The use of drones are becoming commonplace in engineering practice and Dr Devon Mothersille has exploited this technology to assist with the inspection of anchored structures where access is challenging.
PKW (1)
PKW (2)
Aerial view of the world’s highest Piano Key Weir at Hazelmere dam, South Africa
Tendon fabrication
Aerial view of the tendon fabrication yard – Hazelmere dam
Spillway and NOC
Aerial view of the spillway with the right and left flanks of the non-overspill crest – Hazelmere dam
Mr Yves Metz and Mr Christophe Blanc (Senior Executives from Ingerop France) visited the Hazelmere dam site in South Africa. Mr Duane Booyse (Resident Engineer on the dam project) and Dr Devon Mothersille (Specialist Anchor Consultant) delivered presentations to representatives from Ingerop France and Ingerop South Africa (ISA) which updated the visitors on the status of the dam construction with particular reference to the Piano Key Weir and the ultra-high capacity rock anchors. It is noteworthy that Dr Mothersille also pioneered the use of a drone to observe the progress of the dam construction and this video footage was also presented to the riveted audience.
After completing a detailed tour of the dam site the delegation enjoyed a meal at the famous south african golfer, Ernie Els’s restaurant (The Big Easy) at the Hilton Hotel in Durban.
Based on the discussions there is no doubt that the ties between Dr Mothersille and the Ingerop Group have strengthened and this collaboration will prevail on major infrastructure development projects in the future.
Dr Devon Mothersille enjoys a meal with the Ingerop team.
From left to right: Mrs Helena Koutras (Administration, ISA); Mr Adam Botha (ex- Technical Director, ISA and current APP for Hazelmere dam) ; Mr Christophe Blanc (International Director, Ingerop France); Mr Duane Booyse (Technical Director, ISA); Mr Shakendra Bhagwandin (Regional Manager, ISA), Dr Devon Mothersille (Managing Director, Geoserve Global Ltd, SBMA Ltd & AnchorTest Ltd), Mr Neel Daya (CEO, ISA), Mr Yves Metz (CEO, Ingerop France) and Mr Ashirayi Makosienyi (Finance Manager, ISA)
Challenging ground conditions have necessitated the extensive waterproofing of anchor boreholes and this has resulted in delays to the overall construction programme at Hazelmere dam. Despite this, progress is being made, and at the time of writing all 83 anchor boreholes have been drilled and 40 of the scheduled 83 anchors have been stressed, tested and locked-off.
AnchorTest used to assess anchor load/extension data in real-time during the testing of an anchor located in the spillway of the dam
Injection of corrosion inhibiting compound beneath the stressing head of an 80 strand spillway anchor.
Deep Foundations magazine published by DFI (Deep Foundations Institute) enjoys an extensive worldwide readership and has recently published a five-page article featuring AnchorTest. The article includes the latest case history updates from around the globe where AnchorTest has been used for real-time testing and data management on challenging ground anchor projects. The September/October 2017 issue featuring AnchorTest can be viewed at http://dfi.dcatalog.com/v/September-October 2017/#page=65.
Geoserve Global Ltd will employ drone technology to assist with the inspection of anchor heads in circumstances where anchor heads are positioned in challenging locations. Please look out for future web postings that will show aerial photographs and video footage of the spillway at Hazelmere dam.
Dr Devon Mothersille controls the drone in preparation for future usage at Hazelmere dam
Back in December 2012 Dr Devon Mothersille presented a paper to an audience at the headquarters of the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) in London. Interestingly, the paper, entitled, ‘Aged ground anchors and soil nails’ has only recently been published by CIRIA in the proceedings of the fifth conference on ‘Geotechnical Issues in Construction’ held on 3rd December 2012.
Amongst other things, the paper identifies the ground conditions that accentuate corrosion risk and uses case history evidence to illustrate severe corrosive degradation in anchor and soil nail heads.
Outstanding Geotechnical Engineer and Researcher, Dr Antonio Marinucci will act as marketing agent for the AnchorTest software package (configured for iPads; www.anchortest.info) and SBMA technology in the US and Canada. Dr Marinucci is also a recently inducted member of the Geo-Trust network.
Dr Marinucci and Dr Mothersille seal the deal in Honolulu, Hawaii
Some of the geotechnical engineering specialists, forming part of the Geo-Trust collective, took advantage of their attendance at the 5th international grouting conference to convene a group meeting. The group discussed current workloads, interesting developments and future collaborations.
From right to left: Dr Antonia Marinucci, Dr Devon Mothersille, Dr Donald Bruce, Mr Max Bruce (Donald’s son), Dr Trevor Carter, Professor Stefan Jefferies, Dr David Yang
Dr Devon Mothersille presented a paper entitled ‘Overcoming the challenges of grouting ultra-high capacity anchors dam in jointed quarzitic sandstone’ at the 5th International Grouting Conference, held between 9th-12th July 2017 in beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii. Over a four day period the well-attended conference provided three keynote lectures and technical sessions covering a broad spectrum of subjects including grouting case histories, drilling/grouting and deep mixing/ diaphragm walls.
Dr Mothersille during his presentation within the technical session on Drilling and Grouting
Following a special invitation from Ingerop’s senior management, Dr Devon Mothersille delivered a presentation to Directors from Ingerop (France), Ingerop (South Africa) and Geos (a subsidiary of Ingerop France).
This initiative was designed to further strengthen relationships and explore new markets for consultancy services with respect to ground anchor applications worldwide.
Several exciting possibilities were discussed included the delivery of major projects in Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique.
Dr Devon Mothersille and Mr Neel Daya (CEO, Ingerop South Africa) meet at Ingerop headquarters in Paris, France