GEO3701
GEOLOGY FOR ENGINEERS
PROJECT
“Geological investigation for a proposed road linking Coffee Bay, Hole-in-
the-Wall and Mgxotyeni”
SEMESTER 2 2023
UNISA
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
YEAR 2023
,TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. 0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 4
2.0 Site description..................................................................................................................... 5
3.0 Climatic (Weinert area) and topographic data ..................................................................... 9
4.0 Field and laboratory work to be undertaken ...................................................................... 10
5.0 Occupational health and safety (OHS) .............................................................................. 10
6.0 Hydrology .......................................................................................................................... 12
7.0 Preliminary identification of geology ................................................................................ 14
8.0 Identification of problem soils ........................................................................................... 15
9.0 Identification of borrow pits/quarry site ............................................................................ 15
10. Environmental considerations ............................................................................................ 15
11. Recommendations on slope stability investigations .......................................................... 15
12. Conclusions and recommendations.................................................................................... 17
13. References .......................................................................................................................... 18
, Declaration
I hereby declare that the project work entitled “Geological investigation for a proposed road
linking Coffee Bay, Hole-in-the-Wall and Mgxotyeni” is a record of an original work done by
me. The results embodied in this thesis have not been submitted to any other University or
Institute for the award of any degree or diploma.
Name………………………………. Surname…………………………………….
Signature…………………………… Date…………………………………………
, 1. 0 Introduction
Coffee Bay is a small village situated on the South African “Wild Coast” which stretches for
160 kilometres south from the Kei river mouth to Port Edward in the north approximately 80
kilometres inland. The area is filled with diverse wild flora and fauna.1 Coffee Bay and
Mgxotyeni in the Eastern Cape are popular destinations for both local and international tourists.
Hole-in-the-Wall geological feature is one of the main attractions in the area. According to the
study of topography, a geological feature is the details of the earth’s surface, such as mountains,
valleys, rivers and lakes.
The provincial government intends to realign and upgrade the gravel/partially sealed road
linking Coffee Bay and the Hole-in-the-Wall and Mgxotyeni. The purpose of this project is to
perform a geological investigation for this proposed road. The horizontal alignment of the road
is shown below;
Fig 1. R234 Horizontal Alignment
1
History and Legends.(2018). About Coffee Bay. Coffeebay.co.za
GEOLOGY FOR ENGINEERS
PROJECT
“Geological investigation for a proposed road linking Coffee Bay, Hole-in-
the-Wall and Mgxotyeni”
SEMESTER 2 2023
UNISA
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
YEAR 2023
,TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. 0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 4
2.0 Site description..................................................................................................................... 5
3.0 Climatic (Weinert area) and topographic data ..................................................................... 9
4.0 Field and laboratory work to be undertaken ...................................................................... 10
5.0 Occupational health and safety (OHS) .............................................................................. 10
6.0 Hydrology .......................................................................................................................... 12
7.0 Preliminary identification of geology ................................................................................ 14
8.0 Identification of problem soils ........................................................................................... 15
9.0 Identification of borrow pits/quarry site ............................................................................ 15
10. Environmental considerations ............................................................................................ 15
11. Recommendations on slope stability investigations .......................................................... 15
12. Conclusions and recommendations.................................................................................... 17
13. References .......................................................................................................................... 18
, Declaration
I hereby declare that the project work entitled “Geological investigation for a proposed road
linking Coffee Bay, Hole-in-the-Wall and Mgxotyeni” is a record of an original work done by
me. The results embodied in this thesis have not been submitted to any other University or
Institute for the award of any degree or diploma.
Name………………………………. Surname…………………………………….
Signature…………………………… Date…………………………………………
, 1. 0 Introduction
Coffee Bay is a small village situated on the South African “Wild Coast” which stretches for
160 kilometres south from the Kei river mouth to Port Edward in the north approximately 80
kilometres inland. The area is filled with diverse wild flora and fauna.1 Coffee Bay and
Mgxotyeni in the Eastern Cape are popular destinations for both local and international tourists.
Hole-in-the-Wall geological feature is one of the main attractions in the area. According to the
study of topography, a geological feature is the details of the earth’s surface, such as mountains,
valleys, rivers and lakes.
The provincial government intends to realign and upgrade the gravel/partially sealed road
linking Coffee Bay and the Hole-in-the-Wall and Mgxotyeni. The purpose of this project is to
perform a geological investigation for this proposed road. The horizontal alignment of the road
is shown below;
Fig 1. R234 Horizontal Alignment
1
History and Legends.(2018). About Coffee Bay. Coffeebay.co.za
