On the picturesque east coast of Vancouver Island lies the city of Campbell River, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” and home to a vibrant ecosystem.
However, Vancouver Island is also the most seismically active zone in British Columbia.
Following a six-year assessment of the region’s dams, it was found that significant capital upgrades would be required.
At the John Hart Dam near Campbell River, the government-owned BC Hydro and Power Authority is currently working on an important project: The seismic retrofitting of the John Hart Dam. The scope of work involves upgrading earth stabilizing infrastructure to improve the earthquake resiliency of the existing dam.
The dam is used to generate power at the John Hart Power Plant, protect against floods and provides the City of Campbell River with drinking water. Bauer Foundations Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Bauer Spezialtiefbau GmbH, was tasked with executing the necessary work.
The project is managed by a partnership between Aecon and EBC General (AEGP) and includes constructing a low permeability plastic concrete cut-off wall on the middle earth-fill dam to improve the water barriers and seismic performance of the earth-fill section.
This work was crucial to increase the dam’s earthquake resistance and minimize the risk of floods and other damage to the public.
In addition to the cut-off wall work, Bauer performed soil improvement on the soft sediments to reinforce the north earth-fill dam. Bauer’s construction tasks included installation of the plastic concrete cutoff wall as well as land and marine densification for the new upgraded earth-fill berms.
The major challenge was to minimize the environmental impact to the reservoir, Campbell River and surrounding park during construction, particularly close to the drinking water extraction point in the Campbell River.
The work began in October 2023 and was successfully completed in July 2024. Another phase of soil improvement will follow in 2025.
Innovation meets precision
The modernization of the John Hart Dam involved a variety of technical and logistical challenges.
“As a result, precise planning and the latest equipment were essential for work on Vancouver Island where variable soils and a hard basalt bedrock layer are present,” said Project Manager Jeffrey Pattison.
To complete the job, two Bauer MC 96 duty-cycle cranes were used, one equipped with a DHG V hydraulic grab and one with a BC 48 cutter.
As well, three BE desander systems from Bauer MAT Slurry Handling Systems, and one Bauer BG 30 rotary drill rig was used for this work. The wintry conditions, as well as the limited working space on both earth-fill dams, made work even more difficult. In order to meet these challenges successfully, the project team relied on innovative technologies and digital tools such as B-Tronic and Virtual Site Installer (VSI).
B-Tronic from Bauer
Bauer’s B-Tronic provide a complete system, based on many years of continuous development that goes far beyond the electronic control of a machine.
The system is based on dozens of sensors that are positioned at all critical points in the machine that continuously collect data to monitor and evaluate project progress.
The system supports the operator with process-specific displays on an in-cab touch screen display to ensure they are constantly informed about the status of the machine and provides operations details for efficient use.
As well, B-Tronic automates monotonous and repetitive operations. Automatic control processes increase drilling performance and reduce wear on equipment and drilling tools.
The system is compatible with numerous methods, including Kelly drilling, continuous flight auger, diaphragm wall cutters, hydraulic grab, pile drivers for hammer operation, vibrators for vibratory pile driving and duty-cycle cranes in controlled operation.
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VSI is Bauer’s in-house specialist modelling software for designing site installation concepts and construction processes.
With the software, it’s possible to optimize the planning phase and complete much of the work remotely; offering the clients and site team a virtual pre-planned model of the work, which can be adjusted and refined before a drill rig is mobilized to site.
By using these Bauer technologies, it was possible to monitor work in real time, as well as adapt processes accordingly as needed.
Thanks to the support of the experienced team on site as well as laboratory tests carried out in Germany, the quality of the plastic concrete used for the cut-off wall was optimized.
Environmental milestone
The seismic retrofitting project on the John Hart Dam is a milestone from a technical and ecological standpoint. The extensive works will help to safeguard the regional water supply while minimizing the environmental impact at the same time.
“We are proud to have made an important contribution to safety and sustainability in the region,” Pattison said.
Thanks to the use of advanced digital tools and innovative construction methods, one thing is certain: The dam is optimally equipped for decades to come.
