With British Columbia’s building codes for earthquake protection becoming more stringent, seismic upgrade projects are becoming more common to ensure that your project’s structure and foundation meets seismic standards. BelPacific offers a complete package of seismic upgrade services for renovation projects. Our team of trained professionals have decades of experience in local building codes, standards, and systems. Combining that expertise with our wealth of knowledge on soil conditions, construction practices, and more, our team can provide innovative and cost-effective seismic upgrade solutions that will meet our client’s needs and exceed their expectations.
We offer services across all stages of a seismic upgrade project, including seismic strengthening assessments, geotechnical assessments, design options, cost estimates, and project execution. We work with our clients to find a strategy that makes sense for their needs and adds value to their project. BelPacific has specialized tools and equipment that allow us to overcome a variety of technical challenges, including access limitations or underground obstructions. We’re experienced with many proven techniques for seismic upgrades, including:
- Micropiles
- Soil Nails
- Helical Piers
- Tie-Down Anchors
Micropiles
Micropiles (AKA minipiles, DMP’s, pin piles, and root piles) are deep foundation elements that support unstable structures, underpin foundations, and enhance mass stability. The micropiles that BelPacific uses feature steel casings, which are drilled into the ground. Reinforcing steel is then inserted into the casing and filled with grout to provide lateral, compressive, and uplifting loads. When working on smaller foundation projects, or projects with environmental, noise, or vibration concerns, BelPacific uses micro-piles to reinforce and stabilize the structure’s foundations without excessive disruption. Our use of steel casings means that BelPacific’s micro-piles create minimal impact to most ground conditions while providing maximum integrity. Our piling equipment also requires little ground preparation, as we don’t require a piling platform. BelPacific has been providing expert micro-piling services to our clients in Western Canada for decades, and have the experience to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Soil Nails
Soil nails reinforce loose soil to hold the soil in place and create a more solid surface. BelPacific will often use soil nails to stabilize slopes, which protects them from erosion, landslides, and earthquakes. We’ll also use them to create and repair retaining walls, especially for excavation projects where erosion or loose soil may be an issue. BelPacific is well-versed in soil nails and are well equipped to support you on your next project.
Helical Piers
Helical piers are known by many names, including helix anchors, helix piers, helical anchors, screw piles, and helical piles. Regardless of which term you use, helical piers are typically used to support structures against axial loads (compression and tension forces). Like the alternative name, screw piles, suggest, helical piers are self-augering, meaning they will drive themselves into the ground. This is a gentle and vibration-free process and doesn’t require massive equipment to install. That’s why BelPacific typically uses helical piers in tight spaces, when a weak structure can’t handle vibrations, or there are concerns about disrupting the surrounding environment. If these sound like problems you need addressed, contact BelPacific today to learn more about how we could use helical piers on your next project.
Tie-Down Anchors
Like soil nails, tie-down anchors are used to provide lateral support to structures, foundations, and retaining walls. Soil nails are passive, however, whereas tie-down anchors are loaded with tension to provide even more stability. There are two primary categories of tie-downs. Temporary anchors can be easily removed but have a lifespan of only a few years. Permanent anchors last far longer but aren’t removable once installed. On top of seismic and foundation projects, tie-down anchors can also be used in the following settings:
- New Bridge & Building Foundations
- Existing Dam & Spillway Stabilization
- Uplift Resistance for Foundation Slabs Installed Below the Water Table
Our team of experts will work with you to determine the number, style, and required capacity of tie-down anchors that are needed for your loading capacity. All of the anchors we install are designed and fabricated to the highest standards and our team of certified operators use the latest technologies and safe work procedures to efficiently meet the challenges of any project.