Year
2021
Canada
Overview
One of North America’s leading energy infrastructure companies with operations in natural gas, oil and power industries needed access to a new compressor site built in an area with significant peat and high water table. This permanent road would give their employees reliable year round access to the site – and ensure their operations are running smoothly. This road was designed by Stratum Logics. Tough Cell® installation was supervised by Paradox, installation of Tough Cell® by Prime Contractor Groupe Maco, ground prep and aggregate infill by civil contractor Charex. — To ensure necessary access through all seasons and weather conditions, Paradox Access Solutions engineered, supplied and installed a turn-key reinforcement solution using Tough Cell® geocells.
Year
2021
Canada
Overview
One of North America’s leading energy infrastructure companies with operations in natural gas, oil and power industries needed access to a new compressor site built in an area with significant peat and high water table. This permanent road would give their employees reliable year round access to the site – and ensure their operations are running smoothly. This road was designed by Stratum Logics. Tough Cell® installation was supervised by Paradox, installation of Tough Cell® by Prime Contractor Groupe Maco, ground prep and aggregate infill by civil contractor Charex. — To ensure necessary access through all seasons and weather conditions, Paradox Access Solutions engineered, supplied and installed a turn-key reinforcement solution using Tough Cell® geocells.
Challenges
Paradox’s patented Tough Cell® solution was the most suitable technology for reinforcing the ground on this site.
Narrow Timeline
The timeline to get the first layer of road in and provide access to start construction of the compressor station was short. The project started in the fall of 2020 – main pad construction executed in the winter months, while the road and final grading of the pad completed in the spring of 2021.
Soft Soil Conditions
The ground conditions were extremely soft with significant peat, high water table and lots of surface water. This presented a huge problem as the road receives high levels of traffic and activity from large heavy duty equipment vehicles.
Lease Restrictions
The limited footprint available for construction of the access road and station left no room for removal and storage of native materials; therefore, the ability to build without significant excavation was very important
The road utilized two layers of Tough Cell®, while the pad utilized three layers of Cells. Both were filled with local materials while aggregates were supplied by local quarries, within ±30km radius.
The road was 4.3 kms in total and finished with a width of 8 meters The Pad was 210m x 195m (40,950m2)
Aggregate materials required are significantly less than conventional methods, due to eliminated requirement for excavation and replacement of organic materials. This resulted in a huge carbon savings usually incurred through expensive excavation & hauling of aggregate material.
Results
Work is progressing on schedule; coming in under budget for materials supplied by Paradox. The Pad and road are both performing well at this time and are fit for their intended purpose. The structures utilized local aggregates, reducing costs related to expensive hauling as well as carbon emissions.
Benefits
Reduced costs and maintenance for vehicles and equipment used in alternative methods of access.
Ability to handle current and increased traffic loads and weight of vehicles and equipment.
Reliable & permanent access (any time of year or weather).
Reduced/minimal surface maintenance, rut free, and smooth surfacing over time.
Environmental Savings
