Engineers learn the ropes on site
THERE is no better classroom for a trainee engineer than a rough and dusty construction site teeming with roaring machinery and sweating men and women hard at work.
Thabiso Dladla and Sumay Maharaj are assistant resident engineers (AREs) learning the ropes from seasoned colleagues on the site of the N2 Upgrade between Mthunzini and eMpangeni on the KwaZuluNatal North Coast.
“We carry out pretty much the same functions as the AREs. We do the inspections, we do quantities, we do assistant instructions, site instructions and we answer any engineering queries that we get from the contractor,” said Dladla.
Maharaj, who started on the project in August 2016, and was previously doing pavement and geometric design in Port Elizabeth at the Sanral Centre of Excellence, says he has already learned many vital lessons since moving north.
“I’ve learnt the complex nature of civil engineering and how everything comes together to make things work.
“It’s not just pavement design alone. It’s dealing with structures, drainage and geometrics. It’s basically learning how to put everything together and making it work,” he said.
Dladla got involved in the project about 10 months after he joined Sanral’s trainee programme.
He is excited to work on the challenging project, which he describes as quite diverse and includes several bridges and culverts.
“I’ve been involved in inspections and assisting the contractor where they need clarification on drawings. When it comes to earth works, we also do inspections on the fill materials and sub grade. Recently we’ve just started doing the asphalting work, so we are applying the BTB and we do inspections of all the work carried out by the contractor,” he said.
Maharaj said working on the project was not without its challenges.
“I think the main thing is that the design office works differently to the construction site. Sometimes there’s a breakdown in information, especially with drawings, incomplete drawings and things like that. That’s why it’s essential for engineering staff to be on site to answer all these questions,” he said.
He says he would not have come this far had it not been for the support of Sanral.
“The support from Sanral has been immense and I’m really grateful for it. They’ve supported me in my studies in university with a full bursary and given me the opportunity to train in so many different fields. Hopefully I can register as a professional engineer,” he said.
The project is projected to end at approximately April 2019 but may even extend to June next year.
It’s not just pavement design. It’s dealing with structures, drainage and geometrics… how to put everything together