Structural Engineer  ·  Industrial Structures

Panashe
Matema

Structural Engineer · SANS · Eurocode · CSA · ECSA Pr.Eng Track

I design and assess industrial structures — equipment-supporting slabs, mine infrastructure steel, and heavy ground-bearing foundations — for petrochemical, mining and private clients, working across SANS, Eurocode and CSA. Postgraduate nonlinear explicit FEA that shows up in production design, not just a thesis.

IDEA StatiCa Robot Structural Prokon Abaqus / Explicit SANS · EN · CSA Connection Design RC Assessment Site Delivery
PE
01

About Me

I am a Civil and Structural Engineering candidate with grounded delivery experience across residential, healthcare, water, and industrial infrastructure — and a developing specialisation in computational structural mechanics and impact engineering that distinguishes my technical profile.

My engineering practice spans both ends of the discipline: from hands-on site delivery — supervising reinforced concrete construction on R220M water infrastructure for Randwater — to the numerical frontier, running nonlinear explicit FEA in Abaqus to simulate high-velocity projectile impact on RC columns using advanced constitutive models including CDP, Johnson-Cook, and Johnson-Holmquist (JH-2).

I am currently completing my MEng at the University of Johannesburg, with electives in stability of steel structures, advanced RC design, geotechnical design, finite element analysis, and structural dynamics — building a postgraduate foundation that directly serves complex structural analysis work.

Trajectory

My medium-term aim is to operate at the intersection of advanced FEA and structural dynamics — serving sectors where this capability is genuinely scarce: mining, defence infrastructure, nuclear, and large-scale civil engineering. I am open to structural engineering roles where complex analysis is valued.

  • EDU
    MEng Structural Engineering
    University of Johannesburg · In Progress (Submission Stage)
  • EDU
    BEng Tech Hons Civil Engineering
    University of Johannesburg · 2022
  • EDU
    BEng Tech Civil Engineering
    University of Johannesburg · 2019–2021
  • REG
    ECSA Candidate Engineer
    Engineering Council of South Africa
  • MEM
    IStructE Student Member
    Institution of Structural Engineers (UK)

Languages

English
Native
Shona
Native
IsiZulu
Intermediate
XiTsonga
Basic
02

Research & Advanced Studies

MEng Structural Engineering — Postgraduate Modules

University of Johannesburg. Coursework complete; minor dissertation in final examination.

01

Advanced Reinforced Concrete Design & Analysis

Design and analysis beyond elastic methods — strut-and-tie and truss analogy models for discontinuity regions, yield line theory for slab collapse mechanisms, and plastic analysis of indeterminate structures. Worked to Eurocode 2 alongside the South African concrete codes, with emphasis on why provisions differ between them.

Strut & TieYield LineEC2 · SANS 10100
02

Advanced Concrete Technology

Concrete as an engineered material rather than a code grade — hydration and microstructure, aggregate and binder selection, deterioration mechanisms including chloride ingress, carbonation and sulphate attack, and durability design against a required service life.

DurabilityDeteriorationService Life
03

Dynamic Analysis of Structures

SDOF and MDOF systems, free and forced vibration, harmonic and periodic excitation, damping, modal analysis and response spectra, D'Alembert and Lagrangian formulations, and continuous systems — the basis for machinery-induced vibration, seismic response and impact loading.

Modal AnalysisResponse SpectrumTime History
04

Finite Element Analysis

Formulation from first principles — shape functions, element selection, mesh convergence and sensitivity, integration schemes and hourglass control, geometric and material nonlinearity, and explicit versus implicit solution. Carried directly into the dissertation and into component-based connection design in practice.

Nonlinear FEAExplicit DynamicsAbaqus
05

Geotechnical Design of Foundations

Bearing capacity and settlement, shallow and piled foundations, retaining structures and lateral earth pressure, ground improvement, and dynamic soil behaviour — including seismic site response, liquefaction assessment and machine foundation design where soil–structure interaction governs.

Piles & RaftsSoil DynamicsEN 1997
06

Stability of Structures

Elastic and inelastic buckling, tangent and reduced modulus theory, lateral-torsional buckling, frame stability and effective length, and the influence of residual stresses and initial imperfections on real capacity. Grounded in SANS 10162 with the derivations traced back to CSA S16, from which the South African steel code is drawn.

Inelastic BucklingLTBSANS 10162 · CSA S16
03

Delivered Projects

P01
Major Petrochemical Operator
Equipment-Supporting Slab — Openings & Modifications
Assessment and design of new openings and modifications to reinforced concrete slabs carrying operating plant. Existing load path read from record drawings and the structure itself; residual capacity established before anything is cut. Local strengthening designed to maintain punching and flexural capacity around new penetrations.
Complete · Issued
Structural Engineer
Assessment Prokon · Robot
Existing-Structure Assessment Residual Capacity Punching Shear Local Strengthening SANS 10100 · EN 1992 Record Drawing Interpretation
P02
Mining Sector
Mine Infrastructure — Structural Steel & Connections
Structural steel design for mine infrastructure taken through to fabrication-ready detail. Connections designed and verified in IDEA StatiCa where geometry or load path fell outside standard tables — bolt and weld specification driven by shop-versus-site fabrication sequence, not analysis alone.
Complete · Fabricated
Structural Engineer
IDEA StatiCa SANS 10162 · CSA S16
Steel Framing Design Component-Based FEM (CBFEM) Connection Design Bolt & Weld Specification Fabrication Sequencing Robot Structural Analysis
P03
Private Client — Jos, Nigeria
Heavy Ground-Bearing Slabs — Cross-Border Delivery
Ground-bearing slab design for heavy structures, delivered remotely across borders. Subgrade reaction, bearing capacity and settlement governed the outcome as much as the slab itself — geotechnical parameters interpreted from the available investigation, design basis set explicitly where local code coverage was thin.
Complete · Delivered
Structural Engineer
Cross-Border EN 1992 · EN 1997
Ground-Bearing Slab Design Subgrade Reaction Bearing & Settlement Geotechnical Interpretation Remote Delivery Design Basis Definition
P04
Randwater
Meyerton Wastewater Treatment Works — Upgrade
Structural rehabilitation of reinforced concrete infrastructure on a major water treatment facility. Supervised demolition, repairs, and coordinated multidisciplinary site teams across the full project lifecycle.
R 220 Million
Assistant Site Engineer
FIDIC Red Book RC Rehabilitation
RC Structural Repair Construction Project Management As-Built Drawings FIDIC (Red Book) 1999 Community Liaison / SMME Management Site Camp Planning (OHS) Subcontractor Management
P05
Randwater
Sebokeng Wastewater Treatment Works — Perimeter Wall
Supervised execution of a 2km masonry boundary wall, encompassing excavation, RC strip footing placement, and masonry brick construction from commencement to completion.
R 20 Million
Assistant Site Engineer
QA/QC RC Foundations
Quality Control Construction Sequencing FIDIC Contract Application Subcontractor Evaluation Drawing Interpretation
P06
Eskom
Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme — Relocation of Dwellers
Led structural design and full documentation for single-storey residential units. Coordinated geotechnical investigations, authority liaison, and produced complete structural drawings under NEC3 contract conditions.
Design & Construct
Junior Structural Engineer
Prokon Revit
SANS / NHBRC Standards NEC3 Contract Structural Calculations Revit & AutoCAD Detailing MEP Coordination Geotechnical Coordination
P07
Eskom
High Security Building & Access Roads
Updated as-built drawings for a high-security facility capturing site modifications to foundations and slabs. Performed structural calculations for roof slab formwork, contributed to QA inspection of rebar and embedded security elements.
Security Infrastructure
Junior Structural Engineer
Revit BIM
BIM / Revit QA / Handover Documentation MEP Integration Clash Resolution Formwork Calculations
P08
Limpopo Department of Health
Condition Assessment — Healthcare Facilities
Comprehensive technical inspections of healthcare infrastructure across Limpopo Province. Assessed structural elements, civil works, and ancillary systems; identified defects, rated deterioration, and produced rehabilitation strategies and technical reports.
Provincial Infrastructure
Graduate Engineer
Condition Assessment Technical Reporting
Structural Inspection Defect Analysis Repair Specification Technical Report Writing SANS Codes Infrastructure Master Planning
P09
Govan Mbeki Municipality
Infrastructure Master Planning — Roads & Stormwater
Assessing current infrastructure condition, translating spatial and infrastructure data into capacity, feasibility, and design-ready projects aligned with municipal and national standards. Supporting stakeholder engagement and technical reporting.
Municipal Planning
Civil Engineer (Current)
Civil 3D Master Planning
Infrastructure Assessment Spatial Data Analysis Municipal Standards Stakeholder Engagement Technical Reporting
P10
Agilecraft Consulting · Johannesburg Informal Settlement
Design & Construction — Community Hall
Acting as Project Engineer at the full intersection of client intent, community interests, structural design, and multidisciplinary coordination. Responsible for structural design while managing architecture and all services (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) — and will lead construction supervision through to completion. A project demanding equal measures of technical rigour, stakeholder sensitivity, and project leadership in a constrained informal settlement environment.
Turnkey Delivery
Project Engineer — Current
● Active
Project Engineering Leadership Structural Design Architectural Coordination MEP Services Coordination Client & Community Liaison Stakeholder Management Informal Settlement Delivery Context Construction Supervision (Upcoming) Multidisciplinary Integration
04

Technical Capability

SANS
South Africa · Primary practice
DAILY DESIGN BASIS
  • SANS 10160 — actions & basis of design
  • SANS 10162 — structural steelwork
  • SANS 10100 — structural concrete
Eurocode
EN 1990–1998 · Design & research
DESIGN BASIS
  • EN 1992 concrete · EN 1993-1-8 joints
  • EN 1997 geotechnical · EN 1998 seismic
CSA
Canada · Working knowledge
APPLIED ON MINING WORK
  • CSA S16 — limit states steel design
  • CSA A23.3 — concrete structures
Advanced Analysis Software
— In Progress Active User Proficient —
Abaqus CAE / Explicit
Nonlinear FEA · CDP · JH-2 · JC · Impact Analysis
Active User
Prokon
RC Design · Steel Design · Foundations
Active User
Robot Structural Analysis
Linear & Nonlinear Analysis
Active User
ANSYS Explicit Dynamics
Explicit Dynamics · Cornell University via edX
In Progress
Drafting & Modelling
— In Progress Active User Proficient —
Autodesk Revit (Structure)
BIM Modelling · Construction Drawings
Active User
AutoCAD
2D Drafting · Detailing · As-Builts
Active User
Civil 3D
Road Design · Storm & Sanitary · Grading
Active User
Design Codes & Standards
Eurocode 2 (RC)
SANS 10162 (Steel)
SANS 10160 (Loads)
SANS 10400 (Buildings)
NHBRC Guidelines
FIDIC Red Book (All Works)
NEC3 Contract
Research Specialisation
— In Progress Active User Proficient —
Impact & Blast Mechanics
Penetration · Perforation · Scabbing · Dynamic Response
Active User
Constitutive Material Modelling
CDP · Johnson-Cook · JH-2 · Strain-Rate Effects
Active User
Structural Dynamics
Modal Analysis · Dynamic Response · Time-History
Active User

Near-Term Technical Focus

"My trajectory is toward advanced FEA and structural dynamics as a specialist capability — targeting the sectors where this analysis is genuinely scarce: mining dynamics, protective structures, nuclear impact assessment, and large civil infrastructure."

05

Professional Experience

June 2026 — Current
Structural Engineer — Industrial Structures
Industrial Civil & Structural Consultancy · Secunda

Structural design and assessment for petrochemical, mining and private clients. Equipment-supporting slabs — including openings and modifications to structures in operation — mine infrastructure steel with connection design in IDEA StatiCa, and heavy ground-bearing foundations delivered cross-border to Nigeria. Working across SANS, Eurocode and CSA in Prokon, Robot Structural Analysis and IDEA StatiCa.

Industrial Structures Existing-Structure Assessment Connection Design Multi-Code Practice Cross-Border Delivery
October 2025 — May 2026
Civil Engineer
Agilecraft Consulting

Leading infrastructure master planning for Govan Mbeki Municipality across roads and stormwater management — assessing infrastructure condition and translating spatial data into capacity, feasibility, and design-ready projects. Simultaneously acting as Project Engineer on the design and construction of a community hall in Johannesburg, coordinating structural design, architecture, and all engineering services from inception through to construction supervision.

Infrastructure Master Planning Municipal Standards Stakeholder Engagement Community Hall Design
April 2024 — October 2025
Junior Civil & Structural Design Engineer
NuSpark Engineering (Seasonal)

Design and construct projects for Eskom including structural design of residential units (Ingula relocation), small sewage treatment systems, condition assessments of chemical facilities, and road networks. Produced engineering drawings in Revit and AutoCAD, coordinated multidisciplinary teams, and managed technical documentation.

Structural Design Eurocode 2 Revit BIM NEC3 MEP Coordination
April 2024 — October 2025
Assistant Site Engineer
Nkateko Group

Delivered across four projects for Randwater and Eskom including a R220M wastewater treatment upgrade and R20M perimeter wall. Supervised structural works, coordinated trades, managed claims and RFIs, applied FIDIC Red Book and NEC3 contracts, and liaised with community SMMEs.

R220M Project FIDIC Red Book RC Rehabilitation QA/QC SMME Management
June 2022 — February 2023
Graduate Civil & Structural Engineer
PESD Consulting

Conducted condition assessments of healthcare facilities for the Limpopo Department of Health. Developed rehabilitation strategies, compiled comprehensive technical reports, and gained deep familiarity with SANS codes, wastewater systems, water purification, and health and safety principles.

Healthcare Infrastructure Condition Assessment SANS Codes Technical Reporting
06

Let's Connect

I am open to structural engineering roles in organisations that value technical depth — and selectively available for specialist FEA and dynamics engagements alongside employment. If you are working on problems that require serious computational analysis, I want to hear about them.

Whether you are a consultancy, a developer, a mining house, or an organisation building something that needs to be analysed properly — reach out.

Availability

Open to structural engineering roles — Johannesburg & surrounds
Selectively available for specialist FEA / dynamics consulting work
Open to international remote collaboration and project-based work