SAICE Geotechnical Division Evening Lecture 2: Back to Basics in Geotechnical Engineering – Dolomite

Date: 13 September 2016
Venue: SAICE Head Office, Midrand
SAICE Geotechnical Division Evening Lecture 2: Back to Basic in Geotechnical Engineering – A Lifetime on Dolomite Presenter: Dr. Fritz Wagener

The presentation will commence with the depositional environment of the mineral Dolomite in shallow seas. The typical profile on dolomite in South Africa and the karst topography of the rock head will follow showing the mechanism of sinkhole and subsidence (doline) formation.

Photographs of major sinkholes since 1962 following dewatering on the FWR to facilitate deep level gold mining will be shown. Methods of construction on dolomite ground will briefly be discussed.
This will be followed by two case histories namely:

  • Sinkholes at Bapsfontein caused by dewatering.
  • A recent major sinkhole at a concrete lined canal conveying water across a dewatered compartment between Carletonville and Welverdiendt on the FWR.

The lecture will be approximately 1.5h long and will be CPD accredited
(RSVP is required for CPD accreditation)
Johannesburg Date & Time: 13th September 2016, 15h30. Venue: SAICE Head Office, Midrand. RSVP: Nicol Chang,

SAIGE Geotechnical Division presents:

Call for Abstracts: 11th South African Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference (SAYGEC) 2026

Date: September 2026
Venue: To be announced

Young geotechnical professionals under 35 working in geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, mining, or civil construction will have the opportunity to showcase their work at the 11th South African Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference (SAYGEC), taking place in September 2026 in the Central Drakensberg.

Find out more