SITE SELECTION STUDY FOR

PROPOSED NEW TRANSMISSION

SUBSTATION IN THE ESKOM
NORTH EASTERN REGION

GEOTECHNICAL REPORT
PRELIMINARY GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION FOR THE
SELECTION OF A SITE FOR THE PROPOSED NEW WOLWEKRAAL
SUBSTATION

February 2010


 
 

 

 

CONTENTS
1.0

INTRODUCTION

2.0

THE NATURE OF THE PROJECT

3.0

OBJECTIVES OF INVESTIGATION

4.0

LOCALITY OF STUDY AREAS

5.0

DESK STUDY
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4

6.0

Maps Consulted
Aerial Photographic Interpretation
Review of Desk Study and Selection of Sites
Seismic Zoning

REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT
6.1

Geography
6.1.1
6.1.2
6.1.3

6.2
6.3
7.0

Geology
Water Table

SITE INVESTIGATION
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4

8.0

Topography and Drainage

Flood Line
Climate

Topographical Survey
Geometric Design
Exploratory Work
Laboratory Testing

GEOTECHNICAL EVALUATION
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5

Site-I and II
Site-III
Water Table
Topography - Preliminary Substation Positioning, Geometry
(Earthworks Volumes) and Access Roads
Flood-Line Studies

9.0

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

10.0

REFERENCES

APPENDICES
A

Flood Line Studies

Test Pit Profiles

Laboratory Test Results

Contour Plans, Preliminary Geometric Designs and Sections

TITLE :
GEOTECHNICAL REPORT
PRELIMINARY GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION FOR THE
SELECTION OF SITES FOR THE PROPOSED NEW WOLWEKRAAL
SUBSTATION

PREPARED BY :

Geotechnical Investigations
Transmission Technology

CLIENT :

Land and Rights

Transmission

PROJECT TEAM: F A Grov

Dr Johan Lourens
P Greybe
D Angove
Tyris Plant Hire
Soillab

REPORT NO :

GR02-2010

DATE :

February 2010

Approved :

F A Grov
Senior Specialist Consultant
Geotechnical Investigations

1.0

INTRODUCTION
Eskom plans to construct a new 400/132 kV Substation near Marble Hall in the North Eastern
Region (Mpumalanga). (The Highveld North and Lowveld Northwest Project)
A Site for the planned development is urgently required in the area near Marble Hall. The first
phase of this investigation included extensive desk studies, where a total number of three most
suitable sites were identified for the substation. For the selection of these possible sites during
the desk study, factors such as the geology, topography, farming activities, mining activities,
Eskom installations and power line servitude routes were considered. It should be noted that
options for suitable sites are limited in the Marble Hall area due to intensive irrigation farming
activities.
Information collected during this investigation is suitable for site selection purposes, and
once the final design is required, a Detailed Geotechnical Investigation will be required to
provide design parameters and confirm findings of this investigation..

2.0

THE NATURE OF PROJECT

The project comprises the construction of a Substation in the Marble Hall area (Mpumalanga).
The development would include the installation of typical equipment such as:

3.0

Electrical transformers
Circuit breakers or line termination structures
High-voltage switchgear
Low voltage switchgear
Surge & lightning protection equipment
Control and metering equipment
Access roads and buildings

OBJECTIVES OF INVESTIGATION
The objectives of this investigation were defined as follows:
-

4.0

Conduct intensive desk studies of the area to identify a total number of three most
suitable sites for the proposed new substation
Obtain geotechnical information during a Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation of
each selected site to confirm findings of the desk study for suitability evaluation of
sites

LOCALITY OF STUDY AREAS FOR PROPOSED NEW SUBSTATION

It was requested by System Planning Transmission, to find a suitable site for this substation
within a radius of 10km from the coordinate of the existing substation
S 25 00 19.7 E 29 18 9.63
Three most suitable areas were identified, namely, Site-I; Site-II and Site-III, and are located
at:
Site-I S 25
Site-II S 25
Site-III S 25

04 24 E 29 16` 57
04 12 E 29 17` 24
05 16 E 29 18` 08

LOCALITY OF SITES
5.0

FIGURE-I

DESK STUDY
5.1

Maps Consulted
An attempt was made to collect as much information as possible of the study area
demarcated by Transmission System Planning, for the proposed new substation
during the desk study. For this purpose the following maps were consulted:
i)`Topographical Maps 2429CD Marble Hall; 2529AB Groblersdal;
2529AA Siyabuswa; 2429CC Rathoke
ii) Ortho Photos Covering the area within a 10km radius from the existing
Substation
iii) Geological Maps
2528 Pretoria ; 2428 Nylstroom
iv) Mineral Map -Mineral Map of the Bushveld Complex South Africa
With Special reference to Platinum and Chrome
v) Mining Simplified Geology, Selected Mines and Mineral Deposits South
Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland

5.2

Aerial Photographic Interpretation

In principle the following features are being studied, information being obtained and
interpreted when studying aerial photographs for geotechnical purposes:
-

Reflection of the action of nature in creating the existing conditions

Grouping of materials according to certain patterns
Definition of various boundaries and linear features of
significance
Field checking by visual inspection
Stereo-interpretation has a great advantage over interpretation of a single photograph,
because it is better able to identify topographical and erosion features, grey tones, and
textures have greater requisite clarity contrasts. Basically, two aspects of the air photo
-

image are revealed in the stereo-model of a given area, and these are surface form and
grey tone, which could be subdivided as:
a) Elements of Surface Form
- Topographic form
- Drainage form
- Erosion form
b) Elements of Grey tone and Texture of :
- vegetation
- due to land use
- soil and rock material
Geotechnical information obtained in this way was correlated with Geological Map
data.
5.3

Review of Desk Study and Selection of Sites

The final electrical design of the substations was not finalised at the time of this
investigation and it was proposed by the electrical designers to use an area of 400 x
400m for the proposed platform. Initially the desk study was performed to identify
sites of 600m x 600m. The area for suitable sites is limited due to the presence of
dolomite and the densely developed irrigation scheme in the area of study.
For the purpose of the evaluation study, three sites were identified during the desk
study, taking into account present Eskom installations, geology, established
developments and geographical constraints.

5.4

Seismic Zoning
The South African loading code, SANS 10160 1969 (Figure-IIa and IIb) , shows
that the proposed sites for this study are situated in an area where the peak ground
acceleration with a 10% probability of being exceeded in a 50 year period is less than
50cm/sec. Figure-IIb also shows the zones where detailed seismic design (Zone-I)

Wolwekraal SS

SEISMIC HAZARD MAP OF SA

FIGURE-IIa

SEISMIC HAZARD ZONES OF SA

FIGURE-IIb

Wolwekraal Sites

and compliance with minimum requirements (Zone-II) are specified by the code. The
proposed Wolwekraal sites fall outside of these Zones.

More recent data produced by the Council of Geoscience place the sites within the
zone where the minimum seismic event, with a 10% probability of being exceeded in
a 50 year period, falls in the range of 0,07g to 0,09g (Figure-III). This data however,
still needs to be verified.
6.0

REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT
6.1

Geography
6.1.1

Topography and Drainage

The three sites selected for evaluation purposes are located within a 1 km radius and
are considered to be subject to the same regional topographic and drainage influences
(See appendix-A).
Site-I and II are located on the northern slopes of the same hill and Site-III is on
the ridge of the hill. The topography of the three sites forms part of the regional flat
topography, with slopes traversing Site-I (1,5%) and Site-II (1,2%) from south to
north. Site-III is traversed in no definite pattern with flat slopes of the order of 2%.
Site-I and Site-II drains to the north into a vlei area. The Sites are located on portions
of the farm Loskop Noord.
6.1.2

Flood line

Flood line studies carried out favours Site-III, having the least slopes and run-offs,
with no watercourse near the site. Site-I is largely affected by the irrigation scheme of
the region, which will require major irrigation channels to be diverted and Site-II is a
risk with regards to the 1:50year flood line.(See Appendix-A)
6.1.3

Climate

N-Value
The "Weinert N-Value", that describes the climatic environment, is approximately 4
for the area. Where "N" is more than "5", disintegration is the prominent form of
weathering, and where "N" is less than "5", decomposition affects those rocks
whose minerals are liable to change chemically under atmospheric conditions.
Rainfall
This is a summer rainfall region and the average yearly rainfall is 577 mm.
.

Vegetation
Sites-I and II are covered with crops and irrigation channels are traversing these
sites. Site-III is covered with medium to dense indigenous grass and bush.

6.2

Geology
All three sites are underlain by medium grained Nebo Granite of the Bushveld
Complex and Granite-Gneiss.

6.3

Water Table
A shallow perched water table is present on Site-I and Site-II

7.0

THE INVESTIGATION
7.1

Topographical Survey
Topographical surveys of sites were carried out to enable preliminary geometric
designs, which forms an important part of the geotechnical evaluation of sites.

7.2

Geometric Design
Since the power line routes had not been fixed at the time of this investigation,
geometric designs were carried out merely to obtain an idea of volumes of earthworks
that could be expected at each site.

7.3

Exploratory Work
Site-I and II
The above sites are subject to similar constraints, re densely cultivated and traversed
by irrigation waterlines in all directions. Test pits were excavated randomly with a
TLB (Cat 416) to confirm findings of the desk study. The Granite Gneiss was found
deeply weathered due to the apparent flat topography which resulted in poor
drainage of both sites.
It was found that the test pits were mostly water logged near surface and thus not
suitable for the construction of an earth platform.
Site-III
Test pits were excavated randomly to confirm findings of the desk study.
The profile showed relatively shallow weathering down to anticipated depths of the
construction of an earth platform. It is well known that this material is of excellent
quality for the construction of the earth platform for the substation.

7.4

Laboratory Testing
Laboratory tests on soil samples were primarily conducted to determine Geotechnical
properties of the soil, confirming findings of the desk study.
The following tests were carried out:
Grading (Mechanical and Hydrometer)
Atterberg Limits
Moisture Content
Electrical Conductivity

8.0

GEOTECHNICAL EVALUATION
8.1

Site-I and II

The soil profile of the above sites is similar. Laboratory testing confirmed geotechnical
properties and findings during profiling of test pits.
Climatic factors have combined to create a mode of decomposition characterised by
chemical disintegration of the profile. Therefore, the Granite/ Gneiss have decomposed down
to depths of at least 1,5 to 2,0 m. The Granite Gneiss, due to its composition, resisted these
climatic factors to a fair extend with depth, limiting decomposition to these shallow depths.

Geology Influences on Construction

It is believed that the ground conditions of the above sites would have a great affect on
conventional construction methods. De-watering and diverting all irrigation channels of the
areas will be required prior to any construction taking place. Provision for flooding during
construction will also be required which might turn out to be highly costly. This could result in
years delay of the construction of the substation, since careful irrigation studies will be
required not to disturbed the integrated irrigation system of the region.
Though the material properties have been changed drastically (reworked/residual material),
most of the materials are considered suitable for civil construction.
8.2

Site-III

The granite profile show to be extremely less weathered than the profiles of Sites-I and II.
The material found on this site is considered an excellent material for the construction of a
substation platform. Inspection of the existing quarry on the property and test pits excavated
confirms the soil profile to be uniform present over area. Laboratory test results confirmed the
findings during profiling test pits.
Geology Influences on Construction
The soil profiles proved that materials from this site are of an excellent construction quality.
8.3

Water Table

There is a shallow perched water table present on Site-I and Site-II, which would result in
major design measures to be taken. It is anticipated that this will result in a highly costly
exercise.
8.4

Topography - Preliminary Substation Positioning, Geometry (Earthworks

Volumes) and Access Roads

An attempt was made to position and simulate platforms for each site.
Topographical features and present soil information of each site were taken into account
during this exercise. The following volumes for earthworks were obtained during this exercise
for each site:
Site

Strip m

Cut m

Fill m Special Measures

Site-I

25 215

23 640

Site-II

25 215

23 250

Site-III

25 215

38 200

18 215 De-watering import fill

Rerouting Regional Irrigation
21 130 De-watering import fill
Rerouting Regional Irrigation
37 000 None

All three sites are accessed rather easily, with similar lengths of access roads to be
constructed.
Attached to this report are preliminary geometric designs, indicating optimised platform
positioning for each site (Appendix-C).

8.5

Flood Line Studies

Flood line studies have revealed that Sites-I and II are not suitable for this development. Site-I
will require major construction measures to divert irrigation channels which will have an effect
on the region, Site-II has a risk of being flooded during a 1: 50 year flood.
9.0

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Considering the results of all the studies carried out during this investigation it is clear that
Site-III is recommended as the suitable site. Sites-I and II are not considered suitable.

10.0

REFERENCES
10.1
10.2
10.3

Jennings Brink & Williams (1973). Revised Guide to Soil Profiling for Civil
Engineering purposes in South Africa. The civil Engineer in S.A. Jan. 1973.
Site Selection Desk Studies Dr J Lourens
Flood-line Studies Peter Greybe February 2010-03-04

APPENDIX-A
Flood line Studies
Wolwekraal