Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1101469
A PR IL 2019 | 9 Precast Concrete PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY LAFARGE The precast concrete industry is robust across Canada in 2019 by ROBIN BRUNET F rom the biggest infrastructure projects right down to the smallest architectural details, a precast solution can be had for all architects, engineers, and con- struction professionals – and that's one reason why the market for precast in Canada con- tinues to grow, in addition to the system's ability to reduce construction time and cost. For Lafarge, 2019 is a busy year, especially compared to previous years under the oil and gas downturn. "In Alberta the economy is slowly recovering, and we have several notable precast projects on the go and recently completed," says Jason Rabasse, business development manager, precast, Western Canada. For example, Lafarge is currently working on the City of Edmonton's new transit centre by providing and installing smooth architectural precast soffit panels using its Ductal UHPC material. The project includes 44 curved soffit panels and 26 flat soffit panels, all with a thickness of only 3∕4 of an inch. The choice of materi- als is the outcome of Lafarge consulting with Group2 Architecture Interior Design on a number of potential precast solutions, with Ductal providing the creative potential and esthetics the architect was looking for, while allowing the thin soffit panels to contribute reduced weight to the overall structure. Lafarge Precast is also responsible for the con- crete supply and installation of the new Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Parkade, a project that will this year provide 1,000 parking stalls. Meanwhile, in Saskatchewan, Lafarge is winding down work on the Yorkton Grain Mill, a project that saw the company collaborate with engineers WSP to adjust the design of the facility (for example, switching from hollow- core slabs to solid slabs due to the large openings required through the floors). The mill components include 60 precast columns up to 40,000 pounds each, 180 precast beams, and 215 solid precast slabs. Lafarge in Alberta also recently completed the Aurum Road precast arch culvert (which it also designed) that connects Aurum Road to the Anthony Henday Ring Road. The 68-metre long segmented pre- cast arch culvert measures 21 metres in width at the base, spanning over a small creek while also provid- ing a wildlife crossing under the new road. The height of the arch culvert is eight metres and once completed will be backfilled and covered with an additional eight metres of fill (this will allow the connector road from 17th Street to the Anthony Henday Ring Road to be constructed above the culvert). Rabasse, who as of March became the chair- man of the Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (CPCI) Board for 2019, says, "the precast market is growing steadily in strength, and it looks like we'll be busy with new and existing projects well into the future." For aging infrastructure alone, precast purveyors are being kept busy in 2019. John Carson, executive director at AltusGroup Inc., says that "the precast business is extremely robust across North America: lead times are increasing and book rates are well into the third quarter of this year, with everyone wanting more – and faster." Partner PreCon just completed CarbonCast pre- cast project work in Ontario on one of the largest dairy plants in North America. School construction, commer- cial office, distribution, retail, and multi-family demand continues to drive demand throughout North America. Finding The Cure Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Parkade, Grande Prairie, AB. Aurum Road precast arch culvert, Edmonton, AB.