INNOVATION July-August 2013

Phase II Geotechnical Stability Study – Detailed Risk Analysis GES Geotech was retained by the City of North Vancouver to carry out a Phase II detailed risk assessment on 18 properties identified as having “high” and “very high” partial risks with respect to slope stability close to creeks. The objective of the study was to apply a risk-management approach to identify and prioritize the areas susceptible to landslide hazard using an acceptable risk-based approach that the general public could relate to and understand. Work included a geologic field review, topographic survey analysis, site visit and borehole investigation, and slope reconnaissance for the purposes of stability analysis (deriving factors of safety). Four out of the 18 properties were in need of implementation of active mitigation measures. Owner: City of North Vancouver. Geotechnical consultant: GES Geotech (Dr. Mahmoud Mahmoud, P.Eng., FEC) with preliminary input from BGC Engineering.

Alert Bay Ferry Terminal BC Ferry Services recently completed major upgrades to the ferry terminal on Cormorant Island, east of Port McNeill. The upgrades involved complete replacement of the wingwalls, ramp tower, abutment and apron, and storage/maintenance building. The improvements are a component of significant investments in improved reliability and service being made by BC Ferry Services. Design included both on and offshore drilling programs, pile analyses and consideration of various berth configurations to accommodate a range of ships. Use of the peninsula of reclaimed land was maximized by extension with retaining walls and geogrid reinforced soil. Challenging deep ground conditions were overcome with the use of multiple pile installation techniques including, drilling, churning, driving and vibration. Design, prefabrication and planning were employed to minimize terminal down time.

Owner: BC Ferry Services Inc. Client (Structural/Civil Engineer): Herold Engineering. Geotechnical engineer: Levelton Consultants. Contractor: Fraser River Pile & Dredge (GP).

The Belmont – Building Enclosure Renewals Complete building enclosure renewals were undertaken at The Belmont in 2012 to replace aging components while improving the building’s energy efficiency. Originally constructed in 1986, this 37-suite high-rise is a key part of a project to study deep energy retrofit opportunities. RDH Building Engineering designed the upgrades, managed the construction process, and is performing ongoing measurement and verification. Energy savings as a result of the enclosure renewals were estimated through whole building energy modelling to be 20% in overall building energy. Since the upgrades, an average of 30% cost savings has been recorded. This project serves as a model for energy-efficient and economical renewal of an existing building. Client/Owner: Strata Plan VR 1647. Engineer and construction manager: RDH Building Engineer- ing (Warren Knowles, P.Eng.; Graham Finch, P.Eng.; Susan Hayes, P.Eng.; Brittany Hanam, P.Eng.; Lorne Ricketts, EIT; Ed Thiessen, P.Eng.).

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