Tunnelling in Southern Africa
South Africa, a country ranging from desert conditions on the West Coast to
mountainous tropical conditions on the East Coast, presents many challenges for
engineers. These challenges include road, rail and water distribution
disciplines; with the Southern and Eastern regions requiring tunnels to be
constructed as the appropriate solution. The most recent challenge is the
Lesotho Highlands Water Project; a project that has kept Southern African
tunnels in the forefront of world tunnelling technology.
Over the years, professionally qualified organizations have developed within
South Africa to deal with tunnels in all types of geology, ranging from
exceptionally hard rock to soft running sands. These organisations felt it
necessary to establish a forum where information on tunnelling technology could
be exchanged. This forum became known as the South African National Council on
Tunnelling (SANCOT).
SANCOT is a multi-disciplinary organisation devoted to the development,
co-ordination and assessment of tunnelling activities within South Africa and
has developed strong international ties through its participation in
International Tunnelling Association (ITA) activities. This ongoing
international contact has been extremely beneficial to the tunnelling industry
in South Africa. SANCOT's current President, Jim McKelvey, is presently a member
of ITA's Executive Committee.
Corporate membership of SANCOT is open to all organisations with interests in
tunnelling, from clients (tunnel owners) and consultants (tunnel designers), to
contractors (tunnel builders), suppliers, specialists and professional
organisations interested in tunnelling.
· Individual membership of the organisation is not possible other than by
means of honorary membership recognising outstanding service to SANCOT.
· Organisations, such as Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Transnet,
Johannesburg City, Durban City and Umgeni Water, are part of the Senior and
Corporate membership representing tunnel owners.
· Specialist professional societies such as the South African Institution of
Civil Engineers and the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy are
corporate members. Through this professional membership, wide dissemination of
SANCOT's activities occur via those organisations' normal communication
channels.
SANCOT meets four times per year, organises an annual technical conference,
and compiles an annual journal containing interesting and topical articles on
aspects such as construction projects, future projects, etc. SANCOT members are
also encouraged to participate in working groups, those consolidated with the
ITA groups and those with local South African topics. Specialist reports on
particular topics developed by the Council by these working groups are available
for purchase through the SANCOT office.
Recent publications include:
"Recommendations on Contractual Practices for Underground
Construction" "Guidelines for Maintenance and Repair of Underground
Structures" "State of the art in Micro Tunnelling and Pipe Jacking in
South Africa"
A database of all tunnels in counties of the Southern African Development
Community has been drawn up, now in its second edition, in which data for more
than 600 known tunnels giving type, length (or depth of shaft) and date of
completion or commissioning has been provided. This database is also available
for purchase through the SANCOT office.
SANCOT's chief objectives are the national level co-ordination and assessment
of tunnelling activity, stimulation of improvements in tunnelling technology,
and participation in International Tunnelling Association activities.
To further its objectives, SANCOT undertakes to:
· Collect and disseminate technical and other information related to
tunnelling, including research and development, and cost and performance of
components and systems.
· Continually assess the state of art of tunnelling in order to identify
technical needs for research and development and review its appropriateness in
terms of future demand, and stimulate the interchange of advanced technology
development for other purposes.
· Forecast and collect statistics and data regarding demand for future
planned subsurface construction for all uses, classified by ground conditions,
size, use and type of structure, and divided into two categories - short-range
demand (say 5 years), resulting from conventional uses and current technology,
and medium-range demand (say 10 years), resulting from unconventional uses and
new technology.
· Systematically compile geological data from geographical areas where
tunnelling activity is expected, particularly those of anticipated urban growth.
· Review the effectiveness of existing legal requirements and traditional
standards in obtaining maximum benefit for the community from tunnelling.
· Study contracting practices in relation to the preset state of art of
tunnelling, including how to encourage use of improved techniques.
· Improve the understanding of planners, officials and the general public of
the benefits of increased and planned sub-surface use.
· Review the adequacy of education and training of engineers in the
tunnelling field.
· Participate in international activities concerned with the application,
planning and practice of tunnelling.
A regular newsletter is produced, giving snippets of news on SANCOT
activities and general tunnelling matters. This is generally distributed by
e-mail to all SANCOT members as well as the South African Society for Trenchless
Technology (SASTT).
SANCOT is well placed to assist in meeting the future tunnelling needs of
South Africa and its neighbouring countries.
For more information on SANCOT, you are welcome to visit the website at the
following web address: www.geoscience.org.za/sancot.
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