Pioneering geotechnical solutions to address expansive soil challenges in Central South Africa
The group was established to address a critical regional challenge: structural damage to light buildings, particularly RDP houses, caused by founding on expansive soils in the semi-arid areas of Central South Africa. Through rigorous research and industry collaboration, SMRG develops practical, economical, and innovative solutions to mitigate heave damage and improve construction standards.
Our Research Mission
SMRG challenges traditional geotechnical assessment methods and pioneers integrated solutions to ensure safer, more resilient infrastructure.
Re-evaluating Heave Assessment
Our research has identified significant limitations in traditional heave potential assessments, such as the Van der Merwe method. We have demonstrated that current SANS 103001 testing protocols (e.g., rapid 10-minute preparation and hydrometer analysis) frequently underestimate the clay fraction and plasticity of high-plasticity clays, leading to inaccurate risk predictions.
Advancing Suction Potential Analysis
Leveraging advancements in unsaturated soil mechanics, SMRG is developing rapid, economical, and reliable procedures for assessing soil suction potential. This approach provides superior estimates of both heave potential and soil variability, which is a critical factor in structural failure.
Integrated Structural & Geotechnical Design
Rather than relying solely on expensive, heavily reinforced stiff foundations, we are pioneering flexible mortar mix designs. These mixes are engineered to meet masonry codes while accommodating significant distortion before cracking, directly addressing regional challenges in masonry compliance and material quality.
Collaboration & Partnerships
The SMRG comprises dedicated academic staff, postgraduate students, Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) students, and research fellows. Our impact is amplified through strategic partnerships that ensure our research remains practical, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.
Industry Partners
We are deeply grateful for the financial, technical, and human resource support from our industry collaborators, including GeoCalibre, Letaba Lab, Protsurv, Cem Brick, and SC Consult.
Notably, Letaba Lab has sponsored state-of-the-art geotechnical equipment (oedometers, shearboxes, and triaxials), enabling our facility to conduct testing at the rigorous level required by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS).
International Collaboration
Our research extends globally through strategic Memoranda of Understanding and collaborative projects with:
- University of East London (UK)
- Royal Academy of Engineering (UK)
- Szechenyi Istvan University (Hungary)
Enquiries & Opportunities
Whether you are a student seeking research opportunities or an industry partner requiring specialised testing, we welcome your engagement.
Academic & Research Enquiries
For information regarding:
- Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities
- Postgraduate research (M.Eng, D.Eng, and Postdoctoral fellowships in Civil Engineering)
- Online training and workshops
- Geotechnical engineering testing for academic research
Contact: Prof. Lize Theron
etheron@cut.ac.za
