Highlights (1908 – 1950)

Construction of Vaal Dam completed

  • 1939 Just before World War II the South African National Roads Board was created, and several young South African engineers visited the USA to study soil mechanics and its application in civil engineering practice.
  • 1947 an Informal National Committee on Soil Mechanics was formed among members of the South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE).
  • 1948 Geotechnical Division was formed. The South Africa National Society was founded under the auspices of SAICE and was constituted thus: The South African Institution of Civil Engineers is affiliated to the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering as the South African National Group representing the Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering interests in the Union of South Africa. To meet the requirements of these activities, a special Division known as the Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Division of the South African Institution of Civil Engineers is constituted.

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.

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