SRK Consulting Leverages Digital Tools to Drive Engineering Innovation

In a significant stride towards enhancing engineering practices, SRK Consulting (South Africa) has embraced cutting-edge digital technologies, underpinning its operations with an in-house Data Services unit. Established in 2020, this unit has grown to include a team of eight specialists, including data engineers, software developers, and data scientists, dedicated to transforming traditional consulting methodologies into innovative, data-driven solutions.

The integration of digital tools has become increasingly vital in the engineering sector, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic's demands for rapid adaptation to online communication and data management processes. Ansu Louw, Principal GIS Consultant and Data Services Lead at SRK Consulting, emphasized that the unit's focus on data engineering enables more efficient data collection, storage, analysis, and visualization. "This allows our engineers and scientists to deliver greater value to their projects and clients," Louw stated, noting the importance of specialized tools in processing large volumes of data for deeper insights.

SRK's team has developed several custom applications, notably a field logger for rock mass characterization, which significantly improves data accuracy and efficiency. William Joughin, a corporate consultant at SRK and a leading expert in rock engineering, explained, "This application replaces the traditional manual logging procedure, minimizing human error and providing instant calculations that alert users to anomalies requiring attention."

The digital integration extends to the development of KinApp, an application designed for kinematic analysis of slope orientations, which has reduced computational time by up to 60%. This has enhanced the ability of engineers to identify high-risk areas and define slope design limits more effectively.

Moreover, SRK has leveraged its digital capabilities to support its clients in adhering to the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). The integration of technologies such as vibrating wire piezometers and inclinometers into a digital framework facilitates near-real-time data monitoring, which is essential for ensuring the safety of tailings storage facilities.

In an effort to further empower its workforce, the Data Services unit provides accredited training courses on digital transformation, including programming and data analytics. These courses, recognized by the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), offer participants the opportunity to earn continuous professional development points.

Joughin highlighted that the collaboration between SRK’s engineers and the Data Services unit is crucial for fostering innovation, stating, "Our input on the digital side has contributed to various client projects, including automation tools for meteorological data processing, ultimately enhancing project efficiency and accuracy."

As SRK Consulting prepares to showcase its digital innovations at the upcoming Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) conference on digital transformation in mining, the firm remains committed to pushing the boundaries of engineering excellence through the strategic application of digital technologies. This innovative approach not only positions SRK as a leader in the consulting engineering field but also sets a benchmark for the industry at large in harnessing the power of data to drive success in an increasingly digital world.