The context:

In order to increase the storage capacity of DeltaPort's container terminal in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, the Vancouver Port Authority is expanding its loading/unloading capacity by 60%. The existing wharf is currently being extended 500 metres to the north using large floating concrete caissons to create a berth face for ships. The area located between the land and the caissons will then be filled in with fine dredged sand hauled in by trucks.


In order to address the seismic concerns, GEOPAC was appointed to densify the very loose and saturated fill materials that could be subject to liquefaction in the event of an earthquake.

Work performed by GEOPAC:

In an effort to save both time and money, a combination of vibro stone columns and dynamic compaction was used as an alternative method. The deepest ground was improved through the use of vibro stone columns up to a depth of 28 metres. Dynamic compaction was then used to compact the soil on top following the vibro stone installation operations.

In all, 410,000 m3 of soil had to be densified in order to meet highly-demanding performance specifications.