Geomechanics cc 28 Central Road, Sunrella, Gauteng, South Africa PO Box 68063, Bryanston, South Africa, 2021 Tel: +27 11 451 7760 Fax: 086 663 3896 THE PROJECT Kazungula Bridge Design Study Geomechanics drills in the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe rivers on the Botswana Zambia border for the Kazungula Bridge Design Study Kazungula Bridge Design Study Geomechanics drills in the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe rivers on the Botswana Zambia border for the Kazungula Bridge Design Study MEETING THE CHALLENGES OVERVIEW This 3 month project for the Kazungula bridge feasibility study commissioned by the South African Development Community (SADC) and the African Development Bank, involved 120mm core sampling of the land and river bed, logging and lab testing, in-situ testing and the writing of a geological and interpretive report.. The Kazungula Bridge project is intended to increase the movement of goods and people between Botswana and Zambia to support regional socioeconomic integration . The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Governments of Zambia and Botswana with additional funding from the African Development Bank have committed to building a fixed road and rail bridge over the Zambezi River at Kazungula, where the current ferry runs. The Bridge is part of the SADC north-south corridor which connects the South African port of Durban to Lusaka (Zambia) and Lubumbashi (DRC) through Johannesburg and Gaborone (Botswana). Egis Bceom International (Consultants) was appointed by the governments of Zambia and Botswana in 2008 to complete the detail design and documentation necessary for the construction of these facilities. Geomechanics was awarded the contract by Egis Bceom International to provide geotechnical investigations for the bridge piers and abutments and began work in August 2010. The project required drilling of 120mm diameter cores on both sides of the river and in the river bed, core sampling and storage, laboratory testing, doing in situ Standard Penetrometer, Lugeon, Lefranc and Piezo meter testing and then presenting a geotechnical and interpretive report of the findings. Geomechanics CEO, Dave Rossitter, put his 20 years of geotechnical investigation knowledge to work and designed a jack-up barge capable of holding a drill rig and crew, weighing about 30 tons, stationary in a flowing river up to 8 meters deep. The biggest challenge in this project was not drilling the unusually large, 120mm diameter, core samples, but having to drill them in the Zambezi River. SUCCESS STORY Page 1
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Geomechanics cc28 Central Road, Sunrella, Gauteng, South Africa PO Box 68063, Bryanston, South Africa, 2021
Tel: +27 11 451 7760 Fax: 086 663 3896
THE PROJECT
Kazungula Bridge Design StudyGeomechanics drills in the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe rivers on the
Botswana Zambia border for the Kazungula Bridge Design Study
Kazungula Bridge Design StudyGeomechanics drills in the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe rivers on the
Botswana Zambia border for the Kazungula Bridge Design Study
MEETING THE CHALLENGES
OVERVIEWThis 3 month project for the Kazungula bridge feasibility study commissioned by the South African Development Community (SADC) and the African Development Bank, involved 120mm core sampling of the land and river bed, logging and lab testing, in-situ testing and the writing of a geological and interpretive report..
The Kazungula Bridge project is intended to increase the movement of goods and people between Botswana and
Zambia to support regional socioeconomic integration .
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Governments of Zambia and Botswana with
additional funding from the African Development Bank have committed to building a fixed road and rail bridge over
the Zambezi River at Kazungula, where the current ferry runs.
The Bridge is part of the SADC north-south corridor which connects the South African port of Durban to Lusaka
(Zambia) and Lubumbashi (DRC) through Johannesburg and Gaborone (Botswana).
Egis Bceom International (Consultants) was appointed by the governments of Zambia and Botswana in 2008 to
complete the detail design and documentation necessary for the construction of these facilities.
Geomechanics was awarded the contract by Egis Bceom International to provide geotechnical investigations for
the bridge piers and abutments and began work in August 2010.
The project required drilling of 120mm diameter cores on both sides of the river and in the river bed, core sampling
and storage, laboratory testing, doing in situ Standard Penetrometer, Lugeon, Lefranc and Piezo meter testing
and then presenting a geotechnical and interpretive report of the findings.
Geomechanics CEO, Dave Rossitter, put his 20 years of
geotechnical investigation knowledge to work and
designed a jack-up barge capable of holding a drill rig and
crew, weighing about 30 tons, stationary in a flowing river
up to 8 meters deep.
The biggest challenge in this project was not drilling the unusually large, 120mm diameter, core samples, but having to drill them in the Zambezi River.
S U C C E S S S TO RY
Page 1
Geomechanics cc28 Central Road, Sunrella, Gauteng, South Africa PO Box 68063, Bryanston, South Africa, 2021
Tel: +27 11 451 7760 Fax: 086 663 3896
THE OUTCOME
MEETING THE CHALLENGES
Brett Mannix, Geomechanics Site Agent says, “If one considers the unfamiliar environment, potential
natural hazards and the task of recovering a 120mm core in the middle of a flowing Zambezi River on a
9m x 9m Jack-tup barge, this was
arguably one of the most challenging
contracts we have ever been tasked
with! It took precision planning,
experienced staff, and the will to
conquer to complete this project
successfully”
Geomechanics was able to complete the required geotechnical investigations and deliver the final geotechnical and interpretive reports within 4 months of starting the project.
According to Graham Williams, Project Director at Egis International, “The investigations proved the viability of the foundation design chosen at preliminary design stage involving the construction of spread footings for the river piers within cofferdams. The core retrieval, sampling, logging, testing and geotechnical reports (prepared by Geomechanics sub contractor Terratest) were done to professional standards.”
About GeomechanicsGeomechanics and Geomech Africa provide a drilling and testing service to the minerals exploration market as well as the Geotechnical and Civils industries and have over 20 years experience in Southern Africa.
Today, through a continued policy of upgrading of staff and equipment through training, replacement and maintenance, Geomechanics is one of the leaders in its field.Geomechanics cc is the founding company of the GeoGroup. The GeoGroup is a group of companies comprising Geomechanics, GeoCrush, GeoStone, GeoPlant, Geomech Africa, GeoPower Africa, Terra Power Solutions, GeoSolar Energy, GeoSolar and Green-a-Planet.These companies provide a range of services from geotechnical and exploration drilling, renewable energy and emergency power supply systems.
The essence of the GeoGroup is entrepreneurial initiative, integrity and honesty.
The self propelled barge was built in the Geomechanics workshop less than 6 weeks from the awarding of the contract.
Drilling in a flowing river also presented other challenges. The crew needed to build slip-ways on either side of the river to enable the barge to move in and out of the water quickly incase the rivers flooded. The crew also needed to be permanently vigilant and aware of their surroundings – the river and surrounds are home to hippos, crocodiles, elephants and snakes. At night, security guards were stationed on the barge to prevent theft in this high traffic area.
S U C C E S S S TO RYKazungula Bridge Design Study
Page 2
Drilling for the bridge that will replace the ferry at Kazungula (seen here passing behind the Geomechanics barge)
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