I am serving as the Structural Lead for the GRT Northshore Soil Reclamation project, a pioneering rock reclamation facility at the Vancouver Pile site in North Vancouver. This facility represents the second of its kind in Canada and is approximately four times larger than GRT’s successful proof-of-concept plant in Nanaimo, BC. The project’s core mission is to promote a circular economy by processing excavated soil from the Lower Mainland, cleaning it, and sorting it into reusable aggregates for landscaping and road construction. My structural engineering contributions were critical to the project’s success, directly supporting GRT’s sustainability goals and a significant reduction in annual carbon emissions by eliminating long-distance hauling.

The facility is located on a congested, operational industrial site governed by the Port of Vancouver, posing unique challenges related to space constraints and existing infrastructure.

Scope of Involvement: Structural Engineering Lead

My role as Structural Lead is multifaceted, spanning the entire project lifecycle from initial schematic design through to construction. I am responsible for all structural design and coordination, ensuring the integrity and functionality of the facility’s key components.

  • Foundation Design: I am leading the design of all major structural foundations, including:

    • Foundations for the proprietary CDE wash plant equipment, which includes screening, dewatering, and scrubbing systems, as well as thickeners and conveyor belts.
    • Foundations for inbound and outbound truck scales and scalehouses.
    • Foundations for the water treatment plant.
    • Liquid-retaining structures, including the concrete base slab and walls for the sludge buffer tank.
    • Support walls for the filter press building and foundations for the truck wheel wash.

  • Structural Coordination & Support:

    • I am serving as the primary technical point of contact for the design of foundation slabs to support material storage and lock-block storage bays.
    • Designing the interior slab-on-grade for the pre-engineered fabric structures.
    • Coordinating with suppliers to incorporate critical structural requirements, such as column height, first wall girt location, and lock-block height, into schematic layouts.
    • Designing foundation slabs for the stacked container control buildings, including anchorage requirements.
    • Designing foundation supports for anchor points for conveyor systems and cranes.

  • Quality Assurance & Permitting:

    • I am the designated Engineer of Record (EOR) for all structural components, overseeing quality assurance and ensuring compliance with the EGBC’s independent structural review requirements.
    • I am responsible for providing the necessary Letters of Assurance for the building permit submission.

Deliverables

My contributions will result in the successful delivery of key structural engineering packages at various project phases:

  • Schematic Design Phase: Produce drawings suitable for the Port Authority’s PER permitting application, including site plans detailing proposed foundation outlines and utility interferences.
  • Detailed Design Phase: Develop comprehensive design packages at the 50% and 100% completion stages, which included drawings and specifications for tendering and building permit submissions.
  • Bid and Construction Phases:
    • Actively engage in the bid process, responding to pre-bid questions and assisting with contractor selection.
    • Perform site visits to observe and ensure general compliance with the design intent.
    • Review contractor shop drawings and submittals, addressed Requests for Information (RFIs), and evaluated progress claims.
    • Provide discipline-specific Letters of Assurance and completed record drawings based on contractor-provided as-built markups.