Posts Tagged ‘Civil Engineering’
The What and Why of EPCM
When it comes to large-scale construction projects – whether it’s building a new mine, developing an energy facility or any other ambitious initiative – success hinges on meticulous planning, coordination and execution. This is where Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management come in. EPCM is not just a process – it’s the foundation that ensures every…
Read MoreMeet Brandon van Wyk, Civil Engineer in Training
From a young age, Brandon was captivated by the world of civil engineering, learning the ropes from his father during holiday jobs. Now at Lithon’s Swakopmund office, he’s inspired by the potential to positively impact communities and the environment. When he’s not engineering solutions, Brandon enjoys personal development and quality time with loved ones. What…
Read MoreThe Art of Urban Engineering
Ever wondered how your city was designed and built, and who was involved in making those decisions? You may be surprised to discover that it was not only town planners, urban designers, and architects that designed your city. Engineers were involved too! This sub-discipline of civil engineering is called ‘urban engineering’. We chatted to Lithon’s…
Read MoreMeet Stephan Calitz, Civil Engineer-in-Training
From building his own fishing kayak to working on large scale civil engineering projects, this young civil engineer-in-training has a drive to make things happen, and achieve his goals. He’s passionate about technology and how it can help engineers deliver their work faster and better, but he also loves a good hike in nature. He…
Read MoreWhat Does a Transport Engineer Do?
Whether it’s high-speed railway networks, a bridge over water, an airport runway, or simply a suburban street, we’ve all experienced and used one of these marvels of modern society. If you’re wondering who to thank for these, your smooth transition from one highway to another, or the delight of catching every green light, look no…
Read MoreMeet Valontino James, Structural Engineer
Valontino James heads up Lithon’s Structural Engineering business unit. We discovered that not only is he one smart guy (he is currently pursuing his PhD) and passionate about structural engineering, but he’s also a half-marathon runner, enjoys a good braai, and loves music with soul. 1. When did you join Lithon? In October 2021, but…
Read MoreWindhoek Rehoboth Road Upgrade to Free-Way Standard, Geotechnical Investigation
Geotechnical investigation to evaluate the underlying founding conditions through testing pitting, core logging and laboratory testing of soil and rock samples to determine competent founding layers. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES Geotechnical consulting services, soil profiling, core logging, interpretation and evaluation of laboratory test results and investigating and proposing foundation types and depths.
Read MoreRedirection of Pumpstations Swakopmund, Geotechnical Investigation
Geotechnical investigation to determine material consistency with depth and determine the depth of rock to inform the design team for design requirements, excitability and determination of quantities. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES Geotechnical consulting services, and dynamic cone penetration testing to determine the soil consistency with depth and determine the depth of rock bed.
Read MoreMeet Lydia Steyn, Accountant
Accountant, Lydia Steyn, is based at Lithon’s Oshakati branch and is one of six on the Lithon finance team. In true, family-business style, Lydia is also wife to Cilliers, who is an engineer and the branch manager at Oshakati. We sat down with Lydia to find out that she likes even numbers, enjoys camping in…
Read More5 Amazing Facts About Civil Engineering You Probably Didn’t Know
Civil engineering is one of the oldest, yet least understood professions. These engineers are the backbone of every society – responsible for designing and constructing buildings, bridges, roads, dams, and other structures. But that’s not all! Here are some awesome facts about the history of civil engineering that you probably didn’t know. 1. It…
Read MoreWhat Does a Civil Engineer Do?
From the Pyramids at Giza in Egypt, to the Great Wall of China, civil engineers have played an important role in creating the world we know. Civil engineers design, construct and maintain the civil infrastructure that allows us to live in our homes without fear of our roof caving in, drive on our roads…
Read MoreMeet Juliandri Grobler, Systems developer and debtors clerk
Systems developer and debtors clerk, Juliandri, joined the Lithon family in September 2021. In fact, as the daughter of Lithon founders, Adriaan and Adri Grobler, she was really born into the family! Despite having never intended to work with her parents, Juliandri is feeling right at home, and loving her job. 1. Tell us…
Read MoreWhat Does a Mechanical Engineer Do
From inventing the wheel to perfecting flight, mechanical engineering has been responsible for major inventions that have shaped the world as we know it. Mechanical engineering revolves around motion and energy transfer and uses mathematics, science, and technology to solve real-world problems. Read on to find out more about what mechanical engineers do. What…
Read More7 Characteristics of a Successful Engineer
Engineers are the inventors, designers, problem solvers, and builders of the world we live in. They are often called ‘unsung heroes’ because they design products that we use every day without even knowing it. But engineers also invent new technologies that change our lives in big ways. Here are some typical character traits that help…
Read MoreMeet Muhenje, Experienced electrical engineer
Experienced electrical engineer, Muhenje, joined the Lithon ranks in August 2021. We recently had a chance to sit down with him and find out what he loves most about his job and working at Lithon. Why did you choose to become an electrical engineer? I was attracted to electrical work from a very young age.…
Read MoreWhat does a structural engineer do?
The Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, the London Underground, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Taipei 101 all have one thing in common – a structural engineer turned them from an idea into a reality. Structural engineering is part of the broader field of civil engineering. It ensures that the ‘bones’ of a structure can confidently stand…
Read More7 things to know about engineers
Ever wondered what engineers are really like? Let’s take a lighthearted look at these complex problem solvers with some insight from someone who’s been married to a civil engineer for almost 15 years. They can be masters of DIY. This will depend on their field of engineering, but it’s likely that home DIY projects will…
Read MoreMeet George Uusiku, engineering technician
Given that he’s been an integral part of the Lithon team for more than a decade, it’s rather fitting that George Uusiku’s friends nicknamed him ‘Lithon Guy’ on the day he received his job offer. We chatted to him recently to find out what his average day looks like, what he appreciates about Lithon’s culture,…
Read MoreWhat does an electrical engineer do?
It’s almost impossible to give a short answer to this question, but if we had to try, we’d say that electrical engineers are the brains behind anything to do with electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. So that’s how it comes to be that power stations, the internet, navigation systems, and telecommunication networks – seemingly very different…
Read MoreWhat does an engineer do?
Engineering is all around us. And we engage with it every day in almost every aspect of our lives. From the smartphone that connects you to your world to the car that gets you from A to B and the office building you work in – all of these require the specialised skills of an…
Read MoreMeet Hannes Van Schalkwyk, civil engineer
Hannes van Schalkwyk was born in Namibia, but with a father who worked as an accountant for a mining company, he spent much of his childhood in South Africa, moving from one small town to another. In 1996, having completed his engineering studies at Technikon Pretoria, he returned to his country of birth and, before…
Read MoreA favourite project: the Monte Christo Road upgrade
The Monte Christo Road upgrade is set to have a significant impact on the city of Windhoek. The project officially started in August 2020 – and fortunately, design work was able to continue despite the Covid-19 pandemic. “Monte Christo Road lies at the heart of the Windhoek community and forms a vital part of the…
Read MoreMeet Dalene Vries, Incorporated Engineer in Training
Dalene Vries has a family she loves, a career she’s passionate about, and she’s about to start work on her dream project. But it took plenty of dedication and hard work for her to get to this point, including studying civil engineering part-time, while being a mom of two with a full-time job! We caught…
Read MoreMeet Cilliers Steyn, Graduate Civil Engineer
Cilliers Steyn was introduced to Lithon in 2015, when he completed a year of in-service training with the company while studying civil engineering. The encounter was a win-win – Lithon found a young engineer passionate about his chosen field, while Cilliers found a company with a culture that spoke to his heart and a team…
Read MoreThe rise of the aerotropolis
Dr John D. Kasarda tells us that “airports will shape business location and urban development in the 21st century as much as highways did in the 20th century, railroads in the 19th and seaports in the 18th.” If you haven’t come across the term aerotropolis before, this is what is meant by it. The aerotropolis…
Read MoreMeet Bartle Rautenbach, Engineering Technician
Bartle Rautenbach (affectionately referred to by his colleagues as Oom Bartle) was born in Usakos, a small town on the banks of the Khan River in the Erongo Region. He joined the Lithon office in Swakopmund (just 140 km away from his birthplace) in January 2009 at the peak of his career – one that…
Read MoreMeet Richard Laborn, Head of Civil and Transportation
Coming from a family of Caterpillar mechanics, Richard bucked the trend by becoming an engineer. In his 30-year career, he’s worked on a number of large-scale projects, including the Tati Nickel Activox project in Botswana and the Sishen South Mine development in South Africa. With a wealth of expertise and three decades of on-the-job experience,…
Read MoreA closer look at civil engineering
Civil engineering has been around for a very long time. It’s one of the oldest types of engineering (second only to military engineering), and it deals with the design and construction of infrastructure like roads, dams, bridges, and sewage systems. In fact, the construction of the pyramids of Giza, between 2550 and 2490 BC, could…
Read MoreMeet Amarildo Paulo, Oshakati Branch Manager
Smart, confident and charismatic, Amarildo Paulo was introduced to Lithon in June 2009, when the company gave him a bursary to continue his civil engineering studies in Cape Town. More than a decade later, he’s still with the consulting engineering firm, managing its Oshakati branch remotely from Windhoek. We spent some time with him recently…
Read MorePMS Visual Assessment and Budget Recommendations, Otjiwarongo
Visual assessments of about 82 km of surfaced roads and 26 km of gravel roads around Otjiwarongo and compiling a 5-year maintenance budget with recommendations. The visual assessments were done in accordance with the relevant PMS methodologies. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES Visual assessments and feedback on pavement conditions Cost estimates for the proposed rehabilitation and maintenance…
Read MoreNamcor Retail Fuel Station in Otavi
Planning, design and construction supervision of the new fuel station, which included all forecourt components and a convenience store/shop. The engineering disciplines included Civil, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical. New building services required were sewer, stormwater, fire protection, domestic water supply, bulk and domestic electrical supplies, stand-by generator, air-conditioning & ventilation, refrigeration, LPG, kitchen equipment, access…
Read MoreNamcor Retail Fuel Station in Mariental
Planning, design and construction supervision of all engineering disciplines, i.e Civil, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical for the pump and tank installation. The forecourt works included the steel canopy, underground fuel tanks, product lines, electrical and communication, dispensers, spill containment areas, oil separator, stormwater and 3 pump islands. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES Client liaison. Principle Agent. Coordination…
Read MoreNamcor Retail Fuel Station in Karasburg
Planning, design and construction supervision of the new fuel station, which included all forecourt components and a convenience store/shop. The engineering disciplines included Civil, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical. New building services required were sewer, stormwater, fire protection, domestic water supply, bulk and domestic electrical supplies, stand-by generator, air-conditioning & ventilation, refrigeration, LPG, kitchen equipment, access…
Read MoreNamPower Rural Electrification Project – Shamukweni Locality
Lithon Project Consultants was appointed as engineers for NamPower’s Rural Electrification of Oshamukweni Locality in the Okongo area of Ohangwena Region. This project includes a 14km Medium Voltage line, four 33/0.4kV transformers and about 4 km Low Voltage electrical networks that supplies power to the required facilities. This project was executed at a total cost…
Read MoreVEN Pre/Post Installation Inspection
As part of a larger effort to increase their energy efficiency, Vivo Energy Namibia has installed solar photo-voltaic (PV) power systems at a select group of Shell fuel stations. Following the initial success of solar power installation at these stations, and the continued drive to harness clean energy at all their fuel stations, the company…
Read MoreThe Oshakati Open Market
Oshakati is the capital city of Namibia’s Oshana region and is home to about 37,000 inhabitants. In 2008, Lithon Project Consultants (LPC) was appointed by the Town Council to work on the development of a new Oshakati Open Market to replace the existing market. According to Namibia’s NBC News, the project formed part of the…
Read MoreModern marvels of structural engineering
Why do we feel confident taking lifts to the tops of tall buildings or driving through kilometres-long tunnels? Because structural engineers have made it safe for us to do so. These highly skilled professionals take architectural designs and ambitions and make them structurally possible. As the Institution of Structural Engineers explains, they “design the strength…
Read MoreFinding purpose through Lithon Staff Development Programme
Lithon Project Consultants CEO, Gert Maritz, is incredibly excited about the expanding possibilities at the Namibian-based engineering consulting firm. Along with his raft of new responsibilities, he is deeply committed to overseeing and advancing the staff development plan he designed during his tenure as COO. Formally implemented over two years ago, the programme is based…
Read MoreMeet Fred Mudge
Meet Fred Mudge 2021 has been a big year for structural engineer Fred Mudge. Not only does it mark his fourth year as a member of the Lithon team, but he’s also just married his university sweetheart. We chatted with him on his first day back from his honeymoon in Zanzibar to find out…
Read MoreMeet Magretha Vlok, COO of Lithon Holdings
Magretha Vlok isn’t most people’s idea of a typical engineer. Colourful and confident, with a sense of style to match – she firmly believes that “beige isn’t a colour” and has been known on occasion to team tartan with African and animal prints. This newly appointed COO of Lithon Holdings brings energy, experience and a…
Read MoreProject Management at Lithon Project Consultants
At Lithon, we’ve recognised the pivotal role project management plays in delivering well-executed and cost-effective projects. As part of our long-term strategic plan for the business, we established a dedicated Project Management Office (PMO) in early 2020, headed up by our COO, Scott Richards. Our goal? To not only develop an effective project management culture…
Read MoreLithon Project Consultants offers world-class multi-disciplinary consulting engineering
When Lithon founder and CEO Adriaan Grobler established the business in Oshakati, Namibia in 2002, it focused almost exclusively on project management and civil engineering. Today, LPC (Lithon Project Consultants) offers multi-disciplinary consulting engineering services within and beyond Namibia’s borders. Our highly qualified team leverages state-of-the-art technology and a wealth of expertise that includes project…
Read MoreA look at some of the world’s best and worst roads
Over 1.4 billion cars currently travel on roads ranging from small country lanes and quiet backroads to mid-city routes and multi-lane highways. Some, like the ones we drive on every day, make very little impression on us, while others are triumphs of engineering that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Here are some…
Read MoreMeet Adri Grobler, Finance and Administrative Manager at Lithon
With a heart to serve communities in need, Adri Grobler co-founded Lithon with her husband, Adriaan, in 2002. In the early days, they operated the company from their garage converted into an office with just one staff member to help out with admin. Now, almost two decades later, Lithon has grown into a group of…
Read MoreMentorship: It’s part of the strategy
In 2002, Adriaan and Adri Grobler founded Lithon with a vision of positively impacting people’s lives. Initially, their focus was on making a meaningful difference to nearby communities in need. However, as the business developed, and the team grew, it became clear that they could also realise their vision within the company itself – by…
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