Towards the end of 2013, Kaytech hosted a series of technical workshops on Walls and Slopes Systems utilising Kaytech’s Rockgrid P Cdesigns for specialist geosynthetic reinforcement.

The workshop was presented by Kaytech’smarketing director, Garth James, and technical marketing engineer, Samantha Naidoo, experienced experts in these applications, in Midrand, Polokwane and in Nelspruit.

Garth James presented on Polymers and their Behaviours and Intrinsic Product Qualities. His paper included the following topics

Soil Reinforcement with Geosynthetics;

a.      Overview and History of Geosynthetics

b.      The use of Geogrids in soil reinforcement

c.      What causes failures?

d.      Code of Practice and Standards

Samantha Naidoo delivered her presentation on Design of Basal Reinforcement and Steep Slopes and Walls. Topics included:

Design Principles and Techniques;

a.      Slope

b.      Walls

c.      Basal Reinforcement

Rockgrid was used successfully in these important projects:

• Constantiakloof – basal reinforcement
• Gautrain – reinforced platform
• Mondi Richards Bay – basal reinforcement
• Mponeng Mine – retaining wall reinforcement
• N6 Queenstown – road reinforcement
• N14 – sinkhole remediation

Some of the companies that attended are: Mosomo Consulting Engineers, Roads Agency Limpopo, BIP Consulting Engineers, Molemo Consulting Eng, Tony Turner Agencies, Nhlengani Engineers, DIges Engineers, KBK Engineers, Roadcrete, Worley Parsons, SMEC, Aurecon, Superway, Six Bar Trading.

Kaytech is planning to roll out these technical workshops to centres in KZN and the Cape in 2014. They also invite interested parties to contact them with a view to providing private seminars to companies wishing to train their staff on the techniques and benefits of geosynthetic engineering.