The Osterberg Cell

The Osterberg Cell

HCM was contracted to provide supply & installation of O-Cell load test on the New Calgary Library project located in downtown core of the city, in close proximity to the City Hall. The outcome of the load test was to determine the actual soil parameters for the foundation pile design on the project.

The O-cell is a hydraulically driven, high capacity, sacrificial loading device installed within the foundation unit. As the load is applied to the O cell, it begins working in two directions; upward against upper side shear and downward against base resistance and lower side shear (if applicable). Each O-cell is specially instrumented to allow for direct measurement of the O-cell’s expansion. O-cells range in capacities from 800 kN to 26,000 kN.

The scope of work consisted in installation of single test pile (1070mm diam. x 8.0 meters top liner casing, 910mm diam. x 8.0 meters rock socket). The overall length of test pile was approx.16 meters. O-cell was attached to the bottom of the steel frame c/w instrumentation connections, gauges, wiring etc.

Steel frame was manufactured in HCM’s shop, the O-cell was supplied by Loadtest Inc. HCM installed the pile in one day according to the timeline and specification requirements.

Client: Tetra Tech EBA

Location: Calgary, Alberta

Sarcee Trail

Sarcee Trail

The foundation of an existing residential apartment building in Southwest Calgary was compromised and required remedial measures to be completed. 

RWH designed a micropile underpinning system based on the initial geotechnical investigation. Together, HCM and RWH developed a testing strategy to confirm the soil bond strength and the design parameters obtained from the report. This involved installing and loading a sacrificial micropile to 250% of the design load. The test was successful and the remaining production micropiles were installed as designed.   

The challenging aspect of this project was working within the confined space beneath the building.  Initially having only a 1.2m headroom restriction, the installation areas were excavated to 2.3m below the bottom floor in a series of trenches and ventilation openings were constructed.  A low headroom? TEI rock drill was brought into the confined space in pieces and reassembled at the drilling locations.  Furthermore, the compressor for the drill had to be located outside the building.

These challenges were met with efficient and safe solutions by HCM.

Client: Madden Matthews Eng. Ltd.

Location: Calgary, Alberta

TTC Patten Building

TTC Patten Building

HC Matcon was retained to install micropile foundation for TTC Patten Building on 835 Davenport Road, Toronto. The building was originally designed for storage of paper tickets and when TTC transitioned to using tokens the increased loading caused settlement and structural issues which required strengthening of its foundations. 

The project consisted of drilling and installing 90 micropiles to a depth of 15M.  Working conditions presented an issue as drilling was restricted in a basement of an existing building where headroom was 3.5 meters high. HCM mobilized the Klemm low headroom drill rig in order to complete the project with productions to meet the strict deadlines required from TTC. 

The project was completed in a timely fashion and on budget. HC Matcon is well equipped to deal with difficult conditions presented on any project and are experts in micropile installations.

Client: Toronto Transit Commission & Buttcon LTD.

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Cobourg Railway Station

Cobourg Railway Station

On this project, HCM, in conjunction with its in-house engineering company, RWH Engineering Inc. (RWH), was able to offer the owner one source for the design, supply, and installation of a complete temporary shoring system and precision monitoring services. 

RWH produced an efficient design that conformed to AREMA railway standards and resulted in savings to the owner, in comparison to the original tendered drawings. The RWH design included a double pile and lagging system with 17.5 meter long tiebacks, required due to the soft soils. In addition, HCM installed 275 mm diameter permanent micropiles at the base of the shoring. The micropiles extended through 12 meters of soil and were founded 5 meters into bedrock to provide the required capacity. 

The general contractor benefited from working with a single source that could take responsibility for all aspects of the shoring and deep foundations work – guaranteeing quality and reducing costs.

Client: Via Rail Canada Inc.

Location: Cobourg, Ontario

144 Park Street

144 Park Street

During the bidding process, HCM proposed an innovative design-build shoring solution for the 144 Park Street project, a 19 storey condominium in the downtown core of Waterloo. HCM was retained by Mady Developments to design, supply, and install a complete 9,500 SF bypass shotcrete shoring system.

RWH Engineering Inc. (RWH), an HC Group company, took on the design and monitoring responsibility for the project. The design consisted of a tied-back bypass shotcrete shoring system to a depth of approximately 5 meters. Bypass shotcrete is a unique solution developed by HCM which combines the benefits of shotcrete with a traditional piling system.

HCM’s design-build approach allows for a single source of responsibility. The HCM/RWH integrated working relationship facilitates quick response to design changes and site issues that may occur, ultimately minimizing potential delays and helping to maintain project milestones.

Client: Mady Development Construction Ltd.

Location: Waterloo, Ontario

The HC Group team is positioned to provide exemplary service when performing design-build work – providing both cost and schedule savings to the project.

Maxwell Bates

Maxwell Bates

This project, located on Fourth Street in the downtown core of Calgary, consisted of a tied-back continuous caisson wall.  The caisson wall provided zero ground loss and minimal water infiltration, an important feature in the high density area of downtown.  HCM was able to call upon experience from similar successful past projects, such as the installation of a tied-back continuous caisson wall for the new Mustard Seed Building on Tenth Avenue and Centre Street S.E., to ensure a successful project.

The system was designed for a maximum excavation of approximately 8.5 meters below grade at the north portion of the site and 10 meters below grade at the south portion of the site.  This resulted in an approximate total area of 13,100 square feet of shoring required.

This project is another example of HCM’s ability to work with a General Contractor to execute a successful shoring project with a tight schedule and budget.

Client: Ledcor Construction Ltd.

Location: Calgary, Alberta

Pixel by Battistella

Pixel by Battistella

HCM was contracted to provide the design and installation of shoring system for a 110 unit building consisting of town homes, studios and condos. This development was located at 1037 Second Avenue N. W. Calgary, Alberta. HCM, in conjunction with RWH Engineering, designed, supplied and installed a tied-back continuous caisson wall.

The shoring was designed for a maximum excavation depth of 10 meters below grade for a total of approximately 18,900 square feet of shoring area. The soil conditions consisted of gravels with the presence of ground water, making the continuous caisson wall the superior solution due to the zero ground loss and minimal water infiltration advantages.

This project had strict timeline requirements and called for the shoring to be completed in 28 days. In order to finish the project on time, HCM had to use double shifts and injection anchors to double the anchor production. The steps taken by HCM were successful and the project was finished within the given deadline.

Client: Battistella Developments

Location: Calgary, Alberta

Mapleview Drive

Mapleview Drive

The expansion of Mapleview Drive in Barrie required track protection for an existing railway overpass. HCM was retained to install a strutted piles and lagging shoring system. RWH Engineering Inc. (RWH), an HCM Group company, engaged the design responsibility for the project, resulting in significant improvements to the tendered drawings. HCM and RWH redesigned the shoring system to better suit excavation and bridge footing construction. The redesign revised the center pier shoring system from a boxed in strutted system to a tieback shoring system. This allowed better access for shoring installation, excavation, and forming.

Due to site conditions and steep slopes, HCM coordinated all drilling platforms with the GC which optimized shoring and excavation activities and maintained the project schedule. Coordination with the GC for the temporary bridge placement was paramount as track removal and temporary bridge and track installation had to occur in a time period of four days.

 

Client: Arnott Construction Ltd.

Location: Barrie, Ontario

Significant time-saving was realized during installation by redesigninig the tendered sheet piling and driven piles close to existing tracks with an extended drilled double pile and lagging.

The work was successfully completed on time and on budget. This project exemplifies HCM’s ability to find cost-effective solutions to complex project requirements.

Burke Residence

Burke Residence

The site topography presented the challenging task of installing shoring on steep slopes which impeded the accessibility of conventional equipment to the residential lot at the back alley portion of the site. The site was located in the Elboya Park region of SW Calgary. The purpose of the shoring was to protect the adjacent neighbouring property and utilities along the east, west and back sides of the site.

The east and the west sides of the property were shored with a cantilever steel pipe and timber lagging system. The shoring on these sides extended to 11 feet below grade, and approximately 70 feet long for a total area of 1,800 square feet.

The back side of the property presented the greatest challenge as it was along the steepest slope of the site with a designed depth of 15 feet below grade. Due to the site conditions, shotcrete was an ideal shoring solution. The total area of the shotcrete shoring covered 350 square feet.

Due to the residential nature of the site special emphasis was put on the impact of the project to the surrounding area. The disruption to neighbouring properties, along with noise and vibration and existing structures was carefully monitored and managed.

HCM finished the project on schedule completing in two planned stages according to the progress requirements of the general contractor.

Client: Hillson Homes

Location: Calgary, Alberta

BRT Tomken Station

BRT Tomken Station

The Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is a dedicated roadway for bus travel. It stretches 18 km from Winston Churchill Boulevard to Renforth Drive.

HCM’s scope of work for this project included all shoring and caisson work to accomodate the construction of transit stations, bridge underpasses and overpasses, and below grade roadways. HCM’s tender submission used shotcrete for roadway protection systems and two-sided shoring for bridge underpass/overpass construction. This unique design, completed by RWH Engineering Inc. (RWH), an HC Group company, resulted in many cost and schedule savings for the owner.

There were numerous jobsites that HCM coordinated during different stages of the project schedule which made communication between the HCM team, the GC and other sub trades critical. This project exemplifies the ability of HCM to assist owners and GCs in finding beneficial solutions for all parties.

Client: Metrolinx

Location: Mississauga, Ontario

McMaster Nuclear Building

McMaster Nuclear Building

The nuclear research building was an upgrade to the existing structure to allow for world class nuclear research for leading nuclear scientists.  This project was funded by the provincial and federal governments as part of a stimulus package for Hamilton, Ontario.  This project required a deep foundation solution to support the proposed structure next to the existing nuclear building.

Helicals were designed and installed with 4.5” diameter helical pipe to allow for desired corrosion protection.  Load testing confirmed the ULS loading and the design was based on a SLS of 400KN.  RWH, an HC Group company, worked very closely with the structural engineer, Atkinson, to ensure SLS settlements and differentials were less than the specified 1/2” maximum.  The helicals were founded 30ft deep in a layer that provided sufficient resistance but required very accurate placement due to wet, poor soils located just above and below the layer.  An important challenge to note was that construction and excavation was performed beside the nuclear testing building and vibrations had to be kept to a minimum due to sensitive equipment located inside.

HC Matcon’s operators and site supervisors performed their work with a very high degree of skill allowing successful installation of the helicals while proceeding on schedule with the contract timeline.  HC Matcon also provided zero clearance shotcrete complete with excavation in a second stage contract, working with a new owner, to attain budgeted costs allowing that contract to proceed with government grants.  This is also an excellent example of the HCM/RWH service in design build of helical piers.

Client: IRA MCdonald Construction Limited

Location: Hamilton, Ontario

TTC Steels Launch Shaft

TTC Steels Launch Shaft

The TTC tendered the Steeles Launch Shaft project as part of the much needed Shepherd subway extension into Vaughan. HCM undertook this project as a general contractor: self-performing the shoring, excavation, dewatering, and precision monitoring of the shoring system.

The shaft was 20 meters in depth and required removal of 20,000 cubic meters of material. RWH Engineering Inc. (RWH), an HC Group company, working together with T.H. O’Rourke Engineering, designed a three level strutted system of 460mm – 610mm diameter pre-loaded struts to brace the shoring walls. This design made the shoring system more durable as necessitated by the project due to the extended exposure to heat, cold and frost penetration as the excavated area was to remain open for a minimum of two years. The shoring was initially designed as piles and lagging with a portion of caisson wall, but was redesigned by RWH to a complete caisson wall as a result of these factors. RWH completed all monitoring which involved inclinometers, strain gauges, total stations, and piezometers. Final movement of the shaft showed less than 0.5% of the height. This project shows how HCM and RWH can perform a combination of construction activities, and provide the additional benefit of engineering and precision monitoring services, saving owners money while providing a safe shoring solution.

Client: Toronto Transit Commission

Location: North York, Ontario