Stellenbosch University - Civil Engineering

In the past month, Dr Natalia Flores Quiroz made impactful contributions to the global dialogue on #fire #safety/ #fire #protection at two major international events: 📍 13th Asia-Oceania Symposium on Fire Science & Technology 2024 📅 21-25 October | Daegu, South Korea Dr Flores-Quiroz a paper titled: “The Influence of COVID-19 Alcohol Ban on Residential Fires in Cape Town, South Africa.” This research explores how pandemic-related policies impacted fire incidents in Cape Town homes. Additionally, she showcased the AfriWUIFire project, an important collaboration between South Africa, Japan, and Botswana, which focuses on addressing the pressing challenges of wildland-urban interface fires. 📍 4th International Fire Operations Conference (IFOC) 📅 3-7 November | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia At this event, Dr Flores-Quiroz shared two South African case studies: · A wildland-urban interface fire, and · An informal settlement fire. She also took part in an engaging educational session, exchanging knowledge and learning alongside fire safety practitioners from across the world. Well done, Dr Flores-Quiroz, on making such a meaningful contribution to the global fire safety community! Your work inspires further collaboration and reminds us of the importance of sharing insights to address complex challenges together. #engineering #fireengineering #research #firesafety #fireprotection @ Faculty of Engineering @ Engineering News

#whatwelearntthisweek This week our second-year students tested their timber structural designs! In the Building Materials 254 module, taught by Dr Jacques Kruger, teams of students received a limited number of timber pieces, and they had to design and construct a truss within certain height and length restrictions, taking material properties such as strength in compression vs tension, anisotropy, knots, burls and orientation into consideration. This is another great example of scaffolded learning. In their first year, our students learned how to determine the compressive and tensile forces in trusses using hand calculations. Next year, they will learn how to model and analyse trusses using the finite element method. The second-year class wrapped up the semester with testing their trusses until failure in the 2MN Instron testing machine, a class braai, and the winning team receiving their prize!

#whatwelearntthisweek This week our third-year students had an incredible hands-on experience at the Berg River Dam! They explored key hydraulic structures they’ve been learning to design in their Hydraulics 354 module, taught by Dr Adele Bosman, including the impressive spillway, pump station, and even ventured down the dry well of the intake tower. Seeing these structures up close brought their theoretical knowledge to life, offering a unique perspective on the critical infrastructure that supports our water systems. A big thank you to Amos Mgidi and Margaritha Cox of the Department of Water and Sanitation for making it all possible!

  Introducing Ernst du Preez, Managing Director of IMECH Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd, who is a team member in the #Fire #Safety Engineering / Fire #Protection #Engineering masters group.   “I find this programme excellent! I love it."   I have personally learned so much to date and it is actually helping me a lot in my work and will help me much in future. It actually provides you with the necessary knowledge and confidence to inform clients why a certain scenario or situation is dangerous and not recommended and to act in a professional manner.   This programme is definitely recommended to anyone involved in the fire industry and it has been a very long-awaited course for the South African building industry.   I have registered as a Professional Engineer in 2002 and started my own consulting engineering company in 2004. I have been working in the building services industry for 26 years and during my career, fire has always ended up on my table and at some point, I could not ignore it any longer. Clients wanted HVAC, Wet Services and Fire under one umbrella.   Bottom line is I had to expand my knowledge in this area. And what better way to do it than to enrol for this course. When I got an email about this course, I instantly knew I had to do it.”   Ernst has been working hard this year and learning lot. Our final virtual open day for the year is taking place on:   Date: Thursday, 17 October Time: 17:30-19:00 SA time To register: Click on the link https://lnkd.in/d3t4QdPt  or visit the website https://fire.sun.ac.za   Take advantage of the chance to learn more! https://fire.sun.ac.za   #fireengineering #fireprotection #firesafety #fireprevention #riskassessment #fireprotection #mechanicalengineering #civilengineering #builtenvironment #buildingsafety #insurance   Stellenbosch University - Faculty of Engineering Engineering News at Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch University - Civil Engineering Diana Cochrane-Van Eeden

Let me introduce you to Promise Tebogo Majoe (MIFireE). He took a moment recently to reflect on his Masters of Engineering in our #Fire #Safety #Engineering / Fire #Protection Engineering team. Exciting news! He will be joining us at our virtual open day next Thursday, 17 October at 17:30 SA time to share his perspective on the programme from a student’s point of view. For a sneak peak, check out the preview below.   Q: How will the programme assist you in your future career? A: “The masters of fire engineering will significantly assist in my future career by expanding my technical knowledge and practical skills, allowing me to take on more complex projects with confidence. It provides advanced insights into fire dynamics, human behaviour, structural fire safety and fire risk management.” Q: Would you recommend the programme to prospective students? A: “I highly recommend this programme to anyone looking to deepen their expertise in fire engineering. It provides the tools and resources needed to excel in this field and helps to develop a strong professional network.” Q: Kindly tell us a bit about yourself and your current job. A: “I am a fire engineer with mechanical engineering qualification, I have 9 years of experience in the built environment. I am involved in both the local and international projects. My role involves managing fire safety from project inception through to project closure. I attend site meetings, develop fire safety strategies, conduct fire risk assessments and oversee the installation and testing of fire systems. I also work closely with various stakeholders to ensure that buildings comply with the relevant fire safety regulations and ensure that all fire safety measures are properly implemented before a project is completed.” To register for Thursday’s virtual open day click on the link and complete the short form. https://lnkd.in/d3t4QdPt More information on the degree is available on the website at https://fire.sun.ac.za/ Be part of the action and register for the virtual open day on Thursday!   #fireengineering #fireprotection #firesafety #fireprevention #riskassessment #fireprotection #mechanicalengineering #civilengineering #builtenvironment #buildingsafety #oilandgas #insurance #mining   Stellenbosch University - Civil Engineering Diana Cochrane-Van Eeden Natalia Flores Quiroz

#whatwelearntthisweek This week our second-year students worked on a group assignment in their Strength of Materials 254 module, taught by Prof Adewumi John Babafemi. The students were tasked with analysing a portal frame structure subjected to wind loads by simplifying it to a two-dimensional (2D) model. The assignment required them to perform hand-calculations through the Stiffness Method and use modern structural analysis software. They also used tools like MS Excel, MATLAB, and Python to verify their calculations. Through this approach, they learn how to use structural analysis software, and the importance of validating computer-generated results—a critical skill in structural engineering.

Read all about how Raphael Thompson experienced the week-long Trilateral Staff Development and Exchange Program in Hamburg, Germany. Participants explored how sustainability can be incorporated across all facets of higher education. It will be exciting to see how Mr Thompson integrates these ideas into our laboratory and workshop spaces at the Civil Engineering Department!

Sharing Our World with Others… There’s always a hive of activity at Stellenbosch University - Faculty of Engineering. Today, we had the pleasure of hosting 30 Civil Engineering students from Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. They toured our labs and facilities at Stellenbosch University - Civil Engineering, gaining insights into our cutting-edge research and innovations. This enriching study visit was made possible through Stellenbosch University International Office. We look forward to fostering further collaboration and knowledge exchange in the future! Guillaume Nel Jasmina Toromanovic Randall Adams