Reaction’s scope of service extends throughout Canada with projects being done in the Northern Territories and throughout Canadas various provinces.
One of our projects in the NWT was the piling foundation for a large welcome sign. The client required a pile foundation that would extend high enough in the air to provide visibility while maintaining the stability of the sign.
While the vertical loading on the sign was minimal, the large area of the sign and the height it was above the ground created large wind loading that needed to be resisted by the foundation. Reaction engineers worked at designing a pile of adequate install depth and diameter to support the sign, and due to the exposure of the sign and piles also opted for a galvanized design. Reaction installation crews were required to install all piles within extremely tight tolerances as the flat sign was already built and couldn’t be bent to connect to each of the supports. The experience and attention to detail of the installation crew helped this project progress successfully and allow for a seamless sign installation.
Reaction has extensive experience in the renewable energy market providing foundations for a wide variety of structures from solar panels to substations. This project highlights the work Reaction completed with EPCOR and ATCO to provide a substation foundation.
Reaction provided a range of pile sizes and custom pile cap adapters to allow for a precision installation on the overlying structure. Adhering to the high safety standards set forth in Reactions company policies as well as the stringent safety requirements on substations meant Reaction was well equipped to complete the work on site in a safe manner.
As this was an expansion to an existing substation, power shut offs and schedules were extremely tight and required that Reaction was prepared for the project from fabrication to on-site installation. Through careful planning Reaction was able to complete the pile installation ahead of the deadlines set forth by the client while staying under budget.
Reaction has installed thousands of piles for various modular projects including work camps, mobile homes, and school portables.
Copperhaven School (K-9) was expanding its school footprint to house the increasing student population and required a product to support the portables. Reaction worked with the client to provide a screw pile design that would support the loading, allow for adequate support for closely spaced portable units, and mitigate corrosion on the screw piles for years to come.
This project included the installation of galvanized piles based on the project lifespan requirements and the geotechnical report information. Reaction performed a winter installation and used pre-drilling where necessary to penetrate the frost in the soil. Using a combination of battered and vertical piles, and flat cap and beam connections, Reaction was able to provide the client with a solid foundation ahead of schedule and under budget.
The piling scope of a project can vary drastically from job to job and this project showcases how Reaction utilized extremely careful installation techniques and design approaches to complete the unique installation of several Storm Outfalls for The City of St. Albert.
Reaction was posed a problem requiring the installation of piles into a deep excavation. The soil conditions in this region required a deep foundation including piles with multiple welded extensions to achieve capacity requirements. Working with the client, Reaction was able to come up with a screw pile design that would support the loads while maintaining the constructability that is required for our operators to perform a safe and efficient installation.
Communication is key in every project, and each project requires communication in a variety of ways. In order to maintain constant communication between the swamper and the operator in this project with limited visibility, Reaction utilized additional spotters to instruct the operator on a safe installation. The Reaction operator assigned to this project was able to make fine tuned adjustments to the pile installation while staying safely placed on a platform away from the open excavation. Through hard work and a team effort, the project was completed on time and, most importantly, without putting anyone in danger.
Reaction has always maintained a strong presence in the residential market. With over a decade of pile installation experience, Reaction has supplied and provided clients with thousands of piles for residential applications. No matter what size of project, Reaction maintains its core company safety and quality policies ensuring all clients receive the same level of professionalism that our company provides. From decks to entire grade beam foundations, screw piles are a great option for residential buildings.
Part of the Reaction equipment fleet are compact track loaders that allow us to install smaller piles in a cost-effective manner. Reaction crews can first mark out the pile installation points, and then follow up with a precise installation providing the client with a quick turnaround. Reaction works with home builders, companies, and individuals in the residential market and has always been able to maintain a great relationship with every client through quality work and strong communication before, during and after the project.
Not all projects allow for open site access. The AHS Renal Dialysis Unit was to be installed inside of an existing building, and with substantial loading requirements the client needed a foundation solution that would be both economical and feasible. Originally designed with belled piles, the client wanted to look for alternatives that allow for small equipment to enter and exit the building and install the foundation given the height restrictions.
Reaction engineers worked on a design including battered and vertical piles with concrete pile caps, while utilizing various machines for the various height restrictions in the building. Reaction incorporated the expertise of its operators to work on a design and install strategy that would allow for the most efficient and safe installation. Reaction was able to work inside the building amongst other trades to complete the pile installation that would go on to sufficiently support the Renal Dialysis Unit at a fraction of the cost of the belled pile option.
Often, screw pile installation equipment is not the only type of equipment required to complete a foundation package. There are almost always welding requirements, and often hydrovac requirements as well to ensure the screw piles are being installed in a safe location free of underground utilities. Reaction provides services for the design, supply, fabrication, and installation of screw piles as well as associated scopes of work such as welding and hydrovac in our other divisions. For a number of projects all divisions work together providing the client with a one stop shop for their foundation and earth work requirements.
One such project was a retaining wall in Edmonton, AB. Reaction was presented with a requirement from the client to install large diameter piles to form a timber lagging and screw pile retaining wall system to allow for safely widening the road. This had to be done quickly, as the client was waiting for this structure to be completed before continuing with their scope. Reaction worked together with the client to come up with a screw pile segmented install procedure to allow for the use of one of our larger rigs underneath the low overpass. Reaction provided all parts of the wall from the screw pile installation including the welded connections, to the hydrovac trenching of the soil for the timber lagging and the construction of the lagging between the piles. Working around the clock, Reaction was able to complete this project to the tight schedule requirements of the client and allow them to continue the road widening safely with minimal delay.
A large portion of our projects require a lot of teamwork between the client and Reaction personnel prior to the project start. Reaction always strives to come up with the best solution with the client prior to beginning the fabrication stage to avoid excessive cost and downtime with avoidable changes. Reaction worked with the client on this project to come up with a streamlined design. This included completing a load test to increase our certainty with the piles prior to completion of the design phase. It also included meeting with other trades and discussing a plan for installation that would be efficient for all parties.
Moving into the construction phase, Reaction methodically completed the project in stages to install piles according to the client’s schedule so that the next scope could follow immediately behind us keeping the project on schedule. This project had double and triple battered pile locations for load requirements and Reaction crews precisely installed each pile so the pile cap connection could encompass all components of the pile group. Reactions attention to detail throughout the entire project ensured that no portion of the installation needed to be done twice, and the project benefited from the use of teamwork across all parties involved.
