Arch Engineers Ltd. was engaged to provide a value-engineered solution for the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion bridge and dock ramp. This followed a request from the general contractor to replace the originally specified screw piles with standard steel pipe piles. The design substitution aimed to streamline construction processes, reduce costs, and accelerate the project timeline—without compromising structural integrity.
Our scope included a comprehensive review of the existing design. We focused on loading requirements for the new bridge and dock ramp, along with geotechnical and geostructural assessments of the foundation conditions. By leveraging our expertise in foundation engineering, we developed an alternative pipe pile design. It met all necessary loading and stability criteria. As a result, this solution offered the contractor significant efficiencies, including both budget savings and schedule improvements.
In addition to technical adjustments, Arch Engineers coordinated closely with the owner’s design engineers. We presented a thorough assessment to validate the substitute design’s effectiveness and to ensure alignment with the project’s structural needs. This collaboration was instrumental in gaining stakeholder confidence in the updated foundation approach.
Ultimately, Arch’s value-engineered solution provided an effective balance between cost, constructability, and reliability. It contributed to the successful advancement of the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion project.