single-lane, three-span concrete structure founded on two
pile-supported abutments situated on land, as well as two
pile-supported piers in the water. This project will transform
the bridge into a modern, two-lane structure that allows traffic
to pass efficiently in either direction from both ends of
the bridge.
The general contractor for the project, EXP Global, has
tasked Ontario-based Facca Inc. with replacing the bridge,
relying on Facca’s 60-plus years of experience in heavy civil
construction, as well as its well-deserved reputation as an
industry specialist in bridge and below grade reinforced concrete
structure construction.
In completing this project, Facca teamed up with
American Piledriving Equipment Inc. (APE), a world leader
in research and development, production and sale of foundation
construction equipment. APE produces some of the
world’s largest pile drivers and has offices in every corner
of the U.S., Canada and Asia, with a worldwide distribution
network. The company is renowned for its commitment to
providing outstanding products and service. APE’s dedication
to assisting clients is the key to its success, and has
established the company as being an industry leader in patents
issued worldwide.
“APE has a unique way of doing business in the deep foundation
construction industry,” said Eric “Wiggy” Legault,
Canadian regional manager at APE. “We don’t rely on outside
distributors and instead rent and sell directly to the contractor.
We are boots on the ground at the job site and we assist
our clients with the set up of the equipment they purchase
or rent from us. We get our people out in the field where
they can help, teach and learn. From design to production to
GREAT CANADIAN PROJECTS
installation, APE professionals are involved, and transforming
a good idea into your job site reality is our specialty.”
The new bridge on Highway 569 is being constructed with
a different alignment from the original structure, and that
requires new embankments. This means that additional load
will be applied to the soft, underlying clays that run deep
throughout the region.
“Because of this additional load, the bridge design has
called for wick drains of a maximum depth of 150 feet in the
areas of new embankment construction in order to accelerate
the settlement caused by the embankment loads and – most
importantly – to reduce the effects of down-drag on the piles
at the new structure abutments,” said Steve Gardonio, project
manager at Facca.
When ground pressure is added to the area that a structure
is being built upon, the water underneath will make its way
to surface through seepage and the soils will naturally compress
and settle from the weight that has been mechanically
applied; with the soil matrix gradually taking up the pressure
change and shrinking in volume. This laborious consolidation
of water-saturated clays or soils is a progression that
can take years or even decades to achieve. In the meantime,
this process can potentially delay or stop any future plans
for development in the immediate area until the required
soil density is attained through settlement. However, this is
a progression that can be significantly sped up by installing
Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVD) – or wick drains – in
the ground.
“The use of wick drains will accelerate the time of settlement
from a span of years to mere months, and any damage
to roadways, embankments and structures resulting from the
PILING CANADA 51