Theses and dissertations (Engineering and Built Environment)

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The application of lean principles to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in an automotive industry
(2020-09) Ramsunder, Keshav; Olanrewaju, Oludolapo Akanni
A common factor for industrial production is energy, and the level of energy consumed is typically used to measure the growth and economic development of countries. However, as the industrial sector expands and makes efforts to gain competitive advantage, there is a growing concern regarding energy consumption and the ecological burden related to energy use. Thus far, industry has relied on the Lean manufacturing paradigm to gain the contemporary benefits of profitability, flexibility, and increased efficiency. More recently, the association of Lean manufacturing and environmental impacts has grown in both the industrial and academic fields. The main aim of this research is to investigate the correlation between lean tools and their effect on Green House Gas emissions, ultimately measuring environmental performance. The research is quantitatively based and entails the study of a weld process production line at Toyota South Africa Motors. The environmental impacts of the production process were observed and measured before and after the implementation of three lean tools: Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Standardized Work. Comparing the outcomes, the study found significant differences in the pre-test and post-test of each lean technique applied. VSM allows one to visualize and magnify the environmental performance of the process, which allows for simple quantifying of environmental metrics. TPM brings to light that equipment that is regularly maintained to operate at optimum condition reduces non-value adding energy usage. However, in contrast, Standardized Work has shown minimal benefits within the context of this research. The findings of this research are beneficial as they contribute to gaining a better understanding of the way lean tools affect environmental performance. While the study contributes to the current body of knowledge, it can also enlighten Small to Medium Enterprises, practitioners and larger organizations to rethink current strategy and allow for simultaneous implementation of Lean Green operations.
An assessment of the adoption of smart building concept in the Nigerian construction industry
(2022-05-13) Ejidike, Cyril Chinonso; Mewomo, M. C.
Technological penetration across developing countries has impacted the construction industry, with more construction stakeholders deploying various technologies into the building lifecycle's design, construction, management, and maintenance. The building sector has evolved by adopting and implementing smart tools for its operations over the past few years. Building information modelling (BIM), the internet of things (IoT), and smart devices (sensors) are game-changers that have helped to reduce the complexity of construction activity and increase productivity. Meanwhile, introducing the sustainable development concept in the construction industry has enabled the proper management of the earth's natural resources and provided a pathway for ecosystem balance alongside socio-economic development. Amid the skyrocketing population growth, urban sprawl, and globalization, the building industry is confronted with the challenge of providing adequate and holistic built infrastructures such as efficient energy management, good water supply, occupants' indoor comfort, and the management of construction waste. The smart building concept (SBCs), which employs sustainable construction whereby the built product is constructed according to best practices, including efficient energy use, the recycling of raw material, and the realization of a sustainable and carbon-free environment, has demonstrated the digitalization of sustainable development in the construction industry. Therefore, this dissertation seeks to asseeement of the adoption of smart building concepts in the Nigerian construction industry. The research poses the following questions: 1) What is the awareness level of construction professionals in the adoption of the smart building concept (SBCs) in the Nigerian construction industry? 2) What factors can enhance the awareness of the smart building concept among construction professionals in the Nigerian construction industry? 3) What factors enhance the adoption of SBCs among professionals in the Nigerian construction industry? 4) What are barriers to adopting SBCs in construction projects in the Nigerian construction industry? A random sampling technique in selecting the construction professionals. The total population of construction professionals within the study area is 5,108, comprising construction professionals of Architects, Builders (Mechanical, Electrical, and Structural), Engineers, and Quantity Surveyors practicing in Lagos state. The sample size selection was made using the Yamane formula (1967) for calculating sample size. Therefore, the sample for this study is 363. A well-structured questionnaire of 363 was administered to construction professionals to gather relevant data on the topic. The data collected were analyzed using the Kruskal Wallis H test and weighted mean, factor analysis, and binary regression analysis, and mean item score and agreement analysis technique. The key finding of the research indicated that construction professionals are generally aware of the smart building concept. Administration, education, organizational, and environmental factors were discovered to enhance the adoption of smart building concepts among construction professionals. Furthermore, the research indicates that energy and cost-saving, job creation, safety and security, and health care are the critical factors enhancing in adoption of smart building concepts among construction professionals in the Nigerian construction industry. Lastly, the research result discovered that the high cost of smart building materials, inadequate power supply, resistance to change from the use of traditional technology, poor maintenance culture, poor knowledge of smart building technology, inadequate well-trained labour in the practice of smart building construction, and inadequate finance schemes are the significant barriers to the adoption of smart building concept. Based on this research finding, the research recommends that construction professionals engage more in smart building concepts, propagating the country's awareness and development of smart building construction. Furthermore, the government should establish a common platform for the collaboration of all stakeholders, such as professionals in the construction industry and academia, by way of policymaking and funding of research and development towards implementing these smart technologies. It will go a long way for employment creation and improve the country's economy. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by discovering the critical factors that will aid the successful adoption of the smart building concept in the Nigerian construction industry.
Biosorption of Fe2+ from potable water using natural and modified sugarcane bagasse
(2023-05) Ndebele, Nompumelelo Lindi Gelsiah
Even though some metals are crucial for the health and development of human bodies, their presence in higher concentrations is worrisome because it has a detrimental effect on people's health. These heavy metals cause cancer and cannot be broken down by biological processes. The removal of heavy metals from water using traditional techniques; such as reverse osmosis, precipitation, ion exchange; has been the subject of extensive investigation. However, because these processes are so expensive to run, a lot of research is currently focusing on using agricultural biomasses to remove these heavy metals. Dumping of this agricultural waste (sugarcane bagasse) in landfills creates dangers of spontaneous combustion, because of microbial activities. The functionality of circular economy depends on waste resources being utilized to their fullest potential, with almost no production of recoverable waste. In a circular economy, sugarcane bagasse is utilized as a fuel source for the boilers that generate process steam and electricity in the sugar mill facilities. Sugarcane bagasse is used in the manufacturing of paper and paper goods, as well as in the agricultural sector. Stakeholders across the value chain, from product design to waste management, This study fulfils the functionality of the circular economy where it looks at extracting the valuable components of the sugarcane bagasse, then further using the sugarcane bagasse to remove heavy metals from potable water. In this study, the adsorption capacities of unmodified and modified sugarcane bagasse for removing Fe2+ from potable water were investigated in batch experiment studies. Sugarcane bagasse comprises cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. In order to determine the effect of removing/ extracting each component from the sugarcane bagasse, sugarcane bagasse was pretreated with different concentrations of sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid, ranging between 0.5 wt% and 2.5 wt%, predominantly used to extract lignin and hemicellulose. A cellulosic structure was left behind after the simultaneous removal of both amorphous components (the lignin and the hemicellulose) using the combined pretreatments of sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. The advantages of extracting or eliminating these components came from their high value in many sectors. Lignin is used in the paper business and costs between R11 300 and R17 420 per ton, hemicellulose is used in the pharmaceutical sector and costs between R500 and R1000 per ton, and cellulose is utilized in the textile sector. The concentrations of all chemical pretreatments used on the sugarcane bagasse ranged from 0.5 to 2.5%, with alkaline pretreatments intended to extract lignin, acid pretreatments intended to extract hemicellulose, and combination pretreatments intended to remove both lignin and hemicellulose. While cellulose content increased from 32.02 to 65.65% after sodium hydroxide pretreatment, lignin and hemicellulose content reduced from 22.30 and 24.30% to 7.56% and 13.63%, respectively. Lignin and hemicellulose concentration for the sulphuric acid pretreatment went from 22.30 and 24.30% to 14.90% and 13.63%, respectively, while cellulose content went from 35.02 to 65.65%. After the sugarcane bagasse underwent chemical pretreatments, batch studies were conducted on both the natural and chemically pretreated sugarcane bagasse in order to determine how the removal of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose affected the performance of the biosorbents in the biosorption of Fe2+ from drinkable water. To assess the efficacy of natural and modified sugarcane bagasse on the Fe2+ removal, the operational parameters investigated in the batch experiments were initial concentration ranging from 1 to 30 mg/L; pH ranging from 2 to 7, contact time ranging from 5 -100 minutes, and adsorbent dose ranging from 0.2 to 1.4 g. For every variation investigation, one variable was varied at a time while keeping the other variables constant. The experimental runs done were repeated thrice and average values are reported throughout the study. According to the biosorption results, 1% NaOH was the best performing biosorbent for the alkali-pretreatment. The most effective biosorbent for the acidpretreatment variation was 2.5% H2SO4. The optimal combination for the pretreatment was (0.5% NaOH + 0.5% H2SO4). Regarding initial concentration variations, all biosorbents were most effective at a concentration of 1 mg/L, where natural sugarcane bagasse was able to remove 50% of Fe2+, 1% NaOH was able to remove 99.7% Fe2+, 2.5% H2SO4 removed 75.93% Fe2+, and the combined-pretreated biosorbent of (0.5% NaOH + 0.5% H2SO4) removed 87.17% Fe2+ . The increase in biosorbent dose led to an increase efficiency of the natural and chemically pretreated biosorbents. The highest removal of Fe2+ was obtained at 1 g (both for the natural and for all the pretreated biosorbents), with 32.2% for the natural; 79.04% for the 1% NaOH; 58.79% for the 2.5% H2SO4 and 70.73% for (0.5% NaOH + 0.5% H2SO4). Results of the study also showed that the highest removal of Fe2+ for the pH variation of 2-7 was at pH “6” for both the natural and pretreated biosorbents. For the variation of the agitation speed, the highest Fe2+ removal was at 160 rpm with 52% Fe2+ removal for the natural sugarcane bagasse. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were used to study the biosorption mechanisms. Good correlation coefficients (R 2 ) of > 0.95 were obtained for both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms for both the natural and modified sugarcane bagasse, indicating that the biosorption followed both homogeneous and heterogeneity interaction between Fe2+ ions and active functional groups of the surface and pores of the biosorbents. Biosorption results for the natural sugarcane bagasse best fitted with the Langmuir isotherm with qmax of 0.770 mg/g, R 2 of 0.987 and RL of 0.938. The alkali and acid-pretreated biosorbents favoured both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms with R 2 > 0.95; RL < 1 and 1 𝑛 < 1. The highest qmax of 9.199 and 5.743 mg/g was obtained at 1% NaOH and 2.5% H2SO4, respectively. The combined pretreatment fitted best with only the Langmuir isotherm with R 2 of 0.987, the R 2 of the Freundlich isotherm was less than 0.9. The biosorption of Fe2+ followed both the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic reactions with 𝑞𝑒(𝑒𝑥𝑝) in close proximity to 𝑞𝑒(𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐) and R 2 > 0.9. These results showed that sugarcane bagasse had great adsorption capacity after removing the valued components, namely, lignin and hemicellulose. Characterization studies, which included FTIR, XRD, BET and SEM, were also carried out on the natural and pretreated bagasse before and after adsorption experiments. FTIR confirmed the existence of carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups as major groups responsible for the adsorption of Fe2+ onto the natural and pretreated sugarcane bagasse. XRD revealed that the natural structure of the sugarcane bagasse was of native cellulose consisting of both amorphous and crystalline regions; this structure became more crystalline after the chemical pretreatments as the crystallinity index increased from 39.04% to 66.85% at 1% NaOH; 57.47% at 2.5% H2SO4; and 57.92% at (0.5% NaOH + 0.5%H2SO4). The natural sugarcane bagasse structure featured rough surfaces, according to SEM data, and the main constituents were silicon (Si), carbon (C), and oxygen (O). According to the BET data, employing 1% NaOH, 2.5% H2SO4, and (0.5% NaOH + 0.5% H2SO4), respectively, the initial surface area of 0.904 cm3 /g rose to 1.503, 1.233, and 1.376 cm3 /g and the pore size of 56.33 ̊A increased to 99.63, 93.680, and 99.10 ̊A. According to the EDS data, sodium hydroxide pretreatment performed better in terms of adsorption, followed by combined pretreatment and sulphuric acid. The natural sugarcane bagasse, 1% NaOH, 2.5% H2SO4, and (0.5% NaOH + 0.5% H2SO4) were able to biosorb 0.77, 7.89, 1.63, and 3.8% Fe2+, respectively.
Characterisation of concrete with expanded polystyrene, eggshell powder and non-potable water : a case study
(2023-05) Mncwango, Bonke; Allopi, Dhiren
Urbanisation has brought many benefits but it has also highlighted the global lack of housing alongside global natural resource scarcity. Lack of housing on the surface appears to be a singular problem, however in reality it represents a number of society’s biggest challenges such as crime, pollution (as a result of inadequate waste disposal strategies), unhygienic living conditions, as well as numerous health problems. Governments across the world have made various attempts at addressing the issue of lack of housing, including embarking on large scale social and public housing initiatives, building smaller homes for the homeless, as well as removing certain regulatory barriers to allow more houses to be built at a reduced timeframe. These advances have assisted many individuals and families globally, however, there are still many individuals and families that government housing-aid or housing initiatives have not yet reached. These individuals and families are faced with solving their housing crisis on their own, with their own resources. Globally, concrete remains a supreme building material in the construction industry and therefore is a primary factor of consideration for solving the housing crisis, especially for those who have no financial assistance or aid from government. Concrete’s composition is simple: cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and water. The intricate interaction between all four components is meant to stand the test of time. Unfortunately, it is not only the earth’s diminishing natural resource reserves which are causing a decline in the popularity of conventionally produced concrete, but it is also the irreparable harm that it is causing to the environment. The process of concrete production requires large volumes of cement, and cement remains one of the biggest producers of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which in excessive amounts creates a cover that traps the sun’s heat energy in the atmosphere. Another major criticism of conventional concrete is the requirement that it be produced with clean water which is of a drinkable standard. This criticism is justified when considering the extreme water shortages that are experienced by many low to middle income countries around the world. The amount of financial and human resources that local authorities invest in cleansing water to bring it to a drinkable standard is often overlooked. It is obvious that it is less expensive to use water directly from a river in its natural state than using it after it has undergone numerous cleansing processes by local authorities. There have been a notable number of advances in making concrete more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly. These include the advent of lightweight concretes such as expanded polystyrene concrete. Expanded polystyrene concrete not only saves the amount of aggregate that would normally be required in conventional concrete, it also has excellent acoustic and thermal properties, thereby reducing energy consumption which in turn saves money. However, even with such excellent properties, expanded polystyrene concrete still fails to address two of concrete’s major criticisms which are related to the amount of cement used as well as the amount of clean potable water required for mixing. Therefore, by building on the qualities of expanded polystyrene concrete, this research investigates the potential of lowering the amount of cement required in a concrete mix through the use of eggshell powder. Eggshells are a waste product found everywhere in the world and are readily available in almost limitless quantities. The use of eggshells in concrete to lower the amount of cement required will not only achieve a reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide that is produced in the process of producing concrete, it will also assist in contributing toward solving the escalating waste disposal crisis that currently exists for many waste types such as eggshells. It is common for communities to reside close to a river or a natural flowing watercourse, so this research included river water as a variable. Four different concrete mix scenarios were tested to ascertain through experimentation whether the strength properties of concrete that contains expanded polystyrene, eggshell powder and natural river water in various proportions could in any way compare to a conventionally produced concrete mix. In order to comprehensively study material behaviour in this case, sieve analysis, bulk density, fineness modulus, moisture content as well as specific gravity tests were performed on all aggregates used. Furthermore, in order to achieve the required analytical depth for the materials being studied, x-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy tests were conducted. As a means of conducting further trend analysis on the different experimental mixes, logarithmic regression models were developed. Through analysis of the output attained from the aforementioned strategies, this research study found that when cement was substituted by eggshell powder at a percentage of 5 % and simultaneously when coarse aggregate was also substituted by expanded polystyrene at a percentage of 5 %, all mixed with non-potable water, the compressive and flexural strength outcomes marginally differed from the strength outcomes of conventionally produced concrete. Furthermore, the substitution of stone by EPS at a percentage of 10 % when mixed with river water was comparable to the substitution of stone by EPS at a percentage of 10 % when mixed with potable water. The results showed that there was a difference of not more than 1.4 MPa and 0.3 MPa in compressive and flexural strength respectively amongst the averages obtained at each age tested. Study results show that the substitution of potable water by non-potable water reduced both the compressive and flexural strength of the concrete when the mix did not contain eggshell powder. However, when eggshell powder was included in the mix, the strength outcomes of the compressive and flexural strength of the concrete mix was comparable to that of conventionally produced concrete. There may be many reasons why it is important to not deviate from convention in the production of numerous products such as concrete; nevertheless, the value of experimentation as demonstrated in this research is that experimentation can give rise to a variety of innovations accompanied by a wealth of solutions to the environmental and socio-economic issues that the world is currently faced with.
Comparative analysis of the implementation of Toyota Production System between a tier-one and tier-two supplier
(2024-05) Govender, Prenisha; Dewa, Mendon
The Toyota Production systems (TPS) is a methodology that is widely used in the manufacturing automotive industry. The Toyota pyramid model consists of four levels which can be dissected into the first level of philosophy, the second level named process, the third pillar of people and partners, and lastly the problem-solving level. These are also characterised by 14 principles of the model. However, many suppliers face challenges in implementing these principles from the Toyota pyramid model due to lack of knowledge, understanding or available framework for easy implementation and guidance. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the level of implementation of the 14 principles of the Toyota pyramid model by a tier-one and tiertwo supplier. This study also identified areas of strengths and weakness and made provisions for continuous improvement initiatives at each supplier for future work. A quantitative research methodology with a questionnaire as the research instrument, was adopted for this study. A 5-point Likert type scale was used to elicit responses from 25 research participants from the tier-one and tier-two suppliers. Data analysis was conducted through descriptive values of the means, skewness and kurtosis, and an independent sample t-test was used as an inferential tool to establish the relationship between the tier-one and tier-two supplier. Value stream mapping was also deployed to identify the current production processes and kaizen bursts that characterized the two organisations. The results from the comparative analysis of the level of implementation of the Toyota pyramid model revealed that tier-one supplier was demonstrating better performance than tier-two supplier in the implementation of the 14 principles. In addition, the results demonstrated that principle 1, from the philosophy level had a higher mean or was stronger for each supplier. On the hand, principle 8 and principle 12 were found to be weaker in each supplier respectively. The areas of improvement which were highlighted in the kaizen bursts on the value stream map were addressed and kaizen implementation was undertaken. These improvement initiatives included rebalancing a seat-cover assembly line and deployment of an andon management system at the tier-one supplier to improve line efficiency and line management. A framework was also proposed for the tier-two supplier to bridge the gap in its practice for implementation of the Toyota pyramid model principles. Additional principles were added to this framework to ensure an easier and understandable methodology and framework to be referred to for suppliers and companies to improve.
A comparative study of the construction of road formation layers using labour-intensive versus traditional mechanistic methods on road 1264 in KZN
(2022-05-13) Mkhize, Mongezi S.; Walker, Mark; Mckune, Tom
The urgent need to upgrade and construct roads in South Africa is one of the many critical utility provision challenges faced by the municipalities, consultants and departments involved in road construction. The biggest challenge that is faced by the government is to minimise unemployment and increase skills transfer through the training of inexperienced local communities on road construction. The road can be constructed using traditional mechanistic methods (TMM), commonly known as plant machines, which makes more use of plant machine than labour. On the other hand, the road can also be constructed using the labour-intensive construction (LIC) method which utilises more labour involvement during construction and minimal machine usage. The purpose of this research is to provide insight into the time and cost comparison between LIC and TMM of constructing road formation layers. Road D1264 in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal will be used as a case study in the research to compare the difference between labour-intensive and traditional mechanistic construction of road formation layers, using cost and time to reach the same quality. This research aims to promote the use of LIC roadbed construction to be used more frequently in the road construction industry in South Africa. The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) encourages road construction to be undertaken using labour- intensive methods to allow unemployed people to be given more job opportunities. Municipalities, consultants and departments involved with road construction will be assisted through this research in making informed decisions and selections thereafter of the most reliable road formation construction method in terms of time and cost. Available cost, time and quality data from the Road D1264 will be used to compare the construction of road formation layers using LIC versus TMM in KZN. The decision making process will lie in the hands of the municipalities and consultants based on the cost and time required to complete the project. Furthermore, a quantitative survey questionnaire was developed by the researcher. This questionnaire was aimed at the road construction technical experts in the Department of Transport, Department of Works, consultants and the roads departments of districts and local municipalities. The results of the survey questionnaires revealed that the road construction experts agree with the finding of this study that LIC is more expensive when compared to TMM. LIC is also more time-consuming than TMM. LIC and TMM produce the same quality. The survey questionnaire revealed that South Africa may be advancing over the years in the use of LIC methods; however, more education in the form of training, seminars and other methds of marketing must be undertaken, starting at the universities, municipal level, the Department of Transport, Department of Works, and consultants. The comparative research in this study using the available data from Road D1264 revealed that during the construction of the road formation layers, using LIC is more expensive when compared to TMM. LIC is also more time-consuming than TMM. LIC and TMM produce the same quality. But it cannot be ignored that LIC creates employment particularly for women, youth and the disabled within the community. LIC maximises the use of local materials and plant owners as suppliers of goods and services. LIC can be the country’s solution to unemployment and porvety.
Durban Container Terminal role in achieving national development plan goals on sustainable development
(2024-05) Ntuli, Muziwokuthula Nkanyiso; Allopi, Dhiren
Durban Container Terminal (DCT) operations contribute significantly to emission release. DCT operations directly threaten sustainable development and South Africa’s Sustainable National Development Plan (NDP) goals. Sustainable port development aims to create scenarios for “Ports of the Future” that are green, sustainable and have minimal or no impact on the environment. The problem statement is defined as DCT's role in failure to achieve sustainable development targets set by the NDP and the United Nations (UN). The current DCT operation setup promotes an increase in cargo handling coupled with numerous socioeconomic activities, which is a constant source of increasing pressure on the limited natural resources and a continuous threat to sustainable development in the Durban areas. The aim and objectives are to investigate and explore the reasons why DCT fails to achieve sustainable development goals set up by the NDP and the UN. The quantitative research method helped to answer questions on relationships within measurable variables to explain, predict, and control a phenomenon concerning sustainable development goals for the container terminal. The findings presented challenges and a threat to DCT if the current position concerning service requirements, costs and demands for sustainability is not addressed. The literature, studies and engineering reports illustrate the available technologies that respond to sustainable development requirements. The theory supports the critical role played by the dry port, terminal layout, and operating system in mitigating emissions release during operations. The engineering and DCT electricity consumption annual reports confirm the high consumption of energy during operations. The results from the port equipment, infrastructure, road and rail integration, and dry port explain why DCT fails to achieve the sustainable development goals set by the NDP and the UN. DCT depends on the main grid energy supply originating from fossil energy sources. This has led to 58 967tCO2e for DCT operation from equipment and electrical infrastructure. The poor rail conditions have increased temporary speed restrictions (TSRs). The lack of investment in the rail infrastructure, rail maintenance, and TSR takes away the opportunity to have a dry port and reduces the number of containers travelling by road. The DCT integrated logistics system is missing the possibility of reducing CO2 emission release by 30 085.4tCO2e. The simulating model confirmed the dominance of trucks and was followed by port equipment concerning CO2 release. The results illustrate the impact of the ineffective role of rail freight. It indicates that if the number of wagons is increased, the number of trucks on the road will decrease, resulting in a CO2 release reduction. The DCT integrated operating model assessment results explain why DCT is not realizing the national development plan’s objectives for sustainable development goals. DCT consumes high amounts of energy and contributes to CO2 emissions, primarily through road and rail freight. Ineffective operational planning and poor rail conditions significantly impact CO2 release. The DCT terminal operation itself contributes only 10% of the integrated operation's CO2 emissions, with road and rail freight releasing 90%. The simulated model highlights the dominance of trucks in CO2 emissions, followed by port equipment, and poor rail conditions preventing DCT from achieving sustainable development goals. The introduction of a dry port as an intermodal hub could promote economic growth and reduce road congestion and carbon emissions. However, the poor rail conditions make the proposed Cato Ridge/Camperdown dry port unviable. DCT's main challenges in achieving sustainable development goals are categorized into three focus areas: Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Climate Action. This analysis will help provide the best operating and sustainable development scenario for DCT, which could include the introduction of hybrid equipment, energy-saving technology, and improved rail infrastructure. Adopting a reconfigured DCT-integrated operating model is recommended since it has no significate operational changes within the DCT terminal. The reconfigured DCT integrated operations introduce a dry port and a rail infrastructure upgrade to accommodate 150 wagon trains. The reconfigured DCT integrated operating model promotes the reduction of container trucks calling for a DCT terminal, unlocking decent work and economic growth, sustainable cities, and communities within the Midlands region.
Exploring industry's contribution to the labour-intensive construction of low order rural community access roads
(2020) Jairam, Santosh; Allopi, Dhiren
The Government of South Africa supports labour-intensive work methodologies as a means of alleviating unemployment in South Africa. In 2004 the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) was formed to promote labour-intensive work methods due to the high unemployment situation. The EPWP is a nationwide programme using public funds to encourage employment by using labour-intensive work methodologies with the intention of reducing national poverty. The programme covers four sectors. The four sectors are environment and culture, infrastructure, social and non-state. The largest component is infrastructure; roads being part of the infrastructure component provides the highest potential for employment creation. Both international and local experience has revealed that by having trained supervisory staff and a proper employment framework, labour-intensive work methods can be successfully used for projects such as roads, sidewalks, storm water drains, trenches, buildings, sanitation and water. The national government, based on this experience and due to high levels of unemployment, has encouraged the use of these type of infrastructure projects as a way of contributing to the alleviation of unemployment. “Only twelve per cent of the road sector budget is used for labour-intensive projects” (Public Works 2012b: 1). This implies that there have been no drastic changes in the extent to which labour-intensive work methodologies have been used in the road works programme. This study focused on exploring parastatals’, consultants’ and contractors’ contribution to the labour-intensive construction of low order rural community access roads in the Outer West region of eThekwini’s Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, in accordance with the EPWP Guidelines. The population consisted of 101 individuals from the contracting, consulting and parastatal fields of employment who had worked on EPWP related labour-intensive road projects in this region. All 101 individuals were chosen as the sample size A qualitative and quantitative approach was used in this research to gather data on the contribution made by the civil engineering industry to the promotion of labourintensive road construction methods. This approach allowed for an understanding of the motivation and the experiences of consultants, contractors and parastatals regarding the design and construction management choices they have made. Data was collected via a questionnaire containing open-ended questions and rating scales from 87 civil engineering staff that were employed by parastatals, contractors and consultants who were involved in designing, constructing and managing labourintensive construction of low order rural community access roads in the Outer West region of eThekwini Municipality. In addition, interviews were conducted with same 87 civil engineering staff that were involved in designing, constructing and managing these labour-intensive road construction projects during the period from 2015 to 2019. Data collected overwhelmingly suggested that very little practically is being done to promote labour-intensive construction of low order community access roads. The nature of engagement that does occur is largely through the filling in of basic reporting forms and providing basic small scale informal training and work to labour. No standard specification document is in place to enforce labour-intensive construction of rural community access roads. The documents that are in place merely serve as guidelines and administrative data collection tools rather than helping to promote labour-intensive road construction.
Exploring participatory planning practices for informal street traders in small towns : the case of Ladysmith CBD
(2020-10-06) Mlotshwa, Ntobeko; Erwin, Kira; Musvoto, Godfrey Gombana
The reality of informal street trading across the African continent has not been fully recognised as a legitimate economic activity through meaningful participatory planning practices in the design and demarcation of trading spaces in CBDs. This has driven challenges of inclusion in development plans, overlooked positive linkages that exist within the formal-informal economies and limited service delivery in terms of decent working conditions for traders through repressive practices that street traders face constantly. The regulatory and governance relationships between street traders and local government practitioners have been difficult and complicated. Although there are progressive practices in the governance of street trading in other developing and less developed countries, local government practitioners continue to restrict trading activities in public spaces. The aim of this research is to explore the extent of participatory planning practices applied to the governance of street traders in the small town of Ladysmith, KwaZulu Natal. The literature review highlights various exclusionary discourses around the exclusion of street traders that are incompatible with the theories of participatory planning. This is exacerbated by the practitioner’s continual struggle with apartheid planning approaches that hold negative narratives which illegalise street trading. The latter results in the imposition of restrictive regulatory bylaws on street trading in the CBD. A qualitative case study approach was used in this study to produce context-dependent knowledge. Direct observations of trading environments and semi-structured interviews were conducted with street traders and municipal practitioners to assist in answering the research question. A qualitative thematic analysis was used in this research to identify themes that address the research question. The results showed that there are inconsistences in the street trading governance system of the municipality and that participation is well articulated in local urban development policies, but that implementation stages exclude traders. This research concluded that the extent of participatory planning in Ladysmith appeared to be restrictive towards street traders in the CBD. Therefore, it is recommended that municipal practitioners establish meaningful and progressive practices that will benefit both the municipality and street traders.
Extraction of caffeine from spent coffee grounds using ionic liquids
(2023-05) Singh, Nikita; Chetty, Manimagalay; Deenadayalu, Nirmala
Coffee is the most popular beverage consumed and the second-highest commodity in the world, after crude oil. In 2018, a total of 9,5 million metric tons of coffee were produced globally. This in turn generated 6 million tons of waste coffee grounds. In South Africa alone, it is estimated that approximately 100 million cups of coffee are brewed a year, resulting in 3000 tonnes of waste produced, of which 93% ends up in landfill sites (Lombard, 2021). This abundant waste source has shown promising potential for reusing, recycling, or converting the waste into valuable products like biofuels, fertilizers, animal feed, high-value chemicals, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products such as caffeine for medicinal purposes. Besides coffee being one of the most important agricultural commodities in the world, coffee is also one of the most valuable primary products in world trade. Coffee is also the central and popular activity of many cultures. The most popular reason for the consumption of coffee is its refreshing properties. Large quantities of this waste pose threats to the environment as it is a source of severe contamination and serious health problems. To avoid this catastrophe of the coffee waste, spent coffee grounds can be utilised to generate valuable products. The long-term usage of fossil fuels depletes the finite supply and contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) and exhaust emissions. The global economic and environmental crisis related to the usage of fossil fuels and the fast depletion of natural resources has raised much awareness and need to find alternate strategies for cleaner and greener energy and chemical products needed for recycling waste has risen drastically. The use of biomass and other lignocellulosic material to produce bio-fuels and other high value products show promising results. Using lignocellulosic material has attracted considerable amounts of attention due its renewable nature and being abundantly available. Lignocellulosic material is used for sustainable development in the world. In this study caffeine extraction is a promising solution for sustainable development, where biomass is valorised. The characterisation of spent coffee grounds (SCGs) using Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper (TAPPI) methods was carried out. The effect of temperature, reaction time and solid-to-liquid loading ratio on the yield of caffeine extracted from spent coffee grounds was investigated. Simultaneously, the best extraction solvent between the (i) ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazodium chloride (98%), (ii) dichloromethane and (iii) water was determined. Variation of the parameters were established using the Box-Behnken design of experiment (DOE) methodology which varied the (i) temperature (88-120 degrees Celsius), (ii) reaction time (15-35 minutes) and (iii) solid-to-liquid loading ratio (20 g/10-25 mL). For the extraction process, both the conventional method and green method (IL and water) were investigated. The conventional method includes using dichloromethane as the extraction solvent, whereas the green method makes use of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolim chloride and water as the extraction solvents. Extraction was carried out in a Parr pressure reactor where solid-liquid extraction occurs. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the yield of extracted caffeine. Recrystallization of the highest caffeine yield was carried out and thereafter analysed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transition Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The maximum yield of caffeine was obtained at the optimum conditions of 120 °C for 25 minutes using 25 mL volume of extracting solvent. The caffeine extracted from 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, water and dichloromethane was 726.22mg/L, 646.33mg/L and 566.12mg/L respectively. Alternatively stated as 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium chloride, water and dichloromethane extracted 0.00363 g caffeine / 1 g SCG, 0.00323 g caffeine / 1 g SCG and 0.00283 g caffeine / 1 g SCG respectively. SEM images of the spent coffee grounds prior to extraction displayed a dense morphological chain-like structure, with large lumps present. The structure was tightly bonded together and appeared rough. After extraction using each solvent, the SEM micrographs were analysed. Extractions done with the IL demonstrated full degradation. The structure was loose, multiple open pores on the surface with a smooth and thin appearance. The water extractions appeared almost same to that of the IL, but slightly thicker. Lastly, extractions using DCM appeared to be unsuccessful as the SCG attempted to be broken but were still together. The surface had no open pores, rather an oil coated layer covering the spent coffee grounds. EDS results from 99% pure caffeine standard was compared against the caffeine extracted by all three extraction solvents. Pure caffeine appeared clean, properly formed, big separate particles and distinctive shapes. The caffeine extracted using IL was similar to the structure, crystallinity and appearance of the pure caffeine. Caffeine extracted by water were in long shards, but not fully individual/separated. The caffeine extracted by DCM appeared less crystalline, much smaller in size and more compact. DSC compared the melting points of the pure caffeine standard to those caffeine samples extracted by different solvents, thus providing the purity of the extracted caffeine. The standard caffeine sample had a melting point of 233. 55 ºC equalling 99 % pure. The melting points of 226. 52 ºC; 212. 28 ºC and 200 ºC were obtained for IL, water and DCM respectively. Purity obtained were 96 %, 90 % and 85 % per respective extraction solvent.
Geographic information system as a vessel for conventional and alternative forms of zoning
(2020-10-06) Kitching, Joseph; Musvoto, Godfrey Gombana
Given the well-documented rates of global urbanisation and the fact that sub-Saharan Africa is set to urbanise at the highest rate during the next few decades, it is easy to understand that urban management systems will increasingly be under pressure to operate efficiently, effectively and transparently in order to circumvent potential economic, social and environmental disasters. A land-use management system is one of the management systems in urban areas aimed at ensuring health and safety, environmental quality, sustainability, social equity, and amenity, amongst others. Since the beginning of the twentieth-century, a key tool of planners wishing to accomplish this, has been zoning. Although zoning has been abused, and heavily criticised for that, the objectives of zoning systems around the world echo noble values such as promoting environments that are safe from flooding and fire hazards, that encourage harmonious communities and economic growth, that preserve agricultural land, and protect the natural environment. Conventional zoning, which was significantly shaped by the US Supreme court’s village of Euclid decision, focuses on the separation of incongruent land uses. There are also several other types of zoning such a flexible Euclidean zoning, performance- based zoning and even no zoning. Amongst the novel types are form-based codes, which stem from the New Urbanism paradigm. Form-based codes focus more on the public realm and the appearance of spaces and structures rather than the use of space. Practically and problematically, both conventional and alternative zoning schemes are currently comprised of a map and a separate text document. The map depicts the geographic dispersion of zones, typically related to properties or zoning districts. The text document contains regulations pertaining to the various zones, procedures and definitions. Alongside the inefficient separation of regulation and map, are the variations within single zones where specific, locally important, regulations apply to some properties within the zone. Geographic information systems (GIS) have been evolving since the mid-twentieth century and have gained serious traction with the advent of the microcomputer. Defined by many as a system that captures, collects, manages, analyses and presents geographic data and attributes, it is essentially a database linked to a geographic component, In the case of zoning, it currently comprises geographic properties linked to attributes describing the zoning. The rigid, surveyed, property boundaries make the vector or discrete objects model ideal for the representation of zoning. The raster model – the other half of the debate – is useful in representing images supporting the regulations. Given the need for more efficient systems, the pervasiveness of corruption and poor capacity in municipal systems, the omni-present abuse of power, the need for an informed citizenry and laws that are comprehensible, this study aims to see if GIS can be used to represent the regulations in conventional and alternative schemes. To establish this, six sample cities from around the world, more than twenty conventional zones in the eThekwini municipality and two zones from the Daufuskie form-based code were assessed to determine what types of regulations are common and whether they could be represented as either geographic norms or attributes to geographic features. This study found that GIS is able to represent all regulations in conventional schemes and most of the regulations in alternative zoning. It also found that some regulations are naturally inclined to spatial representation, others as attributes, and still others as scanned attachments or hyperlinks. This implies that there is no need for the separation of regulations from property and the confusion and potential misinterpretation that are associated with current practices.
The green township infrastructure design toolkit : creating eco efficient engineering solutions
(2017) Saroop, Shian Hemraj; Allopi, Dhiren
There is a growing need for co-ordination of design, sustainability, economic and environmental aspects of infrastructure projects. The provision of civil infrastructure has a major impact on the natural environment and on the quality of life. A literature review conducted highlighted that infrastructure development was focused mainly on the financial and engineering aspects of projects. There is an urgent need to apply technologies and methods that deliver better and more sustainable performance of civil infrastructure as well as a need to establish a standard of measurement for greener infrastructure. The literature review revealed that the existing tools do not adequately rate and monitor civil engineering infrastructure design decisions from concept stage, through to detailed design and implementation. The objectives of the research were to identify green design technologies that can be used in township infrastructure and to encourage sustainable design on infrastructure township services, at various stages of the project. This would require the development of a green reporting system that incorporates environmentally friendly infrastructure design solutions. This study identified alternative eco-efficient civil infrastructure design solutions and developed sustainability criteria to analyse the eco-efficiency of infrastructure projects. The study proposed a Green Township Infrastructure Design Toolkit aimed at ensuring high-performance, eco-efficient, economical and environmentally friendly design decisions on stormwater, roads, water and sanitation related to township infrastructure projects. Various case studies were undertaken on a range of infrastructure projects to ensure consistency and reliability of the toolkit. Through a series of green reports, developed for each stage of a project, the toolkit measured the environmental efficiency of the design solutions. Recommendations suggest that engineering practitioners should endeavour to integrate greener engineering solutions into the traditional method of designing of infrastructure projects. The Green Township Infrastructure Design Toolkit with the use of its green reporting tools ensures the design of sustainable township infrastructure services, by progressively ensuring efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable provision of infrastructure services.
High voltage transmission system planning for a southern African regional grid
(2022-09-29) Ndlela, Nomihla Wandile; Davidson, Innocent Ewaen
It is proposed to use highly complex power system controllers to integrate African power grids into super-grids capable of accepting high levels of renewable energy penetration while maintaining power quality, active and reactive power flow, voltage, and power system stability. The proposed super-grid is built with ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) and flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS), as well as dedicated AC and DC interconnectors with intelligent system applications, to create a Smart Integrated African Super-Grid. DC interconnectors will divide the continent's power grid into five substantial asynchronous portions (regions). Asynchronous segments will restrict AC fault propagation across segments while permitting power interchange between various regions of the super-grid, with minimal difficulties for grid code unification or harmonization of regular design regimes across the continent, as each segment retains its autonomy. A Smart African Integrated Electrical Power System Super-Grid powered by these technologies is critical to Africa's long-term economic growth and development; it is built on the foundation of green energy and harnesses over 200GW untapped potential of Africa's clean renewable hydro-electric, solar-PV, and wind power as part of a vast energy mix comprised of conventional and alternating energy resources. The proposed Super-Grid will power Africa's emerging economy and serve its 1.3 billion people by facilitating electricity trading and power exchange between regional power pools and countries. This study focuses on the development of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), into a robust Southern Africa regional grid (SARG), and prospects for a Smart Integrated African Super Grid. The Southern African countries have the potential to have a reliable, sustainable, and efficient electrical power grid; thus, the use of renewable energy is strongly encouraged, as is upgrading the existing AC grid, including encouraging power interconnections to exchange power more specifically for long-distance transmission networks when transmitting bulk power using High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and installing suitable FACTS controllers to maximize power transfer. Thus, the modernization of the traditional Power Grid into a Smart Grid will enable two-way digital communication technology by providing utilities with real-time, precise data on electricity demand, power outages, and quality of supply. This study develops a load flow model for a robust Southern African Regional Grid, and introduces a number of power interconnections for power exchange in the Southern African Regional Grid, to increase grid reliability, and reduce electrical losses. This load flow analysis was carried out using DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Results obtained from varying the load and observing the generator and transmission lines for different scenarios, using HVDC, and HVDC transmission links with FACTS controllers, are discussed and presented. This study is valuable as we seek to enable all SAPP countries to interchange power more efficiently, especially those who lack access to electricity
Hydrological modelling under limited data availability : a case study of Umdloti River, South Africa
(2016) Mashiyane, Thulasizwe Innocent; Adeyemo, Josiah
Due to the water scarcity in South Africa, new strategies in management planning are needed in order to sustain water resources. The increase of population and economic growth in South Africa has a negative effect on the water resources. Therefore, it should be well managed. The main concerns of the sustainability of water resources are hydropower, irrigation for agriculture, domestic and industries. Hence, the use of integrated water resources management in a single system which is built up by a river basin will help in water resources. This study was focused on water management issues: some of the principal causes of water shortages in UMdloti River are discussed. The current situation of water supply and demand at present is discussed. It also addressed some essential elements of reasonable, cooperative and sustainable water resources management solutions. Many developing countries are characterized as there is limited data availability, water scarcity and decrease of water levels in the dams. The eThekwini municipality is also having similar problems. Water resources have been modelled under this limited data using the hydrological modelling techniques by assessing the streamflow and observed data. The aim of the study was to address the issue of water management how water supply sources can be sustained to be manageable to meet the population growth demand considering the capacity of Hazelmere Dam demand downstream of the dam. Hydrological models, simulation, and decision making support systems were used to achieve all the research objectives. Hazelmere Dam has been modelled so that it can be used efficiently for the benefit of all users downstream of the dam for their economic and ecological benefits. Monthly reservoir inflow data for Hazelmere Dam was obtained from the Department of Water Affairs, South Africa. The nature of data is streamflow volume in mega liter (Ml) recorded for every month of the year. This was converted to mega cubic meter (Mm3) for use in the analysis herein. A period spanning 19 years of data (1994 – 2013) was used for the analysis. Six parametric probability distribution models were developed for estimating the monthly streamflow at Hazelmere Dam. These probability distribution functions include; Normal, Log-Normal (LN), Pearson III, Log-Pearson type III (LP3), Gumbel extreme value type1 (EVI) and Log-Gumbel (LG). It was observed that UMdloti River is smaller when compared with other rivers within the KwaZulu-Natal Province which could make it difficult to implement integrated water resources management. The hydro-meteorological data collected also has some limitations. The meteorological stations are far away to one another and this would make it difficult to attach their readings with the corresponding water basin. The comparison between the observed and simulated streamflow indicated that there was a good agreement between the observed and simulated discharge. Even though, the performance of the model was satisfactory, yet, it should not be generalized equally for all purposes. The erosion on the study area must be addressed by the stakeholders. It must be minimized in order to sustain the water resources of the UMdloti River. Erosion has a bad impact on the environment because it causes environmental degradation as well. Further investigations are recommended that account for the geological characteristics and the source of the base flow to make sure the rate of groundwater is sufficient for any future developments. Harnessing more energy from existing water sources within the frontier of the country is important in capacitating the South African Government’s commitment to reduction of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy while meeting a national target of 3,725 megawatts by 2030. This study also aimed to determine the amount of energy that can be generated from Hazelmere Dam on the uMdloti River, South Africa. Behavioral analyses of the Hazelmere reservoir were performed using plausible scenarios. Feasible alternative reservoir operation models were formulated and investigated to determine the best operating policy and power system configuration. This study determines the amounts of monthly and total annual energy that can be generated from Hazelmere reservoir based on turbines efficiencies of 75%, 85% and 90%. Optimization models were formulated to maximize hydropower generation within the constraints of existing abstractions, hydrological and system constraints. Differential evolution (DE) optimization method was adopted to resolve the optimization models. The methodology was applied for an operating season. The optimization models were formulated to maximize hydropower generation while keeping within the limits of existing irrigation demands. Differential evolution algorithm was employed to search feasible solution space for the best policy. Reservoir behavioural analysis was conducted to inspect the feasibility of generating hydropower from the Hazelmere reservoir under normal flow conditions. Optimization models were formulated to maximize hydropower generation from the dam. DE was employed to resolve the formulated models within the confines of the system constraints. It was found that 527.51 MWH of annual energy may be generated from the dam without system failure. Storage was maintained above critical levels while the reservoir supplied the full demands on the dam throughout the operating period indicating that the system yield is sufficient and there is no immediate need to augment the system.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on small and medium enterprises within the construction industry in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
(2023-09) Ndlovu, Sinothi Nizo Blessing; Mewomo, Modupe Cecilia
Globally, small and medium enterprises contribute to alleviating poverty, inequality, and unemployment in the society. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges faced by these firms as the pandemic is having a devastating impact on their survival and operations. Against this backdrop, this study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small and medium enterprises within the construction and engineering industries in KwaZuluNatal province, South Africa. The mixed-methods research was conducted to help validate the findings. The data was collected from 355 respondents, including employees, managers and SME owners. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. The qualitative data was analysed with the help of the NVivo, latest version 13. On the other hand, the quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), latest version 26.0. The quantitative results a strong positive relationship between COVID-19 and the financial performance of small and medium enterprises. On the other hand, the qualitative findings indicated that pandemic and subsequent lockdowns resulted in revenue loss, limited spare financial resources, lack of cash reserves, financial distress, limited access to bank loan/credit, negative growth sales, loss of sales, and reduction in cash flow. Moreover, the results of the quantitative study a strong positive relationship between COVID-19 and small and medium enterprises productivity. The qualitative findings also established that the pandemic negatively affected the productivity of small and medium enterprises as a result of disruption of the global supply chain, reduction in production, decrease in production inputs, decrease in capacity use, restriction in the shipment of goods, decrease in business operations and unavailability of raw materials.
Investigating factors associated with insolvencies among civil engineering contractors in KwaZulu-Natal
(2016) Ntuli, Bongumusa Nhlakanipho Siphesihle; Allopi, Dhiren
Insolvency may be broadly defined as an inability of business entity to meet pending financial commitments. For a construction firm, such a situation creates conditions whereby a business entity is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations with regard to work in progress or creditors owing. There are indications to suggest that during periods of adverse conditions the occurrences of insolvencies are mutually exclusive and remain a subject of debate. The occurrence of these financial failures adversely affect business concerns operating within the civil engineering construction industry. In South Africa, figures released by the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC) in 1992 suggested an expected general decline in workload handled by this sector. This was a result of scaling down of heavy infrastructure projects because of government shifting focus to housing and other related projects mainly towards meeting the needs of the previously disadvantaged communities. During that period large contractors suffered financially and some went through insolvency. The government had also put emphasis on transformation of the sector to allow participation of emerging and small contractors, but this was not properly regulated, so most of these contractors did not have the experience and skills to operate sustainable construction firms. The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) was established in 2000 as a statutory body to provide leadership to stakeholders and to stimulate sustainable growth, reform and improvement of the construction public sector for effective delivery and the industry’s enhanced role in the country’s economy. The CIDB’s regulations were implemented after 2003 and are continuously improving the construction public sector’s growth. This research study investigated and evaluated the factors associated with insolvencies amongst civil engineering contractors in KwaZulu-Natal. The study investigated the hypotheses that “the prominent factors associated with civil engineering contractors insolvencies are related to managerial/operational issues”, the prominent factors associated with civil engineering contractors insolvencies are related to financial issues”, “South African government initiatives create an environment for small to medium contractors to develop through their implementation”, and good management and operation of small to medium construction companies reduce insolvency in construction”. Operational management and strategic factors were found to be amongst the leading causes of companies failures. The study also made some recommendations from the research findings. The findings are relevant to the South African government infrastructure service delivery programs and the general issue of affordable infrastructure services.
An investigation into road safety education in KwaZulu-Natal
(2005) Sunker, Neeraj
Road fatalities claim more than one million lives annually worldwide. The emotional, social and economic impact of road traffic fatalities demands urgent attention globally. This epidemic of road traffic fatalities is plaguing everyone, especially the poorer nations. Some countries like Australia and Sweden have been more successful than others in combating this epidemic. South Africa is currently seeking strategies to combat this epidemic because South Africa’s road traffic fatalities have been increasing annually, with a substantial percentage of teenagers and young adults between the ages of 16 and 29 contributing to these statistics. This age group will become or already have become part of the economically active population and concern is mounting as to why this particular age group is vulnerable. This thesis provides an overview of the road safety problem globally, nationally, provincially and locally and also looks at the historical factors that have contributed to this problem. The Victorian model, which has been classified as the ‘world’s best practice’, has been reviewed. A pilot survey was conducted at the Mangosuthu Technikon and the focal survey was conducted at the tertiary institutions in the Durban area. Students from this sector were selected as they fall in the most vulnerable age group and data was collected from them on various aspects of road safety. On analysing the data, various problems were identified, in particular, lack of resources and limited education pertaining to road safety. A range of possible solutions is recommended and the focus areas are the 3E’s namely: education, enforcement and engineering. However, the focal recommendation is on education and looks at the possibility of introducing learner’s licence testing to the grade 12 syllabi.
An investigation into the effectiveness of industrialising Software Quality Assurance (SQA) in small software businesses
(2024-05) Patel, Meena; Olanrewaju, Oludolapo Akanni
Poor software quality has far-reaching consequences, including financial losses and potential risks to life. A significant proportion (92%) of software development is undertaken by very small to medium-sized software businesses. However, resource constraints often limit their ability to implement quality standards and methods that could enhance their product quality. Industrialization, a management concept for cost-effective production, offers potential solutions. While prior research has explored the industrialization of software development and quality assurance in large companies, a gap exists regarding its application in small software businesses. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of industrializing the software quality assurance (SQA) process within small software businesses. Adopting a qualitative approach with an interpretivist philosophy, inductive methodology, and exploratory strategy, this study employed semi-structured interviews to collect data. Participants included software developers and quality assurance representatives from five small software development businesses located in KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape provinces, South Africa. The theoretical foundation of this study draws upon Total Quality Management (TQM) principles and dimensions of industrialization (modularization, standardization, specialization, automation, and continuous improvement), as developed by experts during the early and mid-20th century. The data collected was analysed using thematic analysis with support from Nvivo software. Results revealed that despite lacking established quality assurance strategies and process evaluation mechanisms, small software businesses effectively meet customer needs. Moreover, these businesses exhibit potential for successful industrialization, particularly focusing on the testing processes. Implications of these findings include the positive impact on the capacity of small businesses to sustain themselves within local economies.
Investigation on road infrastructure, traffic and safety within the Port of Durban
(2013) Kunene, Oscar M.; Allopi, Dhiren
An increase in road traffic, poor road conditions and high numbers of road accidents are major challenges at the Port of Durban. Roads are considered as the most important transport mode at the Port of Durban. Road transport has taken almost 80% of the import and export cargo while railway transport is left with approximately 20%. It is estimated that 75 million lives in the world will be lost and 750 million people injured in road accidents in the first half of the 21th century. The Port of Durban is an important vehicle for facilitating economic growth of local, regional and national industries. For the Port to maintain global competitiveness with the current trend of globalization, it has to ensure that roads are well maintained, safe and have a smooth traffic flow with no delays. This study provides an overview of the road infrastructure within the Port of Durban in relation to road condition, safety, law enforcement and traffic. Existing and ongoing studies conducted in South Africa and abroad form part of the literature review. This study identifies factors that are affecting the condition of road infrastructure such as growth of container cargo, an increase in the dimension and weight of trucks, transport deregulation, port layout and handling equipments. Deregulation of road transport over the past years has resulted in an 80:20 split between road and rail transport putting more pressure on roads. Cost and time are the major deciding factors in the freight industry. Most customers prefer to use road transport due to the lower cost and reduced time compared to rail transport. There are eight major roads within the Port that connect the South, West and North of eThekwini Municipality namely Bayhead, Quayside, Maydon, Rick Turner, Wisely, South Coast, Bluff and Iran Roads. Asset verification and assessment of the condition of the existing eight major roads found that Quayside Road is in a better condition compared to the other roads. Maydon and South Coast Roads are low rated roads which are in a poor condition. Identification and assessment of the condition of 210 000m² of asphalt paved areas which included minor roads within the Port of Durban was also conducted. Most paved areas and roads fall under D (fair) category which is reasonable but maintenance work may be required within six months. Comparison between the condition of the eight major roads within the Port and outside the Port was investigated. The findings indicate that sections of roads outside the Port are in a better condition than sections within the Port. Traffic counts were conducted in order to determine the utilization of the existing eight major roads. Bayhead and South Coast Road are highly utilized roads. Road accident reports and death reports were analyzed on these roads. Most of the road accidents take place on South Coast Road. A questionnaire survey was conducted, targeting road users who travel on these roads within the Port. Feedback was obtained on the status of road conditions, safety and traffic within the Port of Durban. Findings of this survey revealed that most of the respondents don’t know where to report road defect/s within the Port. Approximately 37.5% of the road users felt not safe to drive on roads within the Port especially on South Coast Road. A high percentage of people (93%) witnessed accidents on these roads. Traffic signals within the Port are maintained by eThekwini Municipality and are very often non-functional. When road signs need to be repaired or replaced, it takes longer than expected. Also, there are limited parking areas around the Port resulting in trucks parking closer to the premises while waiting to collect or deliver cargo. This causes major traffic congestion, for example, on Maydon Road where most trucks park on the side of the road. Recommendations include assessment guidelines that could improve road condition, safety and traffic flow. Areas to be improved with regard to road infrastructure are also highlighted.
Optimisation of biodiesel production from Croton Gratissimus oil
(2018) Jiyane, Phiwe Charles; Musonge, Paul; Tumba, Kaniki
Consumption of liquid energy products, primarily fossil-based fuels, by the transportation industry, is high and has caused an escalation of the energy crisis facing global communities. This protracted use of fossil fuels has inadvertently resulted in an increased concentration of CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere, leading to environmental degradation. An environmentally friendly alternative fuel source, in the form of biofuels, has been found. These biofuels are biodegradable, boasting reduced levels of particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), obnoxious sulphur (SOx) and nitrogen compounds (NOx) in their combustion products. In African countries, particularly the Republic of South Africa (RSA), the urgency for the establishment of a viable biodiesel industry is driven by the vulnerability of crude oil prices, high unemployment, climate change concerns and the need for the continent’s growing economies to use their resources in a sustainable manner. In order to address these concerns, this investigation focused on the extraction of non-edible oil from the seeds of the indigenous Croton gratissimus plant, the catalytic synthesis of biodiesel and the optimisation of the developed biodiesel production process. In this optimisation study, biodiesel was produced from oil extracted from Croton gratissimus seeds using synthesised monoclinic sulphated zirconia (SO42–/ZrO2) and KOH as catalysts. Low oil extraction yields (29.35%) obtained for this crop were attributed to its low unsaturated fatty acid content of 25.4%. From the model developed for the esterification of Croton 2– gratissimus oil, the concentration of SO4 /ZrO2 catalyst had the most significant effect in the reduction of the Acid Value of oil. This was substantiated by flat response surfaces observed on the RSM surface plots when all other design factors were varied whilst keeping catalyst concentration constant. The operating conditions for the esterification process that could give an optimum Acid Value of 2.693 mg KOH/g of oil were therefore found to be; 10.96 mass % SO42–/ZrO2 catalyst concentration, 27.60 methanol-to-oil ratio and 64 0C reaction temperature. In the optimisation of the transesterification process, the model showed that catalyst concentration, methanol-to-oil ratio, reaction temperature, and their interactions were all significant model terms. But catalyst concentration and methanol-to-oil ratio, were the terms found to have the most influence on the percentage fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield and percentage FAME purity. It was established from the combined model that optimum responses of 84.51% FAME yield and 90.66% FAME purity could be achieved when operating the transesterification process at 1.439 mass % KOH catalyst concentration, 7.472 methanol-to-oil ratio and at a temperature of 63.50 0C. The two-step biodiesel process used in this work, produced biodiesel with a high FAME purity and a relatively high FAME yield. Improvement of the oil extraction process may be possible with polar co-solvent such as ethyl acetate, which may increase the FAME yield in the Croton gratissimus biodiesel production process.