Geotech @ TUKS : geotechnical engineering

The successful installation and commissioning of a geotechnical centrifuge in the laboratories of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Pretoria was reported in the April 2012 edition of SAICE's magazine (Civil Engineering April 2012). The centrifuge was installed in a newly created laboratory converted from a lecture hall in the basement of the civil engineering laboratories on the university's main campus. The new centrifuge laboratory was opened by the Vice Chancellor and Principal of the university, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, on 13 June 2012. Now, less than one year later, more than 130 centrifuge tests have been registered in the centrifuge log book. It is intended to use this facility to significantly increase the research output of the Department of Civil Engineering, not only in the field of geotechnical engineering, but also in other disciplines. This article presents an overview of the geotechnical group at the University of Pretoria and its activities.