Civil Engineering - Stellenbosch University

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Civil Engineering - Stellenbosch University

Welcome to the Department of Civil Engineering at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

We offer a world-class four year Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering, as well as a number of post-graduate qualifications and CPD short courses.

30/03/2026

CPD Course on Soil Behaviour, presented by Dr Talia da Silva Burke.

This course will unpack the theory defining critical state line and constitutive models based on this theory.

The course will be presented in person at the Stellenbosch Campus.

Registrations close on 15 May 2026.

25/03/2026

🎟️ Open Day tickets are live!

🎓

Your journey starts here, and it begins with booking your spot.

Tickets for our On-campus Undergraduate Open Day are now available on Quicket. Plan your day, book your information sessions and get ready to experience campus life for yourself.

📅 Saturday, 18 April 2026
🕗 08:00 – 15:00
📍 Stellenbosch campus
🎟️ Free entry

👉 Stellenbosch Campus: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/358511-stellenbosch-university-undergraduate-on-campus-open-day-2026/?ref=events-list #/

⚠️ Remember to check session times when booking to avoid overlaps.

We can’t wait to welcome you to campus!

24/03/2026

We are celebrating our upcoming March graduates!

Johnson Mapfumo will be receiving his Master's Cum Laude for his work on the numerical modelling of steel fibre reinforced concrete subjected to fatigue loading. He was supervised by Dr Humaira Fataar and Prof Gideon van Zijl.

Fatigue behaviour of pre-cracked steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) was investigated numerically using the ABAQUS CDP model. Constitutive laws from fib Model Code 2010, fib Model Code 2020 and EN 1992-1-1:2023 Annex L were evaluated. fib Model Code 2010 provided the most stable representation, while fatigue simulations highlight limitations in the current damage model for cyclic loading.

In 2026, he plans to pursue a PhD in Structural Engineering at Stellenbosch University and, where possible, engage in any relevant work opportunities that may arise alongside his studies.

Congratulations, Johnson!

23/03/2026

We are celebrating our upcoming March graduates!

Carla van Wyk will be receiving her Master's Cum Laude for her work on plant-based admixtures for cement-based materials. She was supervised by Prof Riaan Combrinck.

Water reducers are gaining widespread use due to their ability to enhance concrete
workability and lower cement content. They are, however, predominantly derived from petrochemicals and hazardous substances that pose environmental, occupational, and health risks during manufacture, use, and disposal. This study investigates environmentally friendly plant-based alternatives to conventional
water reducers with the aim of developing a more sustainable and commercially viable admixture for cement-based materials. The study focuses on plant materials such as tree gums and tea leaves as well as by-products from agricultural industries such as grape pomace and olive pomace.

In 2026, she will be working full-time at Merlicon as a junior structural engineer.

Congratulations, Carla!

20/03/2026

We are celebrating our upcoming March graduates!

Palesa Tshetlanyane will be receiving her Master's Cum Laude for her work on using platinum slag as fine aggregate in concrete coastal applications. She was supervised by Prof John Babafemi and Prof Bolanle Ikotun.

Her research explored the valorisation of platinum slag, a South African platinum-smelting by-product, as a sustainable partial replacement for natural fine aggregate in high-strength concrete for aggressive marine environments. The study examined workability, mechanical behaviour, and durability by evaluating oxygen permeability, water sorptivity, and chloride conductivity across replacement levels of 0% to 30%. The results showed that, while early-age strength is reduced, mixtures containing 10% to 20% platinum slag developed strong later-age performance, with 20% replacement offering the most favourable overall balance of workability, long-term strength, and resistance to chloride ingress.

In 2026, she plans to apply for a PhD at Stellenbosch University.

Congratulations, Palesa!

19/03/2026

We are celebrating our upcoming March graduates!

Markus Colyn will be receiving his PhD for his work on "Sustainable 2D concrete printing for eco-conscious construction: Recycled aggregates and low-carbon binders". He was supervised by Prof John Babafemi and Prof Gideon van Zijl.

3D concrete printing as a sustainable construction technique remains constrained by high cement content, low aggregate-to-binder ratios and a lack of recycled materials in printable mixtures. His research developed and evaluated thirteen low-carbon printable mixtures incorporating locally available alternative binders and recycled aggregates, achieving reduced cement content, an a/b ratio of 1.75, and suitable rheological and mechanical performance. The suitability of one of these mixtures for large-scale printing was proven through the printing and testing of a 2.7 m long sinusoidal wall, demonstrating structural stability comparable to conventional masonry while reducing material usage by 55%. The study established practical strategies for advancing the sustainability of 3D concrete printing.

In 2026, he will be continuing his research as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Civil Engineering at Stellenbosch University. His work will focus on developing interlocking, prefabricated 3D-printed low-carbon concrete wall panels for low-income housing construction in South Africa.

Congratulations, Markus!

18/03/2026

We are celebrating our upcoming March graduates!

Martin Okirya will be receiving his PhD for his work on "The development of intensity duration frequency curves under climate change considerations using remote sensed rainfall data in Uganda". He was supervised by Prof Kobus du Plessis.

Extreme rainfall intensification poses growing risks to hydrological infrastructure in data-scarce regions such as Uganda. In his research, seven remotely sensed rainfall (RSR) datasets were evaluated against observed Annual Maximum Series using RMSE, PBIAS, and Kolmogorov–Smirnov metrics, with GPCC and NOAA_CPC performing best. The developed RSR bias correction framework significantly improved RSR accuracy, while the empirical aligned time distribution and the statistical exponential methods most effectively disaggregated daily rainfall to sub-daily rainfall. Under RCP 4.5, projected rainfall intensities from the Intensity Duration Frequency curves, increase from 9% in Gulu (BCCR-WRF331 CORDEX-Africa RCM) to 170% in Fort Portal (REMO2009 CORDEX-Africa RCM), emphasizing the need to incorporate climate change into hydrological design.

In 2026, he plans to continue advancing his research by pursuing the recommendations and exploring additional research areas identified during the study. He also intends to undertake short-term consultancy assignments in hydrology, water resources engineering, and environmental management, while engaging in university lecturing and academic mentorship.

Congratulations, Martin!

17/03/2026

We are celebrating our upcoming March graduates!

Richard Matchett will be receiving his PhD for his work on "A framework for digital twins as decision-support tools in South Africa toll road operations". He was supervised by Prof Jan Wium and Dr Chris Jurgens.

His study developed a requirement-informed framework for digital twins as decision-support tools in South African toll road operations. Derived from empirical analysis of decision-making practices, the framework identified the information requirements, decision contexts, and planning conditions by which digital twin implementation is aligned with toll road operational realities.

His plans for 2026 include settling into life after PhD, rediscovering discretionary time, maybe a hobby, and definitely more time with family and friends. Work-wise, he looks forward to continuing to apply the knowledge gained from his research and applying the research outcomes in his consulting work with asset owning organisations.

Congratulations, Richard!

16/03/2026

We are celebrating our upcoming March graduates!

Deme Hirko will be receiving his PhD for his work on "Using machine learning and the water evaluation and planning model to evaluate climate change impacts on surface water allocation in the upper awash sub-basin, Ethiopia". He was supervised by Prof Kobus du Plessis and Prof Adele Bosman.

His research integrated machine learning with the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model to assess the impacts of climate change and population growth on surface water allocation in Ethiopia’s Upper Awash Sub-Basin. Using future climate projections, the study evaluated changes in water demand, supply, and unmet demand from 2025 to 2075. The results indicated that increasing temperatures, rainfall variability, and rapid population growth will place significant pressure on available water resources. The findings supported the development of climate-resilient and sustainable water management strategies for the region.

In 2026, he plans to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship focusing on integrating machine learning, Earth observation data, and water systems modelling to strengthen climate resilience and sustainable water resources management in Africa.

Congratulations, Deme!

11/03/2026

CPD Course on Structural Fire Engineering, presented by Prof Richard Walls, Dr Dr. Oscar Asumani, and Dr Natalia Flores Quiroz.

The course will cover principles of structural design for fire safety. Industry talks will cover various topics, and real-life case studies will be presented.

For more info, visit our website at www.su.ac.za/civil

09/03/2026

CPD Course on Humanising Road Design, presented by Dr Megan Bruwer.

This course aims to equip engineers to design improved road infrastructure that thoughtfully accommodates all road users.

It will be presented in-person at the Stellenbosch University Campus.

Registrations close on 02 April 2026.

For more info, visit our website at www.su.ac.za/civil

Address

Banghoek Road
Stellenbosch
7600

Telephone

+27218084369

Website

http://www.civeng.sun.ac.za/

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