Skip to content

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

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
Read More

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
Read More
Kidd's Creek Culvert Restoration

Kidd’s Creek Culvert Restoration

Versatile Installations Minimized Costs Work on the Kidd’s Creek Culvert Restoration project involved the supply and installation of 600 plus helical pile supports for new catch basins, man holes, culverts
Read More
Mill Pond Estates

Mill Pond Estates

Shotcrete: Low Cost and Overcoming Hillside Access Issues This 12,000 sq. ft. project involved temporary hillside shoring for a developer in Tillsonburg. The project was completed during winter months with
Read More
EEEL University of Calgary

EEEL University of Calgary

Zero Ground Loss This project followed shortly after finishing the Taylor Family Digital Library project, which was in close proximity to this site on the same campus. Design considerations for
Read More

Dufferin Jog Elimination

Dufferin Jog Elimination This project involved the extension of Duffering Street under an existing CN rail line and through the abutment wall of a century old CN bridge at Queen
Read More