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

Telus Sky tower

Telus Sky tower - HC Matcon

Telus Sky tower

The Telus Sky tower will be the 3rd tallest building in Calgary with the deepest basement excavation in western Canada. HCM Group took on the challenge of creating a shoring system suitable for the 30m excavation. RWH designed the shoring system with an 11m deep perched secant wall and shotcrete was used in the bedrock to stabilize the rest of the excavation. HCM contractors were responsible for the installation of the perched secant wall and the shotcrete.

The project was not without its challenges. These challenges included neighboring structures, the LRT system that ran adjacent to the site, existing Telus utilities and limited working space within the excavation. An extremely sensitive Telus duct bank ran adjacent to the excavation and the movement of the bank had to be kept to a minimum. RWH had to take this into consideration when designing the wall. The footprint of the excavation was only 2,100m2. HCM contractors were able to work strategically with other sub-contractors to ensure work could be carried out seamlessly in the small area. RWH provided precision monitoring of the shoring, neighboring structures and the LRT line. Monitoring reports were provided twice a week until the excavation reached sound bedrock and it was then reduced to weekly.

HCM Group were able to use their experience with similar past projects to design and construct a shoring system that was suitable for the 30m excavation. The shoring moved 75% of what was originally predicted, proving it was more than adequate.

Client: Icon West Construction

Location: Calgary, Alberta

HC Group - Telus Sky Shoring Clean Wall
Telus Sky tower - HC Matcon
Telus Sky tower - HC Matcon
Telus Sky tower - HC Matcon

Mount Royal University Conservatory

Mount Royal University Conservatory

Mount Royal University Conservatory

Design considerations for the foundations were similar to previous projects in the area, with installation of approx. 220 cast-in-place belled piles. The project design team for structural & geotechnical engineering consisted of local firms of Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. & Thurber Engineering Ltd. The need for the new addition to a campus was a result of fast growing student population at the Mount Royal University and demands for specialty studies.

The soil conditions at mentioned site consisted predominantly of clay till which is ideal for large capacity belled piles. The shafts for the piles were in the range of:

  • 900mm
  • 1000mm
  • 1200mm
  • 1370mm in diameter.

The bells were sized at:

  • 2000mm
  • 2400mm
  • 2800mm
  • 3400mm
  • 3600mm in diameter

 

Mount Royal University Conservatory - Soldier Piles & Lagging

The average basing depth on this project was approx. 12.0m – 15.0m with an occasional need to protect the upper portion of the pile shafts by using temporary steel caising in order to prevent ingress of water into the pile shafts. The average concrete volumes for single piles were approx. 20 – 24 cu. metres. Among the challenges for HCM was installation of piles in close proximity to concrete and steel underground utilities which were present on site as a result of previously demolished structure. In many cases this required coring and managing voids in the shafts after removal of these obstructions. Also, numerous piles were belled in soils with occurrence of large boulders which required special considerations for handling of equipment, customized tooling requirements and operating skills.

HCM finished foundation piling scope of work ahead of planned schedule.

Client: Cana Management
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Centre 10

Centre 10

Centre 10

Two attempts had been made by others to build two high-rise condo towers on the site of the former Gaslight Square retail strip at 10th Ave and 4th Street SW, Calgary, Alberta. Centron, a developer, decided to buy it and changed the concept to a single building, mixed-use office retail development. The site was already excavated and seven levels of underground parking completed so a considerable amount of structural redesign was necessary; which includes the upgrade on the existing foundation system.

Designed by RWH Engineering, 80 micropiles are installed 20 to 30 feet below the existing footing to support the additional load. As the installation was undertaken in a 7th floor underground parkade, HCM had to deal with limited access and low overhead clearance. Man-portable drilling equipment was used to compile with these limitations.

Despite the challenges, the project went well with HCM scope of work being completed on schedule. The pile capacity is confirmed by one verification test and five proof tests.

Client: Centron
Location: Calgary, Alberta

The Fuse at Evolution

The Fuse at Evolution

The Fuse at Evolution

Following years of planning by the City of Calgary, construction on the anticipated East Village Development has started. The proud owners of the first land deal in EV in over a decade have committed to building about 700,000 sq. ft. of mixed-use residential property starting with The Fuse at Evolution.

HCM Contractors Inc. proposed an alternative design-build excavation shoring system that resulted in significant schedule and cost savings. With its’ local geotechnical knowledge and utilizing its two new Bauer BG24 drill rigs and segmental casing system, HCM showcased its ability to design, execute and bring a quality product to its’ client, Embassy Development Ltd.

HCM has also secured contracts on the next two East Village developments that include the long anticipated National Music Centre and First Condominiums. HCM is proud to be a part of this landmark development which is considered to be a turning point in East Village history and a transformative moment for EV.

Client: Embassy Bosa Inc
Location: Calgary, Alberta

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

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

Canada Post Micropiles

Canada Post Micropiles

No Emissions, No Problem

The Canada Post McKnight Mail Processing Centre Expansion project involved the installation of micropiles to support a renovation within the facility in northeast Calgary, Alberta. As the project was undertaken in an active mail processing facility, the execution presented a number of challenges. Due to the nature of the building, HCM had to deal with limited access and low overhead clearance.

Notably, there was a requirement that forbade any emissions within the building from operating equipment. This resulted in restrictions on the mobilizing of equipment, where fuel-powered engines could not be used. To solve this problem, the equipment was moved into place using an electric forklift. To satisfy the zero emission policy during work, a ducting system was conceived that vented the exhaust from the operating machines to the outside air via a connection through the roof of the building.

The nature of the facility also meant that work had to be conducted on weekends, when operations at the mail facility are light. HCM’s crew had to abide by security restrictions which limited access to specific parts of the building.

Despite the challenges, the project went well with HCM’s scope of work being completed in two days. To achieve the required capacity of the micropiles, post-grouting was required. Seven days after the installation, the piles were load tested to 150%.

Client: Scott Builders
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Currie Reservoir – Continuous Caisson Wall

Currie Reservoir - Continuous Caisson Wall

Increased Safety: We Used Horizontal H-Piles

This project is a part of a large upgrade to the Currie Reservoir in southwest Calgary, Alberta. The project included the installation of a caisson wall as well as horizontal shoring and underpinning.

  • The purpose of the installation of the caisson wall was to provide support for the existing pump-house structure as the excavation was taking place between the pump-house and underground water tank.
  • The retaining wall was designed by J.R. Spronken & Associates Ltd. as a Cantilever Secant Pile Wall with a maximum excavation depth of 8.0m below grade.
  • The length of the shoring wall is approximately 48 linear meters with total exposed surface area of about 370 square meters.
  • The pile sizes used include 760mm soldier piles and 610mm filler piles. The overall scope of the work consisted of drilling 28 soldier piles and 30 filler piles.

The client also approached HCM with the request to provide horizontal shoring/underpinning at the bottom of the excavation in order to provide a safe working platform for the connection of a 900mm diameter pipe between the pump-house and water tank. HCM completed this task by pushing a series of H-piles horizontally, using a hydraulic jack which was set-up on a specially designed steel frame system attached to the caisson wall.

HCM Contractors completed this project ahead of schedule and to the complete satisfaction of both the client and the engineer.

Client: PCL Construction Management
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Currie Reservoir

Currie Reservoir

Horizontal Underpinning

This project consisted of an interlocking secant pile wall, combined with horizontal underpinning to accommodate a new connection to a pump house at the Currie reservoir in Calgary. The interlocking secant pile wall (caisson wall) allows for an accelerated construction schedule as it eliminates the ground loss that is present with the use of other styles of shoring. Where utilities were present, bracing supports were used to resist the lateral pressures present behind the filler piles.

Unique to this job was the installation of horizontal underpinning. The job required a new connection between the existing reservoir and pump house. To accomplish this task, a tunnel had to be created to accommodate the 900mm connecting water pipe. The underpinning provides support for the tunnel walls. The system worked well; after excavation, the resulting tunnel allowed safe access for the installation of the connection pipe to the pump house.

Because of the job’s proximity to the working water reservoir, special environmental precautions had to be taken in order to avoid contamination. Site-specific procedures were implemented; in instances where lubricating oils had to be used, for example when sliding the horizontal underpinning beams, food grade oils were used over hydrocarbon-based oils. As a result, the integrity of the water supply was maintained throughout the duration of the project.

Client: PCL
Location: Calgary, Alberta