Vibro Replacement Stone Columns densification was required beneath the new building in order to prevent settlement caused by soil liquefaction in the event of an earthquake.

Menard Canada utilized dry-bottom-feed stone column installation techniques, which was the preferred method of the General Contractor. Stone columns were installed to 15m depth on a regular grid pattern to meet the specified CPT tip resistance performance-based requirements.

Densification work began with an initial trial area consisting of 20 stone columns to assess the effectiveness of the proposed methods and stone column spacing. Production work applied similar methodologies to those proven successful in the trial area.

Special precautions were implemented to avoid distress to an existing jet fuel line located within 2m of densification limits. Menard Canada first pre-bored and cased the upper 3m of the nearest stone columns and coordinated with the Engineer who monitored vibration, settlement and pressure of the fuel line during stone column installation.