INNOVATION July-August 2015

Scour and Erosion Evaluation Program Northwest Hydraulic Consultants (NHC) was contracted by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to work on the Major Bridge Scour and Erosion Evaluation Program. This involved analyzing the scour and erosion risk assessment of piers, abutments and approach roads for the design flood. Each bridge was evaluated for disturbances at the watershed level, reach level (lateral stability, degradation) and local level (contraction and local scour, adequacy of protection), and focused on higher risk major structures in the ministry’s hydrographic survey program. A total of 94 structures were reviewed. Through assessment and screening of these bridges, NHC determined if any should be dropped from the program, established schedules for re-surveying bridges, and prepare a plan of action to mitigate specific issues. Owner: BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Engineering: Des Goold, P.Eng.; Mike Feduk, P.Eng.; (Northwest Hydraulics Consultants); and Khalid Khan, P.Eng. and Dan Cossette, EIT (Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure). Avalanche Fencing Installation In the fall 2014, crews completed Canada’s second avalanche fencing installation at the 35 Mile area, 56 kilometers west of Terrace. 35 Mile causes about 80% of Highway 16 closures between Terrace and Prince Rupert. This installation is part of a trial to evaluate the effectiveness of fences for avalanche and icefall protection at this and other locations. The installation includes 82 meters of three-meter high steel mesh, installed in three rows in the avalanche starting zone, which will prevent avalanche initiation. The structures were installed by a seven-person crew transported daily by helicopter, where they were secured with ropes to the 40 to 55 degree slope 325 meters above the highway. Owner: Province of British Columbia (Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure). Project team: Brent Case, P.Eng.; Steve Brushey; Scott Garvin (MoTI); Stephen Bean, P.Eng.; Warren Wunderlick, P.Eng. (Thurber Engineering); Alan Jones, P.Eng. (Dynamic Avalanche Consulting); Andy Buechi (Geobrugg Geohazard Solutions).

Waste Heat Recovery Retrofit In 2014 Vancity engaged SES Consulting to replace its aging boiler plant. Vancity operates a large data centre with year-round cooling needs, and SES proved it was feasible to capture the waste heat from the centre to heat the entire building. This had the potential to eliminate 95% of the annual natural gas

consumption. A heat recovery chiller, designed to boost the low- grade heat generated from the centre, was hoisted 12 stories into the air and through a 32-inch doorway. Reduced cooling tower and pump usage have partially offset the energy required to operate the chiller. The project reduced Vancity’s natural gas consumption by 5,000 GJ and GHG emissions by 75%. The project has a simple payback of six years. Owner: Vancouver City Savings Credit Union (Vancity). Project lead: Scott Sinclair, P.Eng. Project team: Chris Goodchild, EIT; Richard Baker; Doug Robertson; Wendy Worrall; Drew Scoular; Ron Wong, P.Eng.; Kieran Manning; Troy Bazille; Dennis Power.

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