LWL carried out a geotechnical investigation for the water hub at the Painted Pony Energy Ltd. facility in the Peace River district, in BC. The facility included 8 containment tanks, containment berms, a containment pond, access roads and soil storage areas. LWL provided geotechnical recommendations for design of these facilities including foundations for the tanks and other structures, pond containment liner and slopes, containment berms, access road structures, etc.

In 2015, LWL was retained by Hendriks Construction Ltd. to carry out a geotechnical investigation for a proposed residential complex in Devon, Alberta. LWL’s scope of work included a review of available data, site reconnaissance, field drilling, laboratory testing, and slope stability analysis. Due to very poor subsurface conditions within the upper 10 m, various foundation systems were considered in order to provide as many feasible options as possible, including screw piles, driven piles, cast in place piles, and mat foundations.

In 2017, LWL provided an underpinning system design for an existing building which had been built on inadequate subgrade conditions. The building had been constructed on soft soil with high groundwater level present. A total of 68 screw piles were installed, from within the basement of the building, to support the primary building foundation . In addition, a dewatering system was designed to lower the groundwater table within the basement to provide suitable conditions for construction of the basement slab. An additional 14 piles were later added to support auxiliary structures around the primary building.

In 2016, LWL was retained by Brazeau County to carry out a geotechnical investigation for a proposed lagoon expansion near Birchwood Village Greens in Brazeau County, Alberta. LWL’s scope of work included a review of available data, site reconnaissance, field drilling, laboratory testing, and recommendations for construction. Once the lagoon expansion was completed, LWL was also retained to install groundwater monitoring wells, in accordance with Alberta Government requirements.

In 2017, LWL completed a design for a temporary shoring system for the installation of a 100 m long segment of the Pembina Pipeline Phase 3 Expansion near Fox Creek, Alberta. The construction of the pipeline had continued into the spring, when the surficial peat deposits started to melt and the open excavations became no longer feasible. The existing wooden shoring systems had failed, and the trenches collapsed and filled with groundwater. A temporary shoring system was urgently required to complete the installation of the pipeline. Although the site was characterized by poor soil conditions, a cantilever sheet pile shoring system using AZ sheet piles was successfully designed and installed using a vibratory hammer to a depth of up to 10 m, allowing rapid construction and installation of the shoring system and pipeline.

In 2015, LWL was retained by Integral Construction Management Inc. to carry out a geotechnical investigation for a proposed child care facility in southwest Edmonton, Alberta. LWL’s scope of work included a review of available data, site reconnaissance, field drilling, laboratory testing, and recommendations for construction. LWL was also retained to provide support during construction of the proposed child care facility, which included field inspections as well as field and laboratory testing.

In 2013 and 2015, LWL was retained by TEGA Property Management Ltd. to assess and design repair measures for damages within the Belle Rive Court condominium complex in northeast Edmonton, Alberta. Damages included settlements and cracking of exterior concrete staircases, failing segmental retaining walls, and drainage run off into driveways and garages. In order to minimize disruption to property and residents, a screw pile system with steel brackets and hydraulic jacks were used to realign and support the staircases. Additional repair measures included design of replacement retaining walls, and grading design to provide proper drainage.

A part of the slope below the access road to Eagle Ridge Estate (TWP 593B) in Woodlands County, Alberta, experienced a slope failure in 2002 and was repaired in 2007. Next to the repaired slope, a new instability was noted in 2009. LWL completed a detailed investigation to locate the depth and the extent of the instability. Based on this data, LWL completed a slope stabilization design which included the removal of the moving soil mass, an installation of a subdrain system to lower the groundwater level, and backfilling with granular material. After completion of the slope stabilization, LWL has been monitoring the performance of the repaired slope using a slope indicator and pneumatic piezometers installed within the repaired slope.

In 2016, LWL completed a geotechnical investigation for the development of a 14,000+ sq. ft. residence within the North Saskatchewan River Valley. Due to slope stability considerations, a cast-in-place pile wall was used along one side of the development to improve slope stability conditions. Over 250 concrete cast-in-place piles were installed for the development.

A 300 m long and up to 3.2 m high segmental retaining wall for the Lowe's store at 153 Avenue and Manning Drive in Edmonton, Alberta was designed by LWL in 2008. The wall was designed using Allan Block AB Stones and features a fence and vehicle guard rail at the top of the wall. While under construction, some sagging of the wall occurred due to locally poor subgrade conditions which were not checked by the builder. The design was revised, and the wall was successfully completed.

The construction of the home at the site necessitated the installation of vertical slope inclinometers, standpipes, and pneumatic piezometers to monitor slope stability conditions, as well as a system of horizontal drains installed into the slope to lower the groundwater table and improve slope stability. LWL is currently carrying out regular monitoring of the instrumentation and drains installed at the site.

Initially, LWL completed a geotechnical investigation at the subject site for the construction of an access road for heavy traffic, as well as geometric design of the road. Additional investigation and design was later undertaken to provide a grading plan for the proposed facility layout, including storm water and wastewater ponds, culverts, and a storm water management study. Design of the ponds had to accommodate storage and the re-use of water for the facility’s internal purposes.

LWL was retained by CCI Solutions Inc. to complete a geotechnical investigation for the Connacher Oil and Gas Ltd. Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) expansion project within the Algar Connacher plant site in Alberta. The investigation included a summary of subsurface conditions within the subject area with delineation of soft, wet, and muskeg areas. Soil parameters for design and recommendations for site preparation, excavations, backfilling, foundations (shallow and deep), skid structures, service road structures, and storm water facilities within the area were provided.

In 2014, LWL was retained by Forbes Bros. Ltd. to provide specifications for transmission tower leg erection, for use across Alberta. In order to maximize utility for field personnel, simplified field tests were provided to quickly classify soils without specialized equipment. In addition, the specifications included field procedures, field documents, and equipment recommendations based on soil classifications.

A slope instability along Westbrook Drive NW in Edmonton, Alberta, which had been active since the 1960’s, has experienced an increased rate of movements in more recent years. A combination of natural and human factors likely contributed to the instability. LWL installed slope indicators and standpipes throughout the area and has been involved with monitoring the active slope instability since 2013.

LWL provided geotechnical support for Suncor's East Tank Farm Development in Alberta, including screw pile designs for a heat exchanger pedestal, piping area, as well as a gravel foundation for a temporary chiller structure. In addition, LWL was retained to assess a lock-block wall supporting a sump maintenance pad. The wall had experienced excessive vertical settlements. It was found that the wall was likely built on high-plastic Clearwater shale, with no subgrade improvement or density testing. Quick lowering of water level in an adjacent pond was a likely contributing factor to the settlements. The drawdown rate was slowed and settlements were monitored. No immediate repairs were required, and the wall remained serviceable.

LWL carried out a geotechnical investigation for the proposed residence at 14308 92A Avenue NW in Edmonton Alberta, which is located along the Mackenzie Ravine. Based on a slope stability analysis, it was determined that additional slope stabilization measures would be required to provide suitable slope stability conditions for the proposed development due to the presence of wet silt deposits at the subject site. LWL provided soil parameters and detailed recommendations for design and lateral analysis of a pile wall structure with a tieback system to improve the slope stability conditions to the required factor of safety and provide safe long-term stability conditions for the development.

In 2015, LWL was retained by the Settlement Repair Company to design a shoring system for the old community center in Beaumont, Alberta. A new community center was being constructed right next to the old community center, and the old one would remain in use until the new one was completed. As such, the footprint of the shoring system needed to be as small as possible while being robust enough to keep the old community center safe for use. The shoring system consisted of timber lagging with steel C channels, anchored with steel bearing plates and steel screw anchors.