A transport infrastructure engineering expert at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was awarded the 2016 JD Roberts Award for his involvement in developing new, innovative solutions for bitumen specification and testing.

Georges Mturi, CSIR Senior Researcher and Manager of the bituminous binders' laboratory, has been selected as the recipient of the award, which is sponsored by Murray & Roberts and held in partnership with the CSIR.

Mturi leads a CSIR research project that investigates changing the current bitumen specifications from empirical-based, to more advanced performance-based methods. His expertise also include bituminous products and technology, forensic investigations into bitumen-related road failures and the development of new additives that enhance the performance of bitumen, resulting in more durable road surfaces.

The award, which was instituted in 1980 in remembrance of Dr JD Roberts, one of Murray & Roberts' founders, encourages scientific research into technology that will enhance the quality of life of all South Africans.

Andrew Skudder, Sustainability Executive at Murray & Roberts and member of the adjudication panel, comments, "The finalists all presented work that was innovative and unique and determining a final winner was a challenging process."

The two runners-up for the award are CSIR researchers, Drs Paul Nordengen and Jeremy Gibberd, respectively.

Nordengen was recognised for his work in the development of bridge, overload control and abnormal load management systems across Africa, as well as the implementation of performance-based specifications for heavy vehicles, which result in significant savings on transport costs and reduce road damage.

Gibberd's contribution to environmental sustainability, through the development of several innovative design tools that promote the design of energy and cost-effective buildings, was also recognised. Gibberd is currently working on sustainable city projects with the United Nations Environmental Programme, the Global Environment Facility and the City of Johannesburg.

Dr Cornelius Ruiters, Executive Director of the CSIR, concludes, "The award is an opportunity to recognise the significant contribution made by researchers in providing competitive and environmentally sustainable solutions to infrastructure issues faced across the continent."

Ends

For more information, please contact: Mr Tendani Tsedu, CSIR Media Relations Manager at 082 945 1980 or 012 841 3417 or mtsedu@csir.co.za

About Murray & Roberts: 
Murray & Roberts is a leading engineering and construction services group of companies. It has predominantly delivered infrastructure projects throughout South and Southern Africa for more than 110 years, and is today recognised as an international engineering and construction group. Murray & Roberts is a group of world-class companies and brands aligned to the same purpose and vision, and guided by the same set of values.

The Group offers engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations and maintenance services in the oil and gas, underground mining, power and water, as well as the civil infrastructure and building markets.

Murray & Roberts is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is listed on the JSE Limited. It has offices in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia and Ghana, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, South Korea, Scotland, Canada and the USA.

More information is available at www.murrob.com

About the CSIR: 

The CSIR is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa. Constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1945 as a science council, the CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research, technological innovation, as well as industrial and scientific development to improve the quality of life of all South Africans. For more information, visit www.csir.co.za