University of Toronto Faculty of Law

TTC Steels Launch Shaft

The expansion of the Faculty of Law building at the University of Toronto incorporated the addition of another storey to the existing building. The increased loading required an upgrade to the capacity of the building foundation. HCM proposed an innovative solution to install micropiles next to the caissons to accommodate the additional loading. The micropile foundation was designed by RWH Engineering Inc. (RWH), an HCM Group company.

Specialty equipment was required to install the micropiles inside the existing building, as there was only four meters of headroom in some areas. HCM used a low head room drill to install micropiles to depths of 18 meters. The micropile design required triple post-grouting to achieve the necessary bond between the grout and the soil. The soil encountered was comprised of layers of sand, silt, and clay. To confirm the design adhesion, a sacrificial load test was performed to 250% of the ULS load.

This project is an example of how HCM/RWH can offer alternative foundation solutions to meet the needs of any project, including projects with challenging site restrictions.

Client: Eastern Construction

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Talbot Street

Talbot Street

HCM completed the design-build shoring for the Azure condominium project in downtown London. Due to the soil conditions encountered during initial drilling, a full depth caisson wall was installed for the construction of a two storey underground parking structure.

A combination of tiebacks and internal struts were used to support the 12.0m deep excavation. After piling was complete tieback encroachment became no longer possible along the west wall and had to be converted to a double rakered system. As the foundation structure was entirely precast this presented unique challenges when using rakers. RWH worked together with HCM and the Developer to make the internal bracing system work around the precast panels and designed the system to allow for removals to help facilitate the constriction process.

The shoring was constructed next to an existing church sensitive to movements. Excavation procedures were modified and extra considerations were taken in both the design and construction to reduce any movements and vibrations. Further, RWH completed target, inclinometer and vibration monitoring to verify the shoring performance throughout construction and ensure minimal impact to the church structure.

Client: The Tricar Group

Location: London, Ontario

Aligning with the HCM group’s core value of sustainability, the Azure project became the first LEEDS condominium project in London’s history.

Midtown Lofts

Midtown Lofts

On this project, HCM in conjunction with RWH Engineering Inc. (RWH), provided the owner with a complete design-build package and precision monitoring services for an 8.5m deep temporary shoring system.

RWH produced a tailored piles and lagging shoring design. As tiebacks were not feasible on the project due to encroachment limitations, RWH provided a waler and raker design that minimized interference as construction progressed.

HCM worked closely with the general contractor during pile installation and lagging to ensure that excavation proceeded safely and on schedule. Precision monitoring was implemented and reviewed by RWH throughout the project to confirm the integrity of the shoring system and surrounding infrastructure.

Client: GUPM Construction Managers

Location: Kitchener, Ontario

University of Ottawa STEM Complex

University of Ottawa STEM Complex

HCM installed a 36,000 SF shoring system for the new STEM Complex at the University of Ottawa. To reduce the shoring schedule during the harsh Ottawa winter, HCM deployed double crews, 24 hours a day for both vertical drilling and anchor installation. Constant adaptation to the soil conditions was needed due to the presence of soft clays, cobbley till, and flowing sands. Multiple freeze-thaw cycles made for challenging site conditions requiring proficient site communication to ensure a productive and safe jobsite. RWH Engineering Inc. produced an efficient shoring solution and by self-performing the precision monitoring allowed for the design to be verified closely with the excavation procedures. In-house engineering support also ensured there was no downtime caused by unforeseen conditions or site issues.

HCM worked alongside the other contractors to expedite the project to the bottom of the 17 meter deep site in 3 months.

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Customer: R.W. Tomlinson Ltd

Currie Barracks Residential Development

Currie Barracks Residential Development

HCM was contracted to provide the design and installation of shoring system for a multi-family condo development in the Currie Barracks area SW Calgary. Conventional cantilever pile and timber lagging shoring system was used to support the excavation for the foundation wall along 50% of the perimeter of the entire building footprint. Most of the shoring was offset from the foundation wall and the remaining portion was used as a blind form for the concrete formworks. This was determined by the presence of the City of Calgary Utility Right of Way (URW) and the close proximity to the property line at the areas that required shoring. The depth of excavation varied from 4-5 metres below grade. The shoring was regularly monitored by an HCM field engineer in order to detect any unusual movement and/or anomalies which may occur in early stages of the excavation. If movement had occurred, an alternate design solution consisting of an internal raker bracing was prepared at early stages of the shoring design. This provided the owner/developer with significant cost savings as the shoring showed negligible movement for the duration of the excavation.


HCM completed this project on schedule and according to the planned stages of the progress requirements determined by the General Contractor.

Location: Calgary, Alberta

Customer: Lear Construction Management

Twinning Tunnels

Twinning Tunnels

The installation of a deep trunk sanitary sewer system in the bedrock beneath Erin Mills Parkway in Mississauga required an innovative approach for shoring manholes. For this project, HCM was contracted to install nine caisson wall compression rings at various locations. RWH Engineering Inc. (RWH), an HC Group company, provided an economical design for the shafts which had diameters of up to 11 meters and depths up to 50 meters.

RWH overcame several design challenges on this project including the consideration of the compression rings to withstand large uneven surcharges due to a close embankment as well as significant crane loads. To ensure the integrity of the shoring system, RWH provided the precision monitoring services.

This project required the installation of the compression rings into the bedrock to support the overburden. HCM successfully implemented RWH’s innovative design which did not include a bench at the top of the bedrock, as commonly seen in compression ring design. This resulted in a reduced diameter of the compression rings, significantly reducing the amount of bulk excavation required as well as installation time.

The project exemplifies HCM’s ability to find effective solutions to complex projects to minimize construction time.

Location: Mississauga, Ontario

Customer: McNally Construction Inc.

Odeon Ronmore Development

Odeon Ronmore Development

HCM was contracted to provide the design and installation of shoring system for a mixed use commercial development in the main corridor of the Garrison Woods area SW Calgary. RWH designed a tied-back pile and timber lagging shoring system to support the vertical excavation for the foundation wall along the majority of the building perimeter. Due to overhead power restrictions and minimal clearances to the property line, the laneway side of the project was supported by a soil nailed shotcrete system. The laneway shoring presented various challenges including anchor encroachment limitations that could not exceed 6.0m to the adjacent property. Anchors were tightly spaced and injection grouted bars installed to gain increased soil adhesion. Regular site inspections and monitoring was performed by RWH to review the performance of the shoring and confirm the design during all stages of the excavation. The shoring was designed for a maximum excavation depth of 10m below grade for a total of 13,200 SF of shoring area.

HCM finished this project on schedule working with the General Contractor to escalate excavation activities and meet the occupancy milestone outlined by the owner.

Location: Calgary, Alberta

Customer: Chandos Construction Ltd.

Oshawa Mall

Oshawa Mall

The Oshawa Mall expansion was a large project that required several foundation and shoring services. HCM met the needs of the contractor by providing both tied back and cantilevered lagging shoring systems, shotcrete underpinning, and installation of caissons.

Client: Ledcor Construction Ltd.

Location: Oshawa, Ontario

RWH Engineering Inc. (RWH) completed the shoring designs and provided layout, as well as precision and vibration monitoring services. Taking on this additional scope, HCM/RWH were able to provide significant project cost-savings and minimize communication issues. On this project, the shotcrete underpinning design was superior to the conventional underpinning method and resulted in both schedule and cost savings due to the efficient construction process.

The HCM/RWH team provided services across multiple scopes of work, helping the contractor complete the project on time and within budget.

Weston Road

Weston Road

The Metrolinx Weston Tunnel project will serve as a below grade rail corridor for the GO Georgetown line linking the airport to downtown Toronto. HCM was subcontracted by KO Constructors to design, supply, and install several shoring systems as well as deep foundations.  

The project scope consisted of two shoring walls spanning a total distance of 2.6 km, ranging from 4.5 to 14 meters in depth. The shoring walls consisted of both bypass shotcrete and caisson wall to provide railway protection and allow for continuous GO train service. Precise coordination between all parties was required when drilling as close as 100 mm to the operational tracks.

HCM worked closely with the general contractor and owner to meet strict scheduling goals. HCM employed up to 5 large diameter drill rigs at one time, performed night work, and readily adapted to changes in the shoring scope to allow for early excavation and structure installation. RWH Engineering Inc. (RWH), an HC Group company, performed the precision monitoring on the project and was also involved in the design process, enabling accelerated design changes.

The Weston Tunnel project is an example of the service HCM and RWH can provide to a large scale project where schedule goals are important.  The HC Group is able to develop solutions and adapt to any changes in conditions allowing the project to progress without delays.

Client: KO Constructors

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Spray River Bridge

Spray River Bridge

During the 2013 flooding in Southern Alberta, the Spray River undermined the foundation of a 24m long all season bridge causing the bridge to collapse.   As the bridge was located on a non-motorized pathway in Banff National Park – 10km from the nearest road – the project required a solution that took into account the remote location. 

The existing bridge was able to be reused, but required a new alignment and redesigned footings.  RWH worked in conjunction with Parks Canada to design a piling solution for the new foundation.  A major consideration was designing for future scour depths and therefore pipe micropiles were selected. The design included eight micropiles, each extending 12m deep. The equipment was trammed to the location using existing fire roads and a cable tram was used to access the far side as protection of the surrounding natural environment was a key priority on this project. 

HCM’s versatile team worked together to handle this small, yet challenging job and successfully met the client’s unique project requirements.

Client: Parks Canada

Location: Banff National Park, Alberta

Silver Creek Solar Farm

Silver Creek Solar Farm

For this project, HCM provided installation services to EllisDon for the helical pile foundations for future solar racking. Due to the stringent timelines and project milestones, HCM employed a total of four crews on this job to meet the project schedule.

A large challenge that HCM faced on this project was the harsh winter. HCM dedicated an auger mounted excavator on site for the second half of the project to allow for any necessary pre-drilling through the 500 mm thick frost layer. The schedule was maintained despite site shut downs due to below -30 temperatures, as well as site access issues resulting from the inclement weather. 

RWH Engineering Inc. (RWH) provided the field engineering support for the project, which allowed HCM to provide complete pile installation records. 

Client: EllisDon Corporation

Location: Aylmer, Ontario

The teamwork of the HCM crew members in combination with the attention to detail provided by RWH, and the positive team support provided by EllisDon resulted in the project being successfully completed within schedule and budget.

Herald Block

Herald Block

HCM was chosen to provide a comprehensive design-build shoring solution for Phase 1 of Brookfield Place development, which will become the tallest building in Western Canada. The excavation spanned a city block and extended 22 meters deep. The shoring system, designed by RWH Engineering Inc. (RWH), was comprised of an 11 meter deep perched caisson wall above shotcrete, which continued into the rock for the remaining depth of the excavation. 

The challenges faced on this project included old foundations encountered during drilling, surrounding tightly clustered utilities, vulnerable neighbouring structures, and the adjacent light rail transit (LRT) system. HCM met these challenges with close attention to detail and meticulous planning to prevent any utility conflicts and structural damage. RWH completed the precision monitoring of the shoring and adjacent structures providing weekly reports to all stakeholders for the duration of the project. 

Client: EllisDon Corporation

Location: Calgary, Alberta

HCM was able to use their experience on past projects to design and construct a shoring solution that worked with the varying soil conditions at depth. This solution resulted in a more sustainable project as the perched wall required less material than a traditional full depth caisson wall, and provided project cost and schedule savings. Brookfield Place is an example of the ability of the HC Group to work together and overcome challenges in complex projects.