A new method for non-destructive integrity testing of drilled shafts and micropiles using hallow rebars

By Horst Aschenbroich, Dipl Ing., Con-Tech Systems

Due to the possible de-bonding problem of smooth entry tubes with concrete for crosshole sonic logging (CSL) in many drilled shaft projects, test results can be wrongly interpreted. Unnecessary and costly remedial work is often conducted. The Hollow Bar system, originally introduced by Con-Tech Systems in North America, for grout injection bored IBO, soil nails and micropiles, turned out to be an ideal hollow rebar solution to solve the de-bonding problem. As an additional bonus, tests have shown that replacing standard rebars with the hollow bars used for CSL will produce a much more rigid and stiffer rebar cage, making handling and placing into the drilled hole faster and safer.

A simple, fast and highly effective low-vibration driven pile system using high-strength ductile iron

By Mark Tigchelaar, GeoSolv Design/Build Inc.

Pile foundations have existed as load carrying and load transferring methods for many years, to put it mildly. From the early days of civilization for both defense and strategic advantage, most settlements were located close to water sources, such as rivers and lakes. However, as most know, a high water table equals soft soils that are difficult to build on. These soft, low-weight-bearing soils had to be strengthened somehow, and so the most primitive form of piling was born. In those days, timber piles were the only form of pile available and were typically driven into the ground by hand, making it an effective, but very slow and sometimes dangerous and time-consuming task.¹

The Geopier RAP system for ground improvement

By Mark Tigchelaar, P. Eng., GeoSolv Design/Build

Ground improvement techniques have become more widely used in Canada over the past decade and owners, developers, contractors and engineers have gradually taken notice of the unique advantages offered by using ground improvement techniques. Of the many ground improvement techniques used in Canada, few have been employed more often than the Geopier Rammed Aggregate Pier® (RAP) system. Since 2006, many thousands of linear kilometres of Geopier RAP elements have been installed in Canada to support industrial, commercial and residential projects, and other applications such as liquefaction mitigation, embankment and wall support, and other structures. Since its introduction in the U.S. over 30 years ago, the Geopier RAP system reinforces a wide variety of soil types including undocumented fill, loose sands, soft/sensitive clays, silts and trapped organics to provide increased bearing capacity and engineered settlement control.

THE RAPID IMPACT COMPACTION SYSTEM

By Neil Isenegger, P. Eng., GeoSolv Design/Build Inc.

As challenging soil sites become the norm, the search is on for innovative and cost-effective methods to support new building construction. When spread footings simply don’t work, traditional approaches to poor soils such as over-excavation and replacement or deep foundation systems can be costly, time-consuming and cumbersome.

The Densipact^® system may be just what your project needs

By Mark Tigchelaar, P.Eng.

Sandy soil can be found throughout all regions of Canada and oftentimes in areas of planned development for large, load-bearing structures.

This technique for repairing, strengthening or deepening existing foundations has been around more than 100 years, and new methods have evolved that rely heavily on micropiles for added support

By Mark Halsall

HC Matcon Inc. is a geotechnical excavation, shoring and foundations firm based in Ayr, Ont., a small community near Kitchener-Waterloothat is about an hour’s drive west of Toronto. As some of their work is done in the crowded urban confines of downtown Toronto and its surrounding municipalities, the company specializes in underpinning of existing building foundations.

Choosing the correct method can be challenging

By Hamed Layssi, P.Eng., Ph.D., and Farid Moradi, P.Eng., Ph.D., FPrimeC Solutions Inc.

Aging transportation infrastructure in North America is a serious threat to both the fabric of society and its economy. Many of these critical structures, such as bridges, wind turbines, transmission lines and telecommunication towers require proper inspection and maintenance. The most important issues with regard to ageing structures are the present condition of these assets and identifying maintenance priorities among a wide range of infrastructure facilities.¹

Geopier GeoConcrete® Column System can provide a solution for extremely high loads in very poor soils

By Bentzi Belfon, GeoSolv

Structural foundations are often forgotten by most people outside of the construction industry, even though without those same foundations, most structures would quite literally sink into the ground. As anyone familiar with foundations can attest, they are far from easy to design and can often be very costly, given the many unfavourable surprises you might find underground.

Applications and limitations

By Drs. Hamed Layssi and Farid Moradi

A solid, stable and safe foundation is a must havein the development of every major infrastructure to ensure their

Managing geotechnical risk without being afraid

By Masoud Manzari, P.Eng. and Mark Tigchelaar, P. Eng., GeoSolv Design/Build

In the last article, we covered the relationship between projects and risk.

In this is the third and final installment, we will discuss the right way to manage geotechnical risk as it pertains to high-risk projects.

Risk and projects

By Masoud Manzari, P.Eng. and Mark Tigchelaar, P. Eng., GeoSolv Design/Build

The first article of this series covered “What is Risk?” Now we will discuss how risk and projects interact.