2025 Geotechnical Value-Add for Underground Construction Workshop

All attendees are invited to a catered breakfast, included with registration.

Dr. Alireza Bayat will provide a workshop overview and welcome attendees and speakers for the day.

Understanding the geological conditions is the starting point and foundation for any successful underground construction project. This presentation will provide an overview of a wide range of geological conditions that are commonly encountered in underground construction and provide key considerations applicable to planning your next geotechnical investigation. Case histories will be shared that illustrate the concepts that will be discussed.

Jeremy Groves has over 15 years of experience in geotechnical engineering for oil and gas pipeline and facility development through Canada and the United States. He completed a Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia where he acquired specialized skills in advanced soil mechanics, geotechnical earthquake engineering, and advanced soil-pipe interaction research. He specializes at BGC in geotechnical hazard assessments and strain-based analysis for pipelines, pipeline routing assessments and terrain geohazard identification, HDD feasibility and risk assessments, geotechnical investigative drilling, and in-situ geotechnical instrumentation installations.

This presentation explores the application of Horizontal Investigation as an innovative approach to ground characterization. By utilizing Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), this method enables continuous subsurface profiling along extended distances, providing valuable geotechnical data with minimal surface disruption. It enhances the ability to assess soil and rock conditions efficiently, supporting infrastructure design, risk assessment, and construction planning.

Dr. Ali Bayat is a Professor and Ralph Haas/Stantec Fellow in Civil Engineering at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. He also serves as the Director of the Canadian Underground Infrastructure Innovation Centre (CUIIC), where he leads a team of experts in developing cutting-edge technologies to improve the efficiency and safety of underground construction. His contributions to the field have been recognized with the prestigious National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Industrial Research Chair in Underground Trenchless Construction. He has developed BoreAid, design software platforms widely used across the globe. Dr. Bayat’s extensive research, evidenced by over 200 published papers, has made significant contributions to civil engineering knowledge.

Grab a coffee and network with attendees.

Trenchless technology offers innovative solutions for installing pipelines and utilities without extensive surface disruption. This presentation explores the application of trenchless techniques in problematic soils, which pose significant challenges due to swelling, running and raveling ground behavior, shallow groundwater levels and highly variable geology. Key methods such as horizontal directional drilling (HDD), Direct Steerable Pipe Thrusting (DSPT), microtunneling, auger boring and pipe ramming will be discussed, highlighting their advantages and limitations in different soil conditions. Case studies will illustrate successful implementations, demonstrating how these techniques can mitigate risk, reduce project timelines, and minimize environmental impact. Attendees will gain insights into the latest advancements in trenchless technology, best practices for geotechnical assessment, and strategies for trenchless method selection. By understanding the capabilities and constraints of trenchless methods, engineers and project managers can make informed decisions to ensure the success of their underground infrastructure projects in problematic soil conditions.

Carrie is a geotechnical trenchless leader specializing in feasibility and risk assessment, design and construction of complex crossings using horizontal directional drilling (HDD), direct steerable pipe thrusting (DSPT), microtunneling, pipe jacking, auger bore and pipe ramming methods. Carrie was a contributor to the Trenchless Techniques chapter for Pipeline Geohazards published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 2019. Carrie is responsible for driving quality and innovation for the Canadian geotechnical practice in Stantec. Her trenchless portfolio includes preparation of geotechnical assessments and engineering deliverables such as drawings and calculations, risk analysis, providing construction oversight of trenchless construction and producing publications addressing geotechnical aspects of trenchless design and construction having completed hundreds of trenchless crossing projects.

Joel Pineau is a Principal Geotechnical Engineer, and Team Leader for our Geotechnical group in Burnaby, BC. He has over 20 years of experience in geotechnical engineering including supervision and coordination of subsurface investigations, laboratory testing, geotechnical foundation design, construction monitoring, and instrumentation systems. As a Project Engineer and Project Manager, he is responsible for developing and implementing project plans and contracts, supervising all phases of project delivery, and overseeing and training junior engineers and field personnel. Joel also has extensive experience in slope stability and remediation, instrumentation, trenchless crossings, and dam safety, including the of industry accepted software programs, guidelines, and regulations for projects in British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and the southern United States.

One of the primary purposes of HDDs is to avoid challenging construction conditions at surface, including those presented by geohazards such as landslides and rivers. Unfortunately geohazards are not always identified or properly characterized, resulting in HDDs which interact with geohazards. This talk discusses why HDDs make pipelines significantly more vulnerable to landslide movement, promotes proper identification and characterization of geohazards and provides experience with how geohazard risk to existing HDDs is being managed.

Joel Van Hove, M.Eng., P.Eng., is a Senior Geotechnical Engineer at BGC Engineering and is the team lead for the Pipeline Sector. Joel has 15 years of experience managing geohazard risk to pipelines. He specializes in landslide characterization and assessment and has published papers on many topics including landslide inventory methods, the vulnerability of horizontally drilled pipelines to landslides, bending strain analysis using inertial measurement unit data and landslide velocity based models for estimating pipeline risk.

Seismic performance of underground infrastructure is critical to both immediate emergency response and post-seismic recovery. This presentation will include an overview of seismic performance objectives for underground infrastructure and geotechnical seismic analysis methodologies.

Paul Wilson is a Principal with Thurber Engineering’s Vancouver office and has over 20 years of experience on major projects in BC. This includes the Trans Mountain Pipeline Spread 5B, LNG Canada Plant Site, G3 Grain Export Terminal, BC Place Roof Replacement, Richmond Speed Skating Oval, Sea-to-Sky Highway, Gordie Howe Detroit Windsor Bridge, Port Mann / Highway 1, Evergreen Skytrain Line, Highway 91/17 Interchange and the Kicking Horse Canyon Phase 4.

Paul is actively involved in design guideline and code development including Section 6 of the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC) and EGBC Guidelines for school retrofits, site response analysis and seismic design of dikes.

Enjoy a catered lunch, included with registration.

This presentation, “The Right Tool for the Job,” provides a comprehensive review of various trenchless installation methods used in underground construction. The session aims to educate attendees on the strengths and limitations of each method, emphasizing the importance of selecting the appropriate technique for specific project conditions. The discussion delves into the operational principles, suitable geotechnical conditions, achievable diameters, and maximum drive lengths of different trenchless methods. By examining these factors, the presentation highlights how each method can be effectively applied to various project scenarios.

By the end of the presentation, participants will gain a clear understanding of the various trenchless technologies available and the criteria for selecting the most suitable method for their projects.

Mr. Goerz specializes in geotechnical engineering has over 12 years of directly related experience in projects related to trenchless pipeline construction, geotechnical investigation and assessment for pipeline and trenchless design, geotechnics for tunnel/microtunnel design as well as geohazard assessment for linear infrastructure projects.

The Site C Clean Energy Project is located in northeast British Columbia, Canada. The 1100 MW hydroelectric project includes two diversion tunnels 700 m and 792 m long, excavated to nominal 12 m diameter. Final, concrete-lined diameter is 10.8 m. Host rock is a horizontally bedded weak clay shale classes as ISRM R1 to R2. Despite the weak rock mass classification, the construction of a fully instrumented 11-m diameter Test Chamber at the location of the diversion tunnels demonstrated the ground behaviour was essentially elastic, recording a few millimetres of convergence. That experience was factored into the layout of the diversion tunnels and the design of the support system. The tunnel support system of tensioned rock bolts and fibre-reinforced shotcrete with steel sets at the portals performed well during excavation. Since Site C reservoir filling began in August 2024, the upstream gates for the tunnels have been permanently closed with the remaining construction tasks being backfilling the tunnels and constructing the tunnel plugs.

This presentation will provide an overview of the project site geology, historical investigation specifically related to the tunnels, the tunnel design and construction and performance after construction.

Ann is a senior geotechnical engineer with Klohn Crippen Berger with 16 years of experience in geotechnical design, project management, project engineering and coordination, construction support, risk analyses and design scheduling in civil and mining infrastructures projects. She has been on the Site C project since 2008, first as the design engineer for all the underground workings across the site, and recently as the deputy area manager for the Main Civil Works engineering design team.

Underground infrastructure generally requires excavations to facilitate construction. This presentation is intended to explain the different types of excavations and shoring techniques commonly available, their applicability to certain ground conditions and the inherent trade-offs between them. Cost and risk is discussed, aiming to provide key insights whether you are an owner, contractor or consultant.

Mr. Sims has 16 years of experience in the field of geotechnical engineering. Originally from New Zealand, he has developed geotechnical experience across a wide range of topics including the design of excavations and temporary shoring throughout his career. He has been involved in a number of large local projects utilizing shoring techniques including anchored shotcrete, compression ring, piles and lagging, secant piles and sheet piles and pre-engineered systems.

Grab a coffee and network with attendees.

Geotechnical instrumentation is a vital component to the success of any investigation and construction project. Instrumentation specialists work with geotechnical, materials, and environmental engineers to measure and monitor a variety of soil and groundwater conditions. This includes soil deformation on slopes, anchor loads, groundwater levels, water quality, temperatures, and strain in structures. The information helps engineers understand site conditions accurately to mitigate risks on, above, or below the ground during the design, construction, and post-construction phases.

A variety of instruments and data collection systems are available to meet the specific needs of a site, whether it be in a busy urban environment or off-grid at a remote site. Automated data collection systems can also be equipped with telemetry to allow remote access to the data, thereby reducing the number of site visits. This presentation provides information about some of these instruments and field applications.

Mr. Mills completed his B.Sc. in Civil Engineering and an M.Eng. degree in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Alberta. He is based in Edmonton, Alberta and works at Thurber Engineering Ltd. (Thurber). He has served Thurber in various roles since joining the firm in 1998. He is currently a Senior Associate of the company and specializes in geotechnical instrumentation assignments across western Canada.

Rob has experience in geotechnical investigations and the design, construction, and testing of deep foundations for commercial and infrastructure developments in Alberta and BC. He is also actively involved in planning the installation of geotechnical instrumentation for various monitoring applications, including the installation of surface data logger equipment with remote access capabilities.

Hayley Croteau, P.Eng., is the Western Canada Regional Director at GEOKON. She is based in Metro Vancouver, and is a Professional Engineer (registered in BC) with a B.A.Sc. in Geological Engineering from the University of British Columbia. She worked for AMEC Infrastructure and Environment in Northern BC as a geotechnical engineer for five years after graduation, gaining a wide variety of experience across different applications, industries and geographies. She has spent the past thirteen years working for geotechnical instrumentation manufacturers, helping engineers define and optimize their instrumentation and monitoring systems, leveraging her field and application experience from her consulting role. She has been involved in instrumentation programs across the globe in industries ranging from infrastructure to mining, oil and gas, renewable energy and hydroelectric dams and enjoys working to define the best solution for each project’s needs.

This presentation explores the use of jet grouting for ground improvement for trenchless and tunneling projects. We will provide a brief overview of multiple ground improvement options and look at when jet grouting may be best employed over other options. The presentation will describe the technical aspects of jet grouting and typical applications, including but not limited to cut off walls, seismic upgrades, shoring, shaft construction, bottom slabs, mass ground improvement. In particular we 2 case studies will be reviewed where grouting has been used for ground improvement on tunneling and trenchless projects in Western Canada. The Evergreen Line Skytrain project utilized jet grouting to provide safe havens along its near 2km run in heterogenous soils. The trenchless crossing for Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion and South West Edmonton Connector both utilized a modified application of jet grouting to assist in the successful crossing. Furthermore the approach to planning for this ground improvement will be explored, to provide insight on how it may be applied in the future.

Rob is a construction professional specializing in deep foundations at Matcon, where he leads all grouting operations. Started his journey in Ireland at University College Cork where he graduated with a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering. Worked in civil construction before emigrating to Canada. Found a home at Matcon where he had the great fortune of working with a local expert Paolo Gazzarini on 3 large grouting projects from 2010-2012, the highlight being the Interim Seismic Upgrade at John Hart Dam. This ignited a passion for jet grouting. Over the past 15 years Rob has completed jet grouting for variety of applications across multiple industries. Not just a grouter he works with Cased Secant Piles, CIP’s, Micropiling, Shotcrete & Tie Back Anchors and other shoring techniques. Services are offered Canada wide. Currently living in Innisfil, Ontario with his wife Audrey.

Take part in the live interactive quiz and see how your answers rank amongst the other attendees.