Our Projects

Makro Pietermaritzburg Reconstruction

Following the July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, BDCE was appointed as the Professional Civil, Structural and Geotechnical Engineer for the reconstruction of the Makro Pietermaritzburg facility. The project involved the delivery of an approximately 12,000m² retail warehouse together with three mezzanine office levels, approximately 18,000m² of parking, hardstand and logistics facilities, and associated infrastructure works. The development was valued at approximately R216 million and was completed within an accelerated construction programme to facilitate the reopening of the facility whilst concurrently being appointed for Builder Express, Margate.

Builders Express Margate Redevelopment

BDCE provided full Civil, Structural and Geotechnical Engineering services for the redevelopment of Builders Express Margate following demolition of the previous structure. The project included the design and construction of a new warehouse facility, mezzanine offices, parking areas, delivery infrastructure and retaining structures. Despite significant site challenges, including flood-related damage to existing boundary and retaining walls, the project was successfully delivered to the satisfaction of the client.

Riverhorse Valley Warehouse, Office Block & Substation

BDCE was appointed by Living Designs to undertake the complete civil and structural engineering services for a warehouse, office block and electrical substation development at Riverhorse Valley, Durban. The project had an approximate value of R50 million and demonstrated the firm's capability in industrial and logistics infrastructure development. The client formally acknowledged BDCE's professionalism and technical competence.

Bidvest Tank Terminals Industrial Infrastructure Projects

BDCE continues to provide engineering services to Bidvest Tank Terminals within the Port of Durban industrial precinct. Services have included the design of a new Bay 1 Wash Bay Facility, comprising underground services, drainage systems, bunded chemical handling facilities, concrete hardstands, effluent infrastructure and structural elements associated with terminal operations. Additional appointments include various areas within the Bidvest Tank terminals site , appointments for civil, structural and geotechnical engineering, inspections and engineering services related to bund surfacing and industrial infrastructure upgrades.

N2/N3 EB Cloete Interchange Capacity Improvements

BDCE is currently undertaking specialist geotechnical engineering services for the SANRAL N2/N3 EB Cloete Interchange upgrade project through appointments from the Base Major / CSCEC Joint Venture. This nationally significant road infrastructure project involves extensive freeway widening and interchange improvements within the Durban transport network.

BDCE's responsibilities include:
• Temporary lateral support design.
• Mechanically Stabilised Earth (MSE) retaining wall support systems.
• Foundation level assessments.
• Global stability analyses.
• Excavation support design.
• Construction monitoring and site inspections.
• Design reviews and optimisation based on encountered ground conditions.
• The company's involvement has expanded from the initial appointment on Wall 150 to additional appointments involving Walls 140, 142, 144, 146, 154, 156, 159, 162, 166, 170, 171, 2163 and associated gantry structures.

N3 Key Ridge to Hammarsdale Realignment and Key Ridge Viaduct Foundations

BDCE was appointed to provide Geotechnical Engineering Supervisory Services for bridge foundations associated with the N3 realignment between Key Ridge and Hammarsdale. Services included the assessment of piling conditions, rock socket verification, groundwater evaluations, pile integrity review and preparation of geotechnical close-out reports for major bridge structures.

Mr Dukhan also provided specialist geotechnical input for the installation of 1.5m diameter oscillator piles associated with a new viaduct structure on the N3 corridor. Working alongside Stefanutti Stocks and BVI Consulting Engineers, responsibilities included borehole profiling, interpretation of founding conditions, rock socket assessments and remedial recommendations for defective pile conditions requiring re-analysis.

Ashburton Culvert Stabilisation

BDCE is responsible for the temporary lateral support design associated with the rehabilitation and stabilisation of a major Armco culvert structure at Ashburton. The project includes geotechnical evaluation and temporary support design to facilitate safe construction activities within challenging ground conditions.

Paradise Valley Interchange Upgrade

BDCE is currently undertaking geotechnical engineering services for the SANRAL Paradise Valley Interchange upgrade. The appointment includes reviews of approximately 28 cut walls, 37 MSE retaining walls, bridge abutments and bridge pier founding conditions, together with construction monitoring, reporting and specialist geotechnical advice.

Rail Infrastructure

BDCE continues to provide engineering expertise within the rail sector through appointments involving PRASA and Metrorail infrastructure. These projects have included:

• Structural condition assessments of railway bridges.
• Rehabilitation of Umlazi tunnels.
• Assessment of axle bridges.
• Rehabilitation of rail infrastructure between Umlazi and Reunion Stations.
• Structural assessments and rehabilitation design for foundations and railway structures.

In addition, BDCE has participated in large-scale rail infrastructure programmes including the assessment and design components associated with the PRASA Central Line programme in and around South Africa.

Port and Marine Infrastructure

BDCE has developed substantial expertise within South Africa's port and marine infrastructure sector through appointments involving Transnet National Ports Authority and associated consultants.

Projects have included:
• Refurbishment of the Port of Durban Inner Caisson.
• Refurbishment of the Port of Cape Town RDD Caisson.
• Berth and jetty condition assessments.
• Quay wall investigations and rehabilitation studies.
• Mossel Bay Lead-In Jetty assessments.
• Port Elizabeth Slipway and Quay Wall assessments.
• Dry Dock infrastructure investigations.
• Port access road engineering at Richards Bay and Mossel Bay.

Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme

Bazi Dukhan Consulting Engineers was appointed by Stefanutti Stocks as the geotechnical designer for the Goodenough Abstraction Works, forming part of the uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme in KwaZulu-Natal. BDCE was responsible for the geotechnical assessment and design of the project's lateral support structures, including a 15.84 m high Terramesh reinforced soil retaining wall supporting critical infrastructure such as the high lift pump station and balancing tank. The design was undertaken in accordance with BS 8006:2010 and SANS 207:2011, with both limit equilibrium and finite element analyses confirming the wall's stability and satisfactory long-term performance under challenging geological and topographical conditions.

Overall Project Value: ≥ R20 billion

University of Zululand Framework Appointment

BDCE was appointed under a multi-year framework agreement for the provision of geotechnical engineering services to the University of Zululand's KwaDlangezwa and Richards Bay Campuses.

Services include:
• Geotechnical investigations.
• Foundation recommendations.
• Earthworks evaluations.
• Slope stability assessments.
• Pile design.
• Specialist geotechnical advisory services for ongoing campus infrastructure development.

Student Accommodation Developments

BDCE provided structural and civil engineering services for the Steve Biko Student Accommodation project in Durban and has continued to support a number of higher education and residential accommodation developments throughout KwaZulu-Natal. Clients have consistently recognised the firm's commitment to quality, professionalism and delivery.

Palace Lodge Hotel Development

BDCE undertook Civil, Structural and Geotechnical Engineering Services together with Project Management and Coordination for the development of a 34-room hotel facility in Reservoir Hills, Durban. The project was delivered successfully between 2018 and 2022, with the client issuing a formal recommendation acknowledging the firm's technical competence and professional service. Other similar projects include, Palace lodge at ST Johns Road, Pinetown and the Chrystal Valley Accommodation venue at Clare Estate, Durban.

Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital

BDCE was appointed to undertake a detailed geotechnical investigation and structural assessment relating to settlement distress at the Paediatric Ward of Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. The appointment included geotechnical investigations, laboratory testing, visual structural assessments and engineering recommendations for remedial works.