• 1939 Just before World War II the South African National Roads Board was created, and several young South African engineers visited the USA to study soil mechanics and its application in civil engineering practice
• 1947 an Informal National Committee on Soil Mechanics was formed among members of the South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE)
• 1948 Geotechnical Division was formed. The South Africa National Society was founded under the auspices of SAICE and was constituted thus: The South African Institution of Civil Engineers is affiliated to the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering as the South African National Group representing the Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering interests in the Union of South Africa. To meet the requirements of these activities, a special Division known as the Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Division of the South African Institution of Civil Engineers is constituted.