Projects with a value between R50 million and R250 milion
Design and Construction of the Emoyeni Reservoir by Knight Piésold for eThekwini Municipality
COMMENDATION
T
he design and construction
movement joints in the structure. As this
of the Emoyeni Reservoir
was a very large concrete structure
was unique in that several
(100 m x 35 m x 8 m), the removal of
aspects in both areas
movement joints required careful modelling.
deviated from previous designs and
Furthermore, the previously utilised tapered
construction techniques.
wall width was changed to uniform walls.
Traditional structures incorporate several
The modelling of the structure showed
PROJECT TEAM Client: eThekwini Municipality Consulting Engineer: Knight Piésold Consulting Contractor: Afrostructures Occupational Health & Safety: Engelbrecht and Associates
movement joints to allow for movement
that the uniform walls performed better
and shrinkage of the concrete while still
as a propped cantilever with smaller crack
maintaining water-tightness. The client
width, and made the reinforcing designs at
This large structure was constructed in the
(eThekwini Municipality) had used this
the corners simpler and easier to construct.
heart of a high-income residential suburb
concept design for most of the existing
Construction joints were still required;
with very little working space and with
reservoirs in and around the Durban area.
however, the specification on these was
cognisance of issues such as noise
The problem with these designs is that they
given careful consideration and was closely
pollution, dust pollution and traffic
relied on the construction of the joints and
monitored during construction. Although
congestion. Furthermore, the existing
specifically the water bars to be undertaken
the steel quantity increased in order to
water storage system that was on-site
correctly. Any errors or movement of the
mitigate cracking, this cost was offset
needed to be operational throughout the
water bars during the concrete pours result
against the savings in water bars, as well
contract duration.
in the water-tightness being compromised.
as the decrease in construction duration
This has resulted in many of the existing
and the lower risk of leakage. These design
utilised on the walls was to pour the 8 m
reservoir developing leaks.
changes resulted in a structure that was
high walls in a single lift. This was done to
commissioned with zero leaks and a high
reduce the number of construction joints, as
quality of concrete.
well as the construction duration.
For this design, Knight Piésold decided on a different approach, doing away with the
12 C E S A A o n E n g i n e e r i n g E x c e l l e n c e Aw a r d s 2 0 2 1
One of the unique construction techniques
