Heavy Engineering
The Heavy Engineering team of GIBB comprises of highly qualified professionals located in major centres throughout Africa facilitating efficient and cost-effective solutions to complex engineering challenges in the diverse realms of heavy engineering.
Our reputation has been built upon technical excellence combined with total commitment to the highest standard of client care. The Heavy Engineering team is well placed to partner you through each stage of project development, offering a fully comprehensive service that includes:
- Dam Engineering
- Diversion Structures
- Geotechnical and Underground Engineering
- Hydropower Plants and Pumped Storage Schemes
- Management and Programming of multi-disciplinary projects
- Model Studies
- Project Costing and Financial Modelling
- Tunnel Engineering
- Water Engineering and Hydrological Studies
Dam Engineering
GIBB’s multi-disciplinary expertise to complete all aspects related to dam engineering includes dam safety evaluations, dam upgrading and the design of new dams. We have been involved in various dam safety inspections as well as planning and feasibility studies. In addition, services have been provided on the design and upgrading implementation of large dams, inclusive of earthfill, rockfill, concrete design and the construction supervision of these structures.
Diversion Structures
GIBB has planned, designed and supervised the construction of a range of diversion structures and has executed projects involving hydraulic and structural design as well as complex model studies to evaluate the performance of various functional elements of each system.
Geotechnical and Underground Engineering
GIBB has a wide range of capabilities in geotechnical and underground (tunnel) engineering. Individual staff members have gained a wide range of experience in tunnelling and geotechnical work having been employed in Southern Africa on projects such as the 83 km long Orange-Fish tunnel, 90 km of tunnelling for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, and 30 km of service tunnels in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Key members of the team have also worked on tunnelling projects in South America, China, Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines and Sumatra.
They currently occupy key roles on the Gautrain and Ingula projects.
As a consequence the GIBB Geotechnical and Underground team can provide a wide range of services for:
- Cut and cover tunnels
- Engineering audits
- Site investigations
- Site supervision
- Slope stability
- The design of tunnels, shafts and caverns in hard and soft ground conditions
- The use of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs)
Hydropower Plants and Pumped Storage Schemes
GIBB offers a comprehensive range of services to governments, utility companies, owners, developers, lenders, contractors and legal organisations. Our services cover project management and engineering, resource evaluation, power planning, environmental assessment, asset valuation, financial modelling, due diligence and risk assessments. These services cover overall project management and engineering from concept level to supervision of site construction and commissioning. Our experience ranges from small and micro hydro plants to major hydro projects.
Management and Programming of multi-disciplinary projects
We have the expertise to programme and manage large multi-disciplinary projects where interfaces are critical to the successful completion of these large projects. These services include the planning, scheduling, directing and controlling of resources for the completion of specific goals and objectives.
Model Studies
GIBB has taken the lead in a variety of assignments in hydro, thermal and water supply fields, where rigorous hydraulic model studies have resulted in cost-effective solutions. We have developed models for mass oscillations in water conduits and pressure surges in various hydropower stations and pumping mains, the most complex of such models being for pumped storage schemes.
Project Costing and Financial Modelling
We offer services in the accurate pricing of engineering solutions as well as the representation of key financial and operational relationships. To this end we analyse the effects of varying economic climates and estimate the outcome of financial decisions before the commitment of any significant funds is required. This includes cash flow projections, depreciation schedules, debt service, inventory levels and rates of inflation. We also offer resource-based, analytical estimating services where multiple levels of composite bill items are generated, giving parties a full understanding of price make-ups. Both direct and indirect cost rates are split into user-defined components such as labour, plant and materials.
Water Engineering and Hydrological Studies
GIBB has been instrumental in the development of accurate water resource models. We provide a range of services across the entire water cycle to support development and environmental improvement including allowances for climatic change. These services cover water resources, water supply and flood risk management systems.