Johan O’connell

Biography

O’Connell is a senior researcher in the CSIR’s transport infrastructure engineering group. He obtained an MSc in organic chemistry from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1988. His experience includes design and application of asphalt and seals, managing a binder laboratory and researching new binder applications and specifications; as well as product manufacture, application and evaluation. He specialises in binder rheology and premature failure troubleshooting. He has published more than 40 papers with regards to the bitumen, asphalt and seals industry.

Research Interest

O’Connell’s research focuses on the introduction of a new performance-graded binder specification for pavement construction in southern Africa, and the establishment of bituminous binder ageing models which can be linked to asphalt pavement life expectancy and pothole development.