate in the UK. Talia’s research interests are related to arching in granular soils, sinkhole deformation mechanisms, geosynthetics and fibre-optic monitoring. She is registered as a professional engineer under the Engineering Council of South Africa and is passionate about teaching and training future engineers to serve society.

Education/Qualifications

PhD (University of Cambridge)
BEng Hons Geotechnical Engineering (University of Pretoria)
BEng (University of Pretoria)

Honours, Awards, Memberships

Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA): Professional Engineer, Registration Number 20150015
International Geosynthetics Society (IGS): Member
Higher Education Academy: Associate Fellow (Ref: PR173655)
Awarded the Vice Chancellor and Principal’s medal for the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and information Technology on completion of undergraduate studies.

Research Interests

Physical modelling
Geosynthetics
Geo-environmental engineering
Sinkholes
Fibre Optic Monitoring
Engineering education

Teaching

Geotechnique 254

Pavement Engineering, Bitumen Rheology, Numerical Modelling & Machine Learning

Email: esgoosen@sun.ac.za

Office: S3024

Short Bio

After graduating from Stellenbosch University with her BEng in civil engineering, Dr Goosen started as a graduate and assistant resident engineer in roads and stormwater. The majority of her time was spent on the upgrade of the N7 between Algeria and Clanwilliam. She later completed her PhD in Pavement Engineering and accepted a position as a Lecturer in Civil Engineering. Currently, her research focuses on the rheology, durability and performance of bitumen. She encourages the use of numerical modelling, optimisation and machine learning as research problem-solving tools.

Education/Qualifications

PhD and BEng in Civil Engineering at Stellenbosch University
Civil Engineering Exchange at Technische Universiteit Delft

Professional Experience

Assistant Resident Engineer for the Upgrade of the N7 between Algeria and Clanwilliam for the Roads & Storm Water Division at WorleyParsons (RSA).
Graduate Engineer in the Roads & Storm Water Division at WorleyParsons (RSA).

Honours, Awards, Memberships

2019 Zuid-Afrikahuis Scholarship holder
2018 – 2020 Wilhelm Frank Scholarship holder
2016 – 2017 SANRAL Bursary holder
2016 – SATC Best Student Paper
2011 SAICE Student Chapter Chair
2008 – 2011 Kv3 Bursary holder
2008 – Golden Key Member
2008 Best Civil Engineering Student in Professional Communication

Research Interests

Bitumen Rheology and Durability
Numerical Modelling and Optimisation
Machine Learning in Pavement Engineering Materials
Sustainability in Pavement Engineering Materials
New Pavement Technology

Teaching

Civil Engineering 224
Transportation Science 434

Characterisation and modelling of geomaterials for global stability and seepage assessments

Email: macrobert@sun.ac.za

Phone: 021 808 4079

Office: S4011

Download CV |

Short Bio

Dr Charles John MacRobert Pr Eng, is a Senior Lecturer of Geotechnical Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering at Stellenbosch University. His research interests lie predominantly in the characterisation and modelling of geomaterials for global stability and seepage assessments. A particular emphasis of his research is understanding the role of engineering judgement in dealing with epistemic uncertainty, which often abounds in practice due to limited resources. Charles also provides specialised consulting support to practicing engineers, both to carry out practice-oriented research and to confidently teach both the professional practice and art of engineering.

Education/Qualifications

Dr Charles John MacRobert, received his BSc (Eng) from the University of Cape Town, and both his MSc (Eng) and PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Professional Experience

As well as being an academic, he is active as a consultant, on the characterisation and modelling of geomaterials for global stability and seepage assessments, with particular emphasis on industrial and mining residue facilities.

Honours, Awards, Memberships

2019 International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) Bright Spark Lecture 2019
2010 Barry van Wyk Award awarded by the South Africa Intuition of Civil Engineers Geotechnical Division
Member of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE)
Member of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE)
Member of the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA)

Research Interests

Global stability and seepage assessments
Characterisation and modelling of geomaterials
Engineering judgement and decision making

Selected Publications

Stark, T.D., MacRobert C.J., and Hayter S.A. (2021) Liquefied Strength Ratio for Eight Laboratory-Tested Sandy Soils. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering 147.2(2021):04020165.

Stark, T. D., and MacRobert, C. J. (2021). Liquefied Strength Ratio with Stress Densification and Low Stresses. Canadian Geotechnical Journal. 10.1139/cgj-2018-0730

MacRobert, C.J. (2020) A study of problem complexity and expertise in making judgement decisions for waste cover and tailings dam safety. Australian Geomechanics Journal 55(3):37-49

Pathmanandavel, S. & MacRobert, C.J. (2020) Digitisation, sustainability, and disruption – promoting a more balanced debate on risk in the geotechnical community, Georisk: Assessment and Management of Risk for Engineered Systems and Geohazards, DOI: 10.1080/17499518.2020.1790012

See CV for a complete list of publications

International Collaborations

Liquefaction assessment and modelling with Prof Timothy Stark
Impacts of digitisation on geotechnical practice with Sukumar Pathmanandavel

Teaching

Applied Geomechanics
Advanced Design
Géotechnique 2

Transportation Safety

Email: msinclair@sun.ac.za

Phone: 021 808 3838

Office: S4013

Download CV |

Short Bio

Prof Marion Sinclair hasover eighteen years working in road safety; spread between road safetyplanning and implementation in the United Kingdom, and within research and teaching of Road Safety in South Africa. With a background in Urban Design (Wits University, South Africa; University of Washington, USA), and specific interest in human factors and vulnerable road users, she has unique exposure to the causes and solutions of road crashes in both developed and developing economies. She was appointed as a Research Associate to the Department in 2009, and in 2014 took up the post of Associate Professor in Road Safety and Transportation Engineering. She leads research into finding ways of better protecting road users in South Africa, particularly pedestrians and disabled road users, through improved road design, appropriate standards and policies regarding traffic management.

Research Interests

Pedestrian safety, universal accessibility, psychological impacts of design standards on users; smarter and safer transportation options.

Selected Publications

1. Sinclair, M. 2013, “Attitudes, norms and driving behaviour: A comparison of young drivers in South Africa and Sweden”, Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, vol. 20, no. 0, pp. 170-181.
2. Van Hoving, D., Sinclair, M., Wallis,L. 2013, “Patterns of seatbelt use in different socioeconomic communities in the Cape Town Metropole, South Africa”, South African Medical Journal, vol. 103, no. 9.
3. Sinclair, M., 2013. “The promotion of road safety by healthcare professionals in South Africa.” South African Medical Journal 2013;103(9):614-615.
4. Sinclair, M. 2013. “Seatbelt legislation in South Africa – failing to uphold the rights of children”.Stellenbosch Law Review, 2013,3, 24.
5. AkokuEbot Eno Akpa N, Booysen MJ, Sinclair MD. A comparative evaluation of the impact of average speed enforcement (ASE) on passenger and minibus taxi vehicle drivers on the R61 in South Africa. Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering 2016; 58(4):2-10.
6. AkokuEbot Eno Akpa N, Booysen MJ, Sinclair MD. Auditory intelligent speed adaption for long distance informal public transport in South Africa. IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Magazine 2016; 8(2):53-64.7. Sinclair MD, Zuidgeest DR. Investigations into pedestrian crossing choices on Cape Town freeways. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour 2016; 42(1369-8478):479-494.
8. Tamar Ben-Bassat, David Shinar, Raquel Almqvist, Jeff K. Caird, Robert E. Dewar, Esko Lehtonen, Paul M. Salmon, Marion Sinclair, HeikkiSummala, Lidia Zakowska & Gabriel Liberman (2019)Expert evaluation of traffic signs: conventional vs. alternative designs, Ergonomics 62:6,734-747

Teaching

Responsible for teaching road safety to undergraduate and postgraduate civil engineering students, and for Communications and Problem-solving skills to second year undergraduate students.

Port & coastal engineering, coastal erosion & flooding, estuarine dynamics, climate change

Email: aktheron@sun.ac.za

Phone: 072 477 3432

Office: S3044

Short Bio

Andre Theron is a senior lecturer in port, coastal and water engineering at University of Stellenbosch (US). He holds a PhD and MEng (both US) and has specialised in port and coastal engineering for the past 30 years. His fields of expertise are port and coastal engineering, coast and estuarine hydro- & sediment-dynamics, and coastal environmental studies. He started his career at Department of Water Affairs, then went to CSIR and joined US in 2015.

Education/Qualifications

PhD Civil (Coastal) engineering – University of Stellenbosch 2016
M.Eng Water (Port & Coastal) engineering – University of Stellenbosch2004
B.Eng Civil engineering – University of Stellenbosch 1981

Professional Experience

Specialist (30 years’ experience) on: port & coastal engineering, nearshore hydrodynamics, sediment transport, coastal erosion, planning and design of port & coastal developments, coastal protection, estuarine hydro- and sediment-dynamics, and coastal physical environmental studies/impacts.
Expertise (6 years’ experience) on: planning and design of irrigation schemes, operation of water supply schemes and purification plants, construction of rural water supply schemes and purification plant, planning of water resource developments.

Research Interests

Port & coastal engineering, nearshore hydrodynamics, sediment transport, coastal erosion& flooding, planning and design of port & coastal developments, coastal protection, estuarine hydro- and sediment-dynamics, coastal physical environmental impact studies, and coastal climate change impacts.

Selected Publications

Barwell L, Theron A K and Rossouw M. (2014). Responding to Coastal Climate Change in Mozambique, a Low Data Availability Context. Paper presentation at 2014 PIANC World Congress, San Francisco, USA, June 1 -5, 2014. pp 19
Booysen Z and Theron A K. (2020). Methods for predicting berm height at Temporarily Open/Closed Estuaries. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Volume 245, 2020, 106906, ISSN 0272-7714, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106906.
Nel JL, Le Maitre DC, Nel DC, Reyers B, Archibald S, van Wilgen BW, Forsyth GG, Theron AK, et al. (2014) Natural Hazards in a Changing World: A Case for Ecosystem-Based Management. PLoS ONE 9(5): e95942. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0095942
Rautenbach, C., Theron, A.K., Joubert, W. and Van Niekerk, L. (2017). Coastal Zone (Chapter 9: 91-99). In Davis-Reddy, C.L. and Vincent, K. 2017. Climate Risk and Vulnerability: A Handbook for Southern Africa (2nd Ed), CSIR, Pretoria, South Africa. Pp202. ISBN 978-0-620-76522-0 (electronic version).
Rautenbach C. and Theron A.K. (2018). Study of the Durban Bight shoreline evolution under schematised climate change and sand-bypassing scenarios. Journal of the South African Institute of Civil Engineering. December 2018:60(4), Art. #0273, Pages 2–15. ISSN 1021-2019, http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2309-8775/2018/v60n4a1
Schoonees, J S and Theron, A K (1993). Review of the field-data base for longshore sediment transport. Coastal Eng. Journal, Vol. 19: 1-25.
Schoonees, J S and Theron, A K (1995). Evaluation of 10 cross-shore sediment transport/ morphological models. Coastal Eng. Journal, Vol. 25: 1-41.
Schoonees J.S. and Theron A.K. (2018). Small Coastal Stormwater Outlets: Literature Review and Design Guidelines. P22:A35. 13pp. 82nd IMESA Conference, Port Elizabeth 30 October 2018 – 02 November 2018. South Africa.
Taljaard S, Slinger JH, Morant PD, Theron AK, Van Niekerk L, Van der Merwe J. (2012). Implementing Integrated Coastal Management in a Sector-Based Governance System. (Journal) Ocean & Coastal Management 67 (2012) 39-53. Elsevier. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2012.06.003
Theron, A K (1994). Sea level rise, impacts and the use of Bruun’s erosion rule. Journal SA InstCivEng, Vol 36, No 3, Fourth Quarter 1994: 6-10.
Theron, A K, Diedericks G, Maherry A and Rossouw M (2010). Potential impacts of climate change on the coastal zone: How far from the sea should we be? (Book chapter) In SA Risk & Vulnerability Atlas, DST (& CSIR) Pretoria. ISBN 978-0-620-45659-3
Theron, A K. (2011). “Climate change, sea level rise and the southern African coastal zone: a general revue of causes, consequences and possible responses.” (Book chapter) In: Observations on Environmental Change in South Africa (editor Larry Zietsman). DST & SAEON, Sun Press. ISBN 978-1-920338-24-4.
Theron AK, Barwell LB, Rossouw M, Maherry A, (2012). Coastal Planning and Adaptation to Mitigate Climate Change Impacts – Responding to Climate Change in Mozambique (Phase II, Theme 2). Report prepared for National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC) by CSIR, CSIR Stellenbosch, South Africa. pp 266.
Theron AK, Diedericks G, Wilms J and Bergman S. (2012). Specialist Study: Coastal Marine and Terrestial Sediment Dynamics; Environmental Impact Assessment Report, Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project, Walvis Bay, Namibia. CSIR Report ENV-S-C 2012-AT1, CSIR, Stellenbosch, South Africa. pp 115.
Theron AK, Brinkmann B, Koppe B, Werth K and Phelp D. (2013). Technical adaptation options to progressive coastal development (focussing on the development of sustainable as well as environmental-friendly, adaptive and cost-effective technical protection measures for sandy shorelines) NRF Project Report PTA GEN#224081. Funded by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa. A joint 3 year research programme between: Leuphana University Lüneburg; CSIR, NAUE GmbH & Co. KG. / BauberatungGeokunststoffe GmbH & Co. KG, University of Stellenbosch.
Theron, A K. (2015). Coastal flooding levels in South Africa. 12th CoastGIS Symposium 22-24 April 2015 Cape Town, South Africa. http://coastgis2015.co.za/index.php/CoastGIS/Coastgis2015/index.
Theron A.K. and Basson G.R. (2018). Reservoir Sedimentation and Potential Impact of the Proposed Smithfield Dam on the Umkhomazi River on the Coastal Sediment Budget and Shoreline Stability. Sustainable Dam Engineering In An Ever-Changing World, Somerset West, South Africa, South African National Committee on Large Dams 2018: 125-134.
Whitfield AK, GC Bate, JB Adams, PD Cowley, PW Froneman, PT Gama, NA Strydom, S Taljaard, AK Theron, JK Turpie, L Van Niekerk and TH Wooldridge. (2012). A review of the ecology and management of temporarily open/closed estuaries in South Africa, with particular emphasis on river flow and mouth state as primary drivers of these systems. African Journal of Marine Science 2012, 34(2). NISC (Pty) Ltd and Taylor & Francis, South Africa. ISSN 1814-232X EISSN 1814-2338, http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2012.675041

Teaching

Hydraulic Engineering 424;Advanced Design 446;Physical & Numerical Modelling W03-2;Coasts, Ports and the Environment W03-4;Port Management W04-2;Environmental Engineering 454;Hydrology 424

Adjunct Associate Professor
Bridge Engineering and Renewable Energy Structures

Email: pierrevds@sun.ac.za

Short Bio

Pierre is an Adjunct Associate Professor as well as an Associate with Zutari. He is registered as a Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa and is a member of SAICE, IABSE and IABMAS. His research interests include topics in bridge engineering in particular traffic load modelling for bridge design. As a practicing engineer he specialises in bridge analysis and design, including non-linear finite element modelling of reinforced and prestressed concrete bridges. The types of bridges include incrementally launched bridges, precast segmental balanced cantilever bridges, long span arch bridges, prestressed box girder bridges, prestressed voided slab bridges, prestressed precast beam and slab bridges and normal reinforced concrete bridges. He also has experience in analysis and design of coastal structures and renewable energy structures. Renewable energy structures mainly consist of wind turbine foundations for which he is one of the leading designers in South Africa and the African continent. He has presented courses to industry on this topic.

Education/Qualifications

BEng (SU), MEng (UCT), PhD (Stell)

Professional Experience

2009 to 2015 : Aurecon (Structural Engineer)
2015 to 2016 : BVi (Bridge Design Line Manager)
2016 to 2019 : Aurecon (Senior Bridge Engineer)
2017 to 2019 : Stellenbosch University (Adjunct Senior Lecturer and PhD candidate)
2020 : Aurecon Dubai (Principal Engineer)
2020 to current : Zutari (previously Aurecon) (Associate)
2021 to current : Stellenbosch University (Adjunct Associate Professor)

Honours, Awards, Memberships

SAICE South African Young Engineer of the Year 2017
South African Institution of Civil Engineering National Technical Excellence award – Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement for the Olifants River Arch Bridge (design engineer)
Concrete Society of South Africa Fulton Award – Best Infrastructure Project >R 100 million for the new Olifants River Arch Bridge (design engineer)
South African Institution of Civil Engineering Regional Award – Best Structure for the new Olifants River Arch Bridge (design engineer)
South African Institution of Civil Engineering Regional Award – Technical Excellence for the new Olifants River Arch Bridge (design engineer)
Consulting Engineers South Africa Engineering Excellence Award – Best Project with a value above R 250 million for the Ramp E Incrementally Launched Bridge (design engineer)
Concrete Society of South Africa Fulton Award – Commendation for Ramp E Incrementally Launched Bridge (design engineer)
South African Institution of Civil Engineering Structural Division Award for the Ramp E Incrementally Launched Bridge (design engineer)
Engineering Council of South Africa’s medal for the best student over 4 years in engineering across all disciplines at Stellenbosch University for the period 2005 – 2008
Best second year student in Civil Engineering (2006)
Best third year student in Civil Engineering (2007)
Best second year student in Civil Engineering Informatics (2006)
Best third year student in Civil Engineering Informatics (2007)
Best third year student in Concrete Design (2007)
Best fourth year student in Transportation Engineering (2008)
SAICE Award for the student that made the largest contribution to the advancement of the Civil Engineering industry in South Africa

Research Interests

Bridge engineering and renewable energy structures

Selected Publications

• Van der Spuy, PF & Lenner, R. (2018). Developing a new bridge live load model for South Africa. International Association for Bridge Maintenance and Safety (IABMAS). Melbourne: Taylor & Francis
• Van der Spuy, PF & Lenner, R. (2019). Towards a new bridge live load model for South Africa. Structural Engineering International. DOI: 10.1080/10168664.2018.1561168
• Van der Spuy, PF & Lenner, R. (2019). Multiple lane reduction factors based on multiple lane weigh in Motion data. Structures.
• Van der Spuy, PF & Niehaus, H. (2018). Strengthening, rehabilitation and widening of the existing arch bridge on national route 7 over the Olifants River, South Africa. International Conference on Concrete Repair, Retrofitting and Rehabilitation. Cape Town: Matec Web of Conferences.
• Viljoen, D, Schrecker, M & Van der Spuy, PF. (2018). Rehabilitation of the Port Nolloth Jetty. International Conference on Concrete Repair, Retrofitting and Rehabilitation. Cape Town: Matec Web of Conferences.
• Van der Spuy, PF & Lenner, R. (2019). Establishing the effect of the tail length on extrapolation when fitted to WIM data. RILEM SMSS 2019. Croatia: RILEM Publications S.A.R.L
• Van der Spuy, PF & Lenner, R. (2019). Dynamic amplification factor for South African Bridges. Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation. Cape Town: Taylor & Francis
• Van der Spuy, PF, Lenner, R, De Wet, T & Caprani, C. (2019). Multilane Reduction Factors Based on WIM Data. Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation. Cape Town: Taylor & Francis
• Van der Spuy, PF & Niehaus, H. (2019). Design of the Olifants River arch bridge in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation. Cape Town: Taylor & Francis
• Meyer, MW, Lenner, R & Van der Spuy, PF. (2019). The development of a vehicle-bridge interaction model for South African traffic. Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation. Cape Town: Taylor & Francis
• Lenner, R, Basson, SE, Sykora, M & Van der Spuy, PF. (2021). Reliability performance of bridges designed according to TMH7 NA Load model. Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering.
• Van der Spuy, PF & Lenner, R. (2021). Reliability calibration of a bridge traffic load model. Fib Symposium. Lisbon.
• Boros, V, Lenner, R, O’Connor, A, Orcesi, A, Schmidt, F, Van der Spuy, PF & Sykora, M. (2021). Traffic loads for existing bridges. IABSE Congress. Ghent.

Teaching

Advanced Design 446 (structures)
Final Year Project 458

Material development, characterization, durability, 3D printing

Email: asvr@sun.ac.za

Phone: 021 808 9510

Office: S3040

Education/Qualifications

PhD (Civil Engineering) Stellenbosch University – 2020
MSc (Civil Engineering) Stellenbosch University – 2013
BEng (Civil Engineering) Stellenbosch University – 2010

Professional Experience

Lecturer: Department of Civil Engineering, Stellenbosch University 2013-

Honours, Awards, Memberships

The Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) prize for the most deserving work in the field of Concrete Engineering, Stellenbosch University, 2020

Research Interests

My research is focused on structural lightweight foamed concrete (LWFC). The goal of the research is to use LWFC as an energy efficient construction material. Durability aspects of LWFC, fracture mechanics, Fiber reinforced concrete, alkali activated materials (alternative concretes) and 3D printing of concrete are also an interest of mine.

Selected Publications

A list of my publications can be found on my Google Scholar profile.

Teaching

Strength of Materials 143

Risk-based decision making, Structural design and Standardisation, Structural Reliability.

Email: celesteviljoen@sun.ac.za

Phone: 021 808 4444

Office: S3038

Short Bio

Prof Viljoen is passionate about the training of engineering students, graduates and professionals as a driver of economic progress, environmental sustainability and reducing social inequalities. She currently serves as vice-dean: Teaching in the Faculty of Engineering.

Education/Qualifications

PhD (Structural Engineering)

Honours, Awards, Memberships

ECSA PrEng; Fellow of SAICE, Member of various SABS technical committees.

Research Interests

Risk-based decision making; Structural design and Standardisation; Structural Reliability.
Prof Viljoen is a specialist in structural design and reliability. Her research informs standardisation of structural design, including the basis of design; quantification of wind loads; serviceability of liquid retaining structures; reinforced concrete design; and assessment of existing structures. She further contributes by translating research findings and insight into practice through standardisation and the presentation of Continued Professional Development courses.

Selected Publications

Link to ORCID or Scopus:
Orcid Author ID: 0000-0002-4652-7452
Scopus Author ID: 55802382300

International Collaborations

Joint Committee for Structural Safetyhttps://www.jcss-lc.org/; Member of ISO TC 98/SC 2/WG 11 for the revision of ISO 13824.

Teaching

Undergraduate:
Strength of Materials 143; Structural Design 354; Advanced Design 446;
Postgraduate:
Probability and Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering; Continuum Mechanics and Finite Element Analysis
Continued Professional Development:
Wind Loads on Structures;Design of Liquid Retaining Structures; Basis of Design; Assessment of Existing Structures; Construction Risk Management.

Traffic and Transport Engineering, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), Internet of Things (IoT), Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

Email: visagiec@sun.ac.za

Phone: 021 808 4355

Office: S3022

Short Bio

Following her undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering, Dr Claudia Visagie undertook the shift to transport science and completed both her master and doctoral studies in Civil Engineering at Stellenbosch University. Since then, she has gained extensive experience in the transport domain working on both local and international projects. However, with her roots grounded in academia, she rejoined the academic environment in 2022. Currently, she is working as a lecturer at Civil Engineering at Stellenbosch University and aspires to become a professor.

Education/Qualifications

PhD (Civil – Transport). Stellenbosch University, 2016
MScEng Cum Laude (Civil – Transport), Stellenbosch University, 2012
BEng (Industrial), Stellenbosch University, 2010

Professional Experience

Dr Claudia Visagie is a young academic having 3 years lecturing experience. Prior to this, she worked in the transport consulting engineering environment for 5 years. Her skills and expertise range from Business Intelligence Management (Data Mining and Governance), Performance Measurement and Management, Transport Engineering (including Transport Planning and Transport Network Modelling), ITS applications as well as Business Process Modelling and Re-engineering.

Honours, Awards, Memberships

Member of ECSA, SAIIE, ITS SA

Research Interests

Smart Cities (including smart mobility).
Mobility 4.0 (including electric mobility and Mobility as a Service (MaaS)).
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) solutions for developing countries.
Paratransit applications in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Internet of Things (IoT) and Fourth Industrial Revolution 4IR (with focus on Big Data).
Sustainable and clean transport solutions considering UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Selected Publications

C. B. Struwig and S. J. Andersen, 2014, ‘Performance Measurement Trends in the implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) within the South African Transport Environment’, Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on the use of Mobile Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Africa UMICTA, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
C. B. Struwig and S. J. Andersen, 2014, ‘The development of a generic step-wise framework for achieving a multimodal platform in a developing country environment’, Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference, Pretoria, South Africa.
C. B. Struwig and S. J. Andersen, 2013, ‘Challenges in providing Integrated Traveler Information in a Developing Country Environment’, Proceedings of the 16th International IEEE Annual Conference on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITSC), The Hague, The Netherlands.
Struwig, C.B., Ruthven, G.A. and Von Leipzig, K., 2013, ‘The application of design criteria for locating a hub configured supply chain for a restaurant cluster in the Stellenbosch area’, Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management. Vol. 7, No. 1.

Teaching

Transport Science 324

Laboratories Manager

Email: gpnel@sun.ac.za

Phone: +27 21 808 4347

Office: S2116

Short Bio

Obtained bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Stellenbosch, before entering the road construction environment with Roadmac Surfacing. Roadmac Surfacing specialises in bituminous surfacing. He returned to Stellenbosch University in a permanent capacity as the Pavement and Geotechnical Research Laboratory manager and will also peruse further studies starting with his master’s degree.

Education/Qualifications

BEng (Cum Laude) Civil Engineering at University of Stellenbosch

Professional Experience

Four years at Roadmac Surfacing construction

Extraordinary Associate Professor
Geospatial techniques, Interdisciplinary studies, Fire safety, Geoscience

Email: lgibson@sun.ac.za

Office: S3043

Short Bio

Lesley is a geographer with a particular interest in geospatial science and its application across disciplines. She has worked in disciplines such as geology, groundwater, nature conservation, agriculture and the built environment. The topic of her PhD involved the use of remote sensing to estimate evapotranspiration and her Masters dissertation focussed on wetland mapping with remote sensing. She spent over three years at University of Edinburgh, UK, where she was a postdoctoral researcher in fire safety for international development. Here she was involved with the IRIS Fire project where she applied geospatial techniques to map and understand fire spread in Cape Town’s informal settlements. She is grounded both practically and academically in the use of remote sensing for multiple purposes. She has worked in a variety of settings in South Africa including science councils, a private consultancy, and a nature conservation agency. She is currently freelancing part-time as a Fire Safety Researcher at Kindling, a fire safety NPO.

Education/Qualifications

Postgraduate Certificate, Learning and Teaching Higher Education, Glasgow Caledonian University.
PhD, Environmental & Geographical Science, University of Cape Town.
MSc Geomatics, University of Cape Town.
BSc Hons Geography (GIS) & Environmental Studies, Stellenbosch University.
BSc Geography & Geology, Stellenbosch University.

Professional Experience

October 2022 – current, freelancer including Fire Safety Researcher, Kindling
August 2021 –September 2022, Specialist researcher Geoinformation, Agricultural Research Council.
2017 – 2021, Postdoctoral Research Associate in fire safety for international development, University of Edinburgh.
2016 – 2017, GIS Lecturer (0.6FTE), Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
2013 – 2015, GIS Scientist, Western Cape Nature Conservation Board, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
2012 – 2013, GIS Specialist, Geohydrological and Spatial Solutions, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
2006 – 2012, Researcher, Agricultural Research Council, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
2000 – 2006, Scientific officer, Council for Geoscience, Bellville, South Africa.

Honours, Awards, Memberships

South African Geomatics Council: Professional Geoinformation Science Practitioner (GPr GISc1379)

Research Interests

Fire safety in vulnerable communities, applied and interdisciplinary geospatial applications

Selected Publications

Flores Quiroz, N., Gibson, L. Conradie, W.S., Ryan, P., Heydenrych R, Moran, A., van Straten, A. & Walls, R. 2023. Analysis of the 2017 Knysna fires disaster with emphasis on fire spread, home losses and the influence of vegetation: a South African case study. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, vol 88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103618.
Wang, Y., Ruan, H., Xia, T. & Gibson, L. 2022. Fire Safety of Ethnic Minority Traditional Settlements in Southwest China. Fire Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-022-01333-z.
Gibson, L.A., Cicione, A., Stevens, S. & Rush, D. 2021. The influence of wind and the spatial layout of dwellings on fire spread in informal settlements in Cape Town. Computers Environment and Urban Systems 91(2), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2021.101734.
McDougall, Brown, Thomson, Hanley, Tully, Quilliam, Bartie, Gibson, L. A. & Oliver, D.M. 2021. From one pandemic to another: emerging lessons from COVID-19 for tackling physical inactivity in cities, Cities & Health, 5:sup1, S181-S184, DOI: 10.1080/23748834.2020.1785165
Gibson L, Rush D. 2020. Novel Coronavirus in Cape Town Informal Settlements: Feasibility of Using Informal Dwelling Outlines to Identify High Risk Areas for COVID-19 Transmission From A Social Distancing Perspective. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2020;6(2):e18844. URL: https://publichealth.jmir.org/2020/2/e18844.
Stevens, S., Gibson, L. & Rush, D. 2020. Conceptualising a GIS-based risk quantification framework for fire spread in informal settlements: A Cape Town case study. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Vol 50, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101736.
Hurst, J.E., Barn, R., Gibson, L. et al. Geospatial mapping and data linkage uncovers variability in outcomes of foot disease according to multiple deprivation: a population cohort study of people with diabetes. Diabetologia 63, 659–667 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-019-05056-9
Gibson, L., Engelbrecht, J. & Rush, D. Detecting historic informal settlement fires with Sentinel 1 and 2 satellite data – Two case studies in Cape Town. Fire Safety Journal (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2019.102828
Gibson, L.A., Munch, Z., Palmer, A.R. & Mantel, S.K. 2018. Future land cover change scenarios in South African grasslands – implications of altered biophysical drivers on land management. Heliyon Vol 4, ISSUE 7, E00693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00693
Publication record is available on ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lesley-Gibson/research

International Collaborations

University of Edinburgh, University of Science and Technology of China, University of Stirling, Kindling