Foundation problem at Whistle Bend care facility 'minor issue' contractor says
'From time to time, frost penetration does happen,' says the district manager for PCL Construction
The company that's building the Whistle Bend extended care facility in Whitehorse says the building's shifting foundation is a "fairly minor issue," and won't affect the timing or budget for the project.
PCL Construction says frost is to blame for the shifting foundation on part of the project. The company halted work on that part of the building just about two weeks ago.
PCL district manager Todd Craigen says work stopped when the ground shifted under two different areas. He said ground frost underneath the concrete caused it to heave about 25 mm.
"From time to time, frost penetration does happen," Craigen said. "We obviously don't want it to happen, and protect against that, but unfortunately sometimes the weather gets past us. And it has happened in the past."
Craigen said the concrete was correctly applied in winter conditions.
"The concrete is always inspected, tested, and heated and hoarded to the design specifications," he explained.
"I don't know exactly right now, because our investigation is ongoing — perhaps the ground cover that we had, or the heating and hoarding wasn't broad enough to stop the frost penetration from getting below the concrete foundations."
Craigen says company engineers examined the site last week, and expect work can continue once the ground warms up.
He said the way to correct the problem is to thaw the ground "and let the frost retract.
"If it's an area that's accessible, we can apply heat to it to help the frost retract. But otherwise, just exposing it to above zero air temperatures will help the frost naturally retract from those areas.
"What we believe, and based on our preliminary assessment, [is that] as the frost retracts, the subsurface ground will assume its original profile," in other words, sink back down.
Craigen wondered why the issue was attracting media attention.
"I would characterize it as a fairly minor issue, a small issue that has maybe garnered more attention than it normally would have, on any other project."
'Frost will never touch those areas again'
Craigen says the heaving won't re-occur because the foundation will ultimately be backfilled, insulated and covered.
"Once the area is backfilled and the rest of the construction proceeds, frost will never touch those areas again."
Craigen says the ground terrain — silt soil conditions — aren't a factor in the heaving, nor is the site's drainage.
He said when PCL did its own geo-technical assessment of the ground conditions before starting the project, there were no concerns about the site's suitability.
He adds the company will deliver the project on time, and on budget.
"At the end of the day, we assure the Yukon government that the project that we will deliver them is to their satisfaction and in line with our contractual obligations."
He said the company's team of engineers would likely have their report on the foundation issue within the next week or so.
The 150-bed facility is expected to open next year.
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