A major innovation by CUT researchers is the introduction of soil suction as a key metric for assessing heave potential. The team has developed practical, cost-effective procedures for measuring suction, enabling better estimates of both soil expansion potential and variability—important predictors of structural failure. Research also seeks integrated geotechnical and structural solutions, such as developing flexible mortar mixes that accommodate the movement of expansive soils while maintaining bonding strength in masonry. This engineering approach aims to optimise house foundations and wall materials, promoting durability and cost efficiency, especially given poor general standards in local masonry practice. SMRG’s collaborative work with industry partners and international institutions helps advance testing technology, improve local building codes, and ensure that students and engineers are prepared to address unsaturated soil challenges in practice. Their efforts continue to transform both theory and application, making CUT a leading institution in expansive soil and unsaturated soil mechanics research in South Africa.
Documents
UNSAT2018_374-Variability.pdf
Soil-water-retention-curve-usage-considerations-and-variability-assessment-P.R-Stott-P.-Vosloo-E.-Theron.pdf
Estimation-of-Shrink-Stott-et-al-SEAGS-E-Journal-2017-06-1.pdf
Investigation-of-the-probability-density-functions-for-suction-potential-of-soils-2019.pdf
ICSMGE_2022-265.pdf
ICSMGE_2022-264.pdf
ICGE-4-Tunisial-2020.pdf
