The project
Keller installs deep foundations for a multi-purpose, Indigenous-led healthcare facility, serving the Key First Nation, Keeseekoose First Nation, and Cote First Nation.
The Saulteaux Pelly Agency Health Alliance (SPAHA) is constructing a new multi-purpose healthcare facility on the Keeseekoose First Nation. The facility will provide many services, including public health programming, palliative care, long-term care, and mental health services for the surrounding communities. Ground conditions comprised fine grain sand with silt and clay overlaying shale and stiff to hard clay. A deep foundations solution was required to support the new facility.
The challenge
Existing foundations and utilities were buried across the site. Large rocks within the soils were also possible. The site also had a sloped grade, meaning working platforms had to be built in several areas for large rigs and trucks to safely access.
The solution
The structural engineer recommended drilled shafts for the deep foundations. Before Keller started on site, the existing foundations across the site had to be located and removed. Once the foundations were located, the structural engineer had to review shaft locations and ensure the new foundations in these areas still met the load requirements. In areas where they did not, piles were designed deeper. Keller was awarded the contract and successfully installed 385 drilled shafts up to 60 ft (18m) deep.