Selected Technique:
Vertical Drains


Project:
1800 of Vertical Drains


Project Depth:
14-20m


Calgary Safelink Partners, a Joint Venture between Carmacks Enterprises Ltd., Graham Infrastructure LP, and VINCI Infrastructure Canada, was building a portion of the West Calgary Ring Road from Highway 8 to Old Banff Coach Road. The construction activity consisted of approximately five kilometres of a new six- and eight-lane divided freeway, plus additional basic and auxiliary lanes, and includes systems interchange at Stoney Trail and Highway 8 and a partial service interchange at Stoney Trail and 17th Avenue SW. Menard Canada was tasked with installing Wick drains in areas under both abutments of a bridge included in these interchange systems.

Ground Conditions

The general stratigraphy of the soil at the project consisted of:

  • Very soft to very stiff, moist Clay 1.7m deep
  • Soft to very stiff, moist to wet Clay and Silt to depths of 1.6 to 13.7m
  • Stiff to very stiff, moist clay till extending down to bedrock

The groundwater table was observed below 8.3m

Menard Canada Solution

Vertical Drains are prefabricated drains that accelerate the consolidation in fine-grained soils to expedite the construction and duration of the preloading and limit the long-term settlement of highly compressible upper clay, silty clay, and organic materials. This project was a method specification where the engineer defined the anchorage depth and the spacing for the installation of the Wick Drains.

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