about Canadian Geotechnical Code and Standards

[geotechman]

hello, everyone, I will go to Canada living and working soon. I want to know whcih code, standard or handbook is being used in practical geotechnical engineering. who can give me a advicable suggestion?

Thank you.

 

[BigH]

I am Canadian but haven't worked there for 8 years - been overseas. But, I was in the consulting engineering field with one of Canada's oldest Toronto-based organizations. It was a great time to work - mid 1970s.

I never found the geotechnical community in Canada to be "code hungry" like you find in India, etc. They use sound engineering principals of geotechniques to develope solutions to their problems. There are some codes for sure - the National Building Code (never read it - just bits and pieces but only for wind) and the Ontario Bridge Code for design of bridges - they have a good geotech section - similar and not as extensive as in AASHTO Bridge Code. Then, there is the Canadian Geotechnical Manual put out by the Canadian Geotechnical Society. It is pretty good, but not much different that NAVDOCs 7.1-7.3. So - have a few good texts (I suggest Tomlinson's two books - one on piles and the other on foundations, Tscebateriof, Terzaghi and Peck) and you'll do fine. The main thing is to think - to see what your problems are and work out good sound practical solutions.

Where will you be going to work? Ontario?? Who for?? Where are you coming from????

One thing - due to some roof collapses, etc., some of the provinces are requiring geotechnical engineers to "sign off" on design drawings - reports, etc. I'm not too sure how that all works since I left just before it got going. But your organization will be able to get you through. Canada has some fine geotechnical engineers and geotechnical engineering organizations - get involved with the Canadian Geotechnical Society - the local chapters. Good Luck - you'll like it there.

 

[geotechman]

BigH,thank your quick and valuable reply. First let me introduce myself. I am Chinese and will immigrate to Canada this year. The scheduled settlement place is Vancouver. Because I find Vancouver Geotechnical Society is most active society among all provincial geotechnical societies and many geotechnical companies are located in there.

Before this I have been a geotechnical engineering for about 10 years. My original working field was the tunnel stability analysis and design as well as ground control especially for underground mines. Then I turned the slope stability analysis and design for hydro-electronic project and highway project. In recently years my major work field focus on the site investigation and foundation engineering including some pile foundation and composite foundation treatment for a wide variety of development. I have the working experience both in China and in overseas.

I have found some big and famous companies in the net, such as Golder Associate, AMEC, EBA, etc. But I am afraid that it is hard to enter such companies at the beginning.

As for the job hunting, could you give me some suggestions?

 

[jdmm]

geotechman,

Welcome to Vancouver! I can't specifically direct you to any firm that can hire you but I can tell you that there are a number of larger projects that are proposed for the next few years that could substantially increase the requirements for more geotechnical engineers (Rapid transit project, Trade and convention centre expansion and hopefully the 2010 winter Olympics in Whistler). These projects are in addition to substantial expansion of facillities in the downtown core.

Good luck
jim

 

[geotechman]

Jim, thank you supply the valuable information. Are you a Canadian geotechnical engineer? If you are, please give me a tip for the following questions.

1. whether the soil classification system use the USGS in canada's gewotechnical activities?

2. whether the rock classification system use RMR in Canada's geotechnical activities?

3. I used the FLAC in the stability analysis, any toher software are necessary?

Thank you.

 

[BigH]

Geotechman: Yeah - there are a lot of firms (big and small) in Vancouver. It is a thriving city and many Chinese so you'll feel at home. I loved it when I worked for SNC-Lavalin out there. Try contacting the Canadian Geotechnical Society at:

http://www.cgs.ca

or write Sarah Watson at cgs@cgs.ca for information on firms in the Vancouver area - if you do a search of Canadian Geotechnical Society - you might find a link to the Vancouver chapter - else the head office could get you in touch with someone.

Mostly, I would put forth that the USCS system is now used for soil classification although the oldies used a more Canadian system that developed (like using adjectives in following manner: trace (<10%), some (10-20%), ...ty (20-35%) and (35-50%) in their descriptions. So a silty sand with trace of fine gravel would consist predominantly of sand with 20 to 35% silt and <10% gravel. (Old Geocon and Golder practice).

As for Rock - don't know but I believe that the Norweigan system (Jr, Js, etc) is usually used.

Stability calculations are most likely by GSlope or SlopeW.