Project Contractor/Client
Hazelwood Construction Services – Parks Canada
Project Details
The project required removing rock using GeoBreak’s Expanding Grout non-explosive demolition products. Rock breaking was conducted in a manner that avoided disturbance to existing infrastructure near an active Parks Canada trail.
Project Location
Tofino, Vancouver Island, BC – completed February 2020
Scope of the Project
The work was completed on a new multi-use pathway, located in the traditional territories of the Tla-o-qui-aht and Yuuthlu-ilth-ath/Ucluelet First Nation. It will extend approximately 25 km from the southern to the northern boundary of the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
The rock breaking combination will be of rock drilling, expanding grout rock breaking, rock hammering broken rock and using a machine to pull apart loose and broken material.
Which GeoBreak Products Were Recommended
GeoBreak Expanding Grout Type III was recommended for this rock breaking project, using a 2” diameter hole size and 16” – 19” hole spacing. A tighter drill pattern was used in areas where there was less relief. The area that required rock breaking and removal was 10m x 3.5m x 1m on average for rock cuts.
Expected Outcome
The expected outcome of using GeoBreak Expanding Grout was to heave apart the rock and allow for a excavation without rock breaking and/or minimal rock breaking as needed. This process was used to ensure minimal disturbance to the environment while removing rock for the trail construction.
Actual Outcome
GeoBreak Expanding Grout broke the rock in combination with machine rock breaking to assist in high bottom areas.
Final Thoughts From The Project Contractors
GeoBreak Expanding Grout was used as an alternative to minimize rock breaker time in the vicinity of an active trail. The drilling contractor had previously performed drilling and blasting services in the area, which provided experience with the local geologic conditions. The rock was very competent with minimal voids and seams, approximately 1 day of drilling and pouring of GeoBreak Expanding Grout was required. The crew on site left GeoBreak Expanding Grout to sit and curate covered by a tarp for a week. While they were waiting for the rock to break, they were able to work on other areas of the project. Once they removed the tarped off grouted area, the rock was fractured and cracked ready to be removed. The fragmentation of the rock was better in some areas than others due to the geologic density. There were areas that had higher bottoms which was broken further with a rock breaker. Areas where the rock had more relief and room to expand were pulled apart with a bucket of an onsite machine.
