EPA with South Africa Road Federation hosted it first Workshop on the 28th till 30th March 2023 in Windhoek.
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT DESIGN CONSTRUCTION COURSE PRESENTER ALASTER GOYNS GUEST SPEAKER DR. GERT CLOETE & MS. RAJA KAMBAZEMBI.
The event was well attended by 74 Engineers. The EPA President Mrs. Sophie Tekie welcomed all delegates.
The target audience for this course was for storm water and road designers. The two-day theoretical topics included discussion on hydraulic and structural principles are the same irrespective of whether it is a rural or urban situation. The rainfall/runoff relationship will depend on local conditions.
Hence hydrology was covered by Dr Cloete and who is familiar with the local flood hydrology in Namibia. The presentations focused on some theory, but concentrate on the practical application of this, how to do hand calculations and what client/designer supervision should be checking on site.
The presentations on trenchless technology have been added, because very little has been done to address the problems associated with the rehabilitation of stormwater drains, especially when they have been subject to aggressive soil conditions as happens in the coastal areas of Namibia.
On day one Dr Cloete presented and in part shared Graduate Student NUST Ms Raja Kambazembi on the local rainfall/runoff on the first day. On the 2nd day he discussed a case study for a 50-year recurrence flood at the Ugab River bridge using principals of hydraulics and palaeoflood techniques.
The hydraulics was covered the manual content and focus on certain aspects. The importance of the structural selection and product installation will emphasize just how important the relationship between design and practice is.
It is essential that this interrelationship is understood by those working in the design office and the supervision on the construction site. Hence the first day looked at design aspects and how these must take into consideration the site conditions and the second day concerns the installation of the stormwater products and the importance of the site engineer checking that the specified design requirements are met.
Day three the delegates were chartered to ROCLA Pipes Manufacturing plant for inspection and testing on site. A light lunch and refreshments were served.
The charter departed for afternoon programme include visitation in the company of Resident Engineer of the Consulting Engineering Firm to predetermined sites along the A1 Highway between Windhoek and Okahandja.
