INNOVATION May-June 2019

2O18 ♦ 2O19 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

105 AVENUE CONNECTOR AND HAWTHORNE ROTARY PARK IMPROVEMENTS 105 Avenue Connector and Hawthorne Rotary Park Improvements provides multi-modal connectivity between Surrey’s Whalley and Guildford communities, protects existing and creates new wildlife habitat, and encourages use of nature-integrated public amenities. At the heart of the project, the Hawthorne Rotary Park underwent transformational change by introducing meandering wetlands and rich planting schemes along tiered pond banks. The improvements redefine the water cycle in an urban context, maximizing infiltration to native soils, reducing potable water usage for park operations, and recycling greywater to maintain downstream ecosystems. The improvements leveraged synergies not conventionally

available on municipal infrastructure upgrade projects; the project saw the application of innovative construction methodologies and piloted the use of new materials. The 105 Avenue Connector and Hawthorne Rotary Park has been transformed into a multi-purpose nature- integrated recreational space, which complements the surrounding area, enhances public safety, and protects a sensitive ecosystem. Project Owner: City of Surrey. Consultant: Aplin & Martin Consultants Ltd.

RUSKIN DAM AND POWERHOUSE UPGRADE PROJECT When BC Hydro engineers were tasked with performing a seismic risk assessment of the 85-year-old Ruskin Dam (a 59-metre-high concrete gravity dam in Mission, BC), they recognized that conventional methods for seismic analysis of dams often rely on crude approximations of complex phenomena that can lead to conservative estimates of structural response. They worked in collaboration with leading experts such as Dr. Anil Chopra and Dr. Pierre Leger, and the US Bureau of Reclamation concrete testing lab to rigorously advance the state-of-the-art in every aspect of the analysis, including the response of concrete joints and spillway gates; complex dam-foundation-reservoir interaction; effects of canyon topography; and, improved characterization of concrete strength through advanced materials testing. Seismic upgrades are a significant portion of BC Hydro’s capital program to make sure dams are safe while investments are optimized to minimize impacts to rate payers. Participants: Osmar Penner, P.Eng., Brent Bergman, P.Eng., Saman Vazinkhoo, P.Eng., Soheil Razavidarbar, P.Eng.

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