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Seminar

Cement mixed with soil, cement grout and concrete are being used for a variety of applications in geotechnical engineering that are new to British Columbia. The presentation will review the developments in these new techniques including:

Cement – Modified Soil – This has been developed to improve engineering properties of poor soil strata for building construction. Deep mixing of cement with native soil will improve its bearing characteristics. This technique offers an alternative to other more energy intensive and intrusive soil improvement construction techniques currently used in this area.

Jet-Grouting is a well known soil improvement technique able to create in the subsoil consolidated elements with different shapes and dimensions with good mechanical characteristics and reduced permeability. The technique involves eroding and mixing the in situ soil with water cement grout. The grout mix is jetted, with the aid of special tools, at very high speeds (800-900 km/hrs) created by high pressures (7,000 to 9,000 psi).  Jet-Grouting was introduced in British Columbia as permanent technique in October 2004, and since then several applications for soil improvement, temporary and permanent, have been carried out in the Lower Mainland.

Diaphragm Wall (Slurry Wall)  is a reinforced concrete, cast in situ, underground wall, excavated from the surface with the aid of stabilizing fluid (generally polymers or bentonite mud).The technique employs a series of wall elements that are constructed in a sequence of short, full depth elements interconnected to form a continuous underground structure. Diaphragm wall can be built to a depth of 30 – 40 meters or more depending on the site soil characteristics. It is typically 0.5 to 1.5 m width and is normally used as a permanent wall for underground structures.

Instructors

Paolo Gazzarrini P.Eng. is a Civil Engineer (MASc), who graduated from the Milan (Italy) Polytechnic and has over twenty years' experience in geotechnical techniques application. His experience varies from geotechnical contracting to engineering. He was involved in foundation projects for major hydroelectric dams in Iraq (Mosul Dam), Colombia (Guavio), Argentina (Piedra del Aguila), Tunisia and Cyprus. He has experience in foundation techniques, tunneling consolidation, diaphragm wall and jet-grouting in Italy, France, Morocco and British Columbia. Currently he is a grouting/foundation consultant based in BC and is also consulted for overseas projects.

Andy Vizer P.Eng. is the Director of Engineering with the Cement Association of Canada. He has been involved with the Association for the past 27 years and previously was the Regional Structural Engineer. Most recenlty, he was the Director of Engineering. Andy has gained experience with a wide range of concrete and cement applications, including structures, pavements, materials, construction techniques, and sustainable design. He has been involved with the VSEG/UBC Certificate in Structural Engineering continuous education program as a lecturer and coordinator for the past five years. Andy is a former ACI BC Chapter director, former Chair of the VSEG Society and a CSCE Fellow.

Gregory E. Halsted P.E. is the Program Manager with the Portland Cement Association. He is responsible for the design, construction, technical services, assistance and promotion of soil-cement products in the United States and Canada. His experience includes work with design and construction of roads, embankments and a variety of paving structures in the US.

APEGBC is an AIBC/CES registered provider offering an AIBC-Accredited activity for 3.75 Core Learning Units.

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