Featured Projects - Engineering Consulting Services
| |
In 2017 Brunswick Engineering had the incredible opportunity to fly our UAV's to assist in collecting crucial data during the Oroville Dam Crisis in California. Read more about our involvement in this large scale international project below!
Brunswick Engineering was retained by Bell Mobility to conduct several geotechnical investigations at various sites throughout New Brunswick. The purpose of these investigations was to determine the soil, bedrock and groundwater conditions at the proposed tower and guy wire anchor locations. The undertaking consisted of advancing boreholes at pre-determined locations using a track mounted CME55 or larger geotechnical drill. The soils were continuously sampled, logged and stored for further inspection and testing at our laboratory. Bedrock, if encountered near surface, was cored a minimum of three metres to confirm consistency and competency.
All samples were then taken to our laboratory and tested for soil resistivity, grading analysis, moisture content and visual observations. Bedrock samples were examined and classified, with representative sections being tested for unconfined compressive strength. The data was then used to complete the geotechnical report which consisted of findings, factual information about site conditions and geotechnical design parameters and construction considerations. All work was completed as per the Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual and the Canadian Standards Association for Antennas, Towers and Antenna-Supporting Structures.
Services provided:
- Geotechnical Investigation
- Material Testing
- Geotechnical Design & Construction Recommendations
The Province of New Brunswick's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (NBDTI) had aging infrastructure and as such had began upgrade and rehabilitation projects. Teaming up will Hillcon Limited, a structural engineering consultant, we have completed several of these projects. With the work ranging from rebuilds to rehabilitation of the bridge deck and superstructure.
Brunswick Engineering's scope of work varied from topographic surveys, geotechnical investigations, chloride ion investigations, ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys of the concrete and rebar and aerial inspection using our Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The data collected was used to design foundations for new and/or complete rebuild bridges and for rehabilitation a depth of removal of the existing concrete. GPR surveys were used to identify areas of delamination in the concrete associated with the corrosion of the rebar, map the size and location of rebar and to determine asphalt and concrete thicknesses.
Services provided:
- Condition Surveys
- Topographic Surveys
- Ground Penetrating Radar
- UAV Surveys and Inspection
Lindsay Construction was the General Contractor retained by Shannex to build four new building at the new Shannex Parkland in Saint John and two new buildings at the Fredericton Parkland expansion. To aid in the construction, Lindsay Construction retained Brunswick Engineering to provide survey layout of the footings, foundation walls, foundation piers, elevator shafts, and pre-fabricated wall panels.
During the placement of the concrete footings, walls and slabs, our capable CSA certified field technicians obtained samples to test for plastic properties of the concrete and created cylinders to be used for compressive strengths. As the project spanned several years, Brunswick Engineering's diverse team of experts were relied upon to review winter work plans and field conditions related to install foundations and concrete below freezing temperatures and make recommendations to ensure the structures were not compromised.
Services provided:
- Building Foundation & Wall Panel Survey Layout
- Concrete Testing
- Engineering Consultation
Brunswick Engineering was retained by Barsa Ventures to provide engineering services related to the re-zoning application for two individual properties along Bayside Drive in Saint John. Our scope of work included a preliminary stormwater management and erosion and control plans for both sites, along with providing conceptual grading plans and sequence of operations for site development and aggregate extraction.
Several studies were also completed which include: Blast Design and Analysis, Hydrological Study, Noise and Fugitive Dust Emission Study. The blast design helped determine the size, direction and location of the blasts to prevent vibrations and over-pressures from affecting neighboring properties. The Hydrological Study was completed in partnership with Doug Craig at Craig Hydrogeological to verify that operations would not negatively impact existing groundwater levels and quality. The noise and fugitive dust study looked at predominate wind directions, as well as operational controls to help minimize sound levels during aggregate extraction and production and dust emissions.
Services provided:
- Preliminary Stormwater Management Plan
- Operational Planning
- Preliminary Environmental Control Plan
- Noise and Dust Emission Study
- Hydrological Study
Brunswick Engineering was retained by Midi Construction to provide Environmental Remediation Services. During construction, a truck overturned while dumping fill along a narrow embankment and diesel fuel leaked into a nearby ditch. The affected ditch flowed parallel to the embankment for approximately 40 metres and discharged into a natural channel which meandered down a heavily vegetated hill and discharged to the Kennebecasis River.
Brunswick Engineering staff expeditiously responded to the site and managed the heavy equipment activities and personnel responding to the spill. A sump and several check dams were constructed at key locations in order to contain and capture the free product All impacted soil was then excavated with samples being collected to confirm absence of impacted soils on the finished excavated surface. The exposed soils were then stabilized using coarse rock and hay mulch to prevent erosion before the natural vegetation could become established. Brunswick Engineering completed closure reports that were submitted to the Insurance Company and Department of Environment and Local Government so that the file could be closed.
Services provided:
- Emergency Spill Response Consultation and Supervision
- Government Liaison and Reporting
- Environmental Sampling
Brunswick Engineering was retained by the Town of Quispamsis to assist in the identification of possible impacted soils encountered during the re-alignment and rehabilitation of French Village Road. Our staff met with Town representatives on site and collected samples for analysis to determine if the soils were impacted, and to establish the severity and limits of the contamination. Samples were rushed to the laboratory for analysis to help minimize the amount of time the contractor was on stand-by.
The sample analysis indicated that the soils were impacted with different petroleum hydrocarbons of various concentrations and ages. The results were compared to the Provincial Guidelines and resulted in adjustments to the work plan to handle and manage the impacted soils on site in lieu of transporting the impacted soils to a certified disposal site. Measures including profile adjustment to decrease cut sections were used to eliminate the need for off-site disposal. In one segment of the project, impacted soils were encountered where the detected concentrations were above guidelines and the contaminant encountered was considered high risk for migration if disturbed. Non-traditional. cost effective approaches of overlays and non-disturbances are being implemented to minimize risk.
Services provided:
- Environmental Sampling
- Pavement Rehabilitation Recommendation
- Testing & Reporting
Brunswick Engineering was retained by Fundy Funeral Homes to provide engineering services related to their requirement for additional parking spaces at their facility located on Westmorland Road in Saint John. With the limited space available for expansion and a conservative budget, we designed a functional parking lot which was located in an existing green space. The design was based on the City of Saint John zoning by-law regulations and requirements while using sound engineering design to address end-user needs of appropriately sized and accessible parking spaces for all ages and demographics.
Based on past experience, it was determined that the parking area expansion grades would be limited to a maximum of 4% and a minimum of 1% in any direction for both ease of access for patrons, as well as asphalt constructibility and longevity. As this project was considered a commercial project, a stormwater management plan was completed to ensure a net-zero increase in stormwater runoff to negate downstream stormwater related issues. To satisfy the City's requirements for stormwater, oversized culverts and inlet control devices were designed and constructed in conjunction with a series of underground rock retention structures. These features eliminated the need for ponds and other structures that have large land demands and higher costs. The test pits we completed on-site allowed the parking lot pavement structure design to account for bedrock within several feet of the ground surface. Combined with anticipated traffic being mostly passenger vehicles, the overall asphalt thickness to be reduced by 25mm (or 25%) and reduced construction costs as a result.
Services provided:
- Topographic Survey
- Site Design
- Traffic Flow Analysis
- Stormwater Management Plan
- Construction Drawings
Brunswick Engineering was retained by Atlantic Potash to complete a preliminary geotechnical investigation at the site of the Proposed $350 million Fertilizer Plant. The purpose of the investigation was to determine soil conditions throughout the parcel of land that had been tentatively secured for this facility. More specifically, the investigation was to help identify possible foundation types for the different units in the plant and to help site warehouses and buildings.
Our investigation revealed a variety of soil conditions and geological strata with steep sloping bedrock, and deep marine deposits and a high groundwater table. This information was used to help locate sensitive units/equipment and high load or dynamic load equipment in areas where bedrock was near surface and warehouses and lightly loaded structures in areas with deeper deposits. The rationale was to minimize the length and spacing of steel piling which would be required for high loads and sensitive equipment and units and place lighter loaded structures that would require less piles. The findings of the Geotechnical Investigation and Geotechnical Report were then used by AMEC to help compliment their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which was necessary for the project to move forward.
Services provided:
- Geotechnical Investigation
- Site Layout and Preliminary Foundation Requirements
- Preliminary Geotechnical Recommendations and Design Parameters
As part of ongoing development, Brunswick Engineering was contracted to continue the engineering design of the Kingsview Subdivision in Quispamsis, NB. As part of Phase 17, work included an extension to the existing Kingsway Drive and construction of two new cul-de-sacs at Bogswell Court and Dover Court. Our scope of work included a topographic survey, intrusive survey of all existing manholes and culverts, confirming capacities of the existing infrastructure, vertical and horizontal alignments of the roads complete with ditches and culverts, lot grading plans and a stormwater management plan which includes a stormwater detention pond. All design works was completed using the Town of Quispamsis Subdivision By-Law requirements and guidelines.
During construction, our trained field staff made regular site visits to inspect and monitor the progress of the work to ensure construction was being carried out as per the design and to help identify possible issues proactively. Upon completion of the new municipal infrastructure, we supervised the pressure testing and videoing of all new piping. All granular and asphalt materials used on the project were tested in the Brunswick Engineering lab for physical property conformance prior to being placed on the project. Compaction and placed properties were also tested to ensure compliance with the Town's requirements to ensure a high quality product that will meet or exceed the desired life cycle for a road.
Services provided:
- Topographic Survey
- Municipal Services Design
- Roadway Horizontal and Vertical Alignment
- Stormwater Management Plan
- Construction Inspection & Testing
Brunswick Engineering was retained by Langard Ltd. to provide engineering design services for a new, fully serviced, subdivision near Kennebecasis Valley High School in Quispamsis, NB. The new Master Enterprises Subdivision lot layout provides fourty-four residential building lots and two commercial multi-unit lots while connecting Swanton drive to Millican drive with a 500m long roadway.
Our scope of involvement included field work in the form of a topographic survey, intrusive survey of all existing manholes and culverts and capacities and investigation of existing infrastructure condition for replacement purposes. Our design work included vertical alignments of the roads complete with curb and gutter and ditched sections, lot grading and stormwater management plan which includes a stormwater retention pond. All design works were completed using sound engineering design principles, industry standards and the Town of Quispamsis Subdivision By-Law requirements and guidelines.
Services provided:
- Topographic Survey
- Municipal Services Design
- Lot Grading
- Roadway Vertical Alignment Stormwater Management Plan
McAllister Place is one of the oldest shopping centres in Saint John and as such has undergone many expansions and additions throughout the years to satisfy the requirements of their tenants. Some of the challenges with such an old facility are that the location of buried utilities and infrastructure is not always known or easily determined given that most as-built drawings have been lost or misplaced, and that some infrastructure does not have markers or manholes to help locate the service. With this site in particular there can be older and new services ranging from telecommunications, power supply, municipal water, sanitary and storm sewer, natural gas, and private power supply lines.
To aid in mapping the McAllister Place site, we have obtained all available as-built drawings from the different utility companies and complemented these by conducting an intrusive survey of the existing manholes on-site and adjacent to the site. With this information, base maps were generated showing approximate locations of all known buried infrastructure. These maps were then complemented using our Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) which was used to map the entire site property. Our GPR was connected to our GPS which made all data collected geo-referenced, allowing for easy integration into AutoCAD. The GPR data was then analyzed and the buried pipes, tanks, manholes and lines were marked and identified on the base map. In some locations the GPR data showed that previous as-built drawings were inaccurate by up to several metres in horizontal and/or vertical alignment. The GPR data also revealed areas with unknown buried anomalies that have been associated with old concrete foundations for cart corrals. All of this data was used to create an overall accurate.
Services provided:
- Intrusive Infrastructure Surveys
- As-Built Drawing Review
- Topographic Survey
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Survey
As part of McAllister Place's contractual obligations to it's tenants, a minimum number of parking stalls is required to be available on site at all times. With the extensions in recent years, parking stalls have been lost without being re-established. In order to meet the minimum parking stall requirement, Brunswick Engineering was retained to review the existing parking and make recommendations.
Our findings found that the site had substantial less parking available then was originally thought and that a parking lot expansion was in order. With the site currently being bound by public roads on three sides and the fourth side having a large portion designated a regulated wetland, the only logical locations would be the northeast corner of the site which was at the time a landscaped hill. A geotechnical investigation was completed to better understand the cost implications of such an expansion. With favorable soil conditions our senior municipal staff proceeded with a site grading plan and stormwater management plan. The stormwater plan required a contained underground storage as space was limited and the storage would be on a sloping parking lot, with existing infrastructure down gradient. The stormwater storage used oversized concrete pipe with reducers and inlet control devices to help retain water and meet the City's stormwater management requirements. All design, tender drawings and documents, City approvals, contract administration, material testing, construction supervision and project management was completed by Brunswick Engineering's staff.
Services provided:
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Stormwater Management Plan
- Traffic Flow Analysis
- Pavement Structure Design
- Contract Administration
- Tendering
- Project Management
- Material Testing & Construction Inspection
Brunswick Engineering was retained to proved engineering design review services for a parking lot expansion project in Saint John, NB. With the limited space available for additional parking in the existing lot, the owner expansion and a conservative budget, we designed a functional parking lot which was located in an existing green space. The design was based on the City of Saint John zoning by-law regulations and requirements while using sound engineering design to address end-user needs of appropriately sized and accessible parking spaces for all ages and demographics. Based on past experience, it was determined that the parking area expansion grades would be limited to a maximum of 4% and a minimum of 1% in any direction for both ease of access for patrons, as well as asphalt constructibility and longevity.
As this project was considered a commercial project, a stormwater management plan was completed to ensure a net-zero increase in stormwater runoff to negate downstream stormwater related issues. To satisfy the City's requirements for stormwater, oversized culverts and inlet control devices were designed and constructed in conjunction with a series of underground rock retention structures. These features eliminated the need for ponds and other structures that have large land demands and higher costs. The test pits we completed on-site allowed the parking lot pavement structure design to account for bedrock within several feet of the ground surface. Combined with anticipated traffic being mostly passenger vehicles, the overall asphalt thickness to be reduced by 25mm (or 25%) and reduced construction costs as a result.
Services provided:
- Topographic Survey
- Site Design
- Traffic Flow Analysis
- Stormwater Management Plan
- Construction Drawings
In order to ensure that the side slopes of a new stormwater retention pond were stable during construction, Brunswick Engineering installed installed two Measurand Shape Acell Arrays (SAA) Slope Monitors with remote accessibility, to allow for continuous uninterrupted data collection. The remote access allowed information to be downloaded with real-time information and a call out alert should one of the slope monitors measure a movement exceeding a set amount.
To compliment the slope monitors, vibrating wire piezometers were installed to measure variations in the pore water pressure that could be associated with ground movement. Upon completion of the pond, the slope monitors remained in-place to monitor the slopes through the first year seasons to ensure there were no unexpected movements or slope failures.
Services provided:
- Full time remote accessed slope monitoring
On a continuing basis, Brunswick Engineering administers and manages the McAllister Place Yearly Asphalt Rehabilitation Program. With over 120,000 square meters (30,000 tonnes) of asphalt to manage, a clear and affective management plan is of the utmost importance to maintain a high level of quality in the asphalt for the longest possible time. Given the site's poor subgrade soils, age of the asphalt in some areas of the parking lot, unsuitable asphalt mixes supplied and placed in the past, we have identified the predominant modes of failure for the asphalt and the main problems associated with the overall pavement structure throughout the site. After identifying the above problems and concerns, we established design guidelines specific to this site and created specifications tailored to address the soil conditions, traffic loadings, and asphalt mix requirements.
The asphalt rehabilitation plan involves several stages, with the first being a pavement structure rebuild and re-pave using the new guidelines and specifications. The second stage is to complete regular crack sealing on cold joints and cracks that have appeared, making repairs before the cracks spread and lead to more complicated problems. The third stage is surface rehabilitation which is completed 8 to 10 years after the initial asphalt paving, which is used to rejuvenate the traveling surface, improving the skid resistance and decreasing the permeability of the surface of the asphalt.
Services provided:
- Traffic Flow Analysis
- Pavement Structure Design
- Contract Administration
- Tendering Project Management
- Material Testing & Construction Inspection
