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Our MSE Structural Walls are truly "Meewasin" on the downtown waterfront.
The Meewasin Valley Authority was formed to develop and protect the South Saskatchewan River Valley in and around Saskatoon. "Meewasin" is the Cree word for "beautiful" and a fitting description of the Meewasin Valley Trail, a 40 km (25 mi) cultural/recreational parkway. River Landing, a large-scale, multi-purpose urban renewal development along the downtown waterfront, is considered the most significant real estate development in the Province's history. So naturally, as both the new face of Saskatoon's vibrant downtown and the backdrop to countless recreational pursuits, our MSE Structural Walls with custom pre-cast panels had to live up to the Valley's namesake. But, true beauty comes from within.
Overcoming unique site challenges.
After 60 years of fill dumping, the site had its unique challenges. AIL's professionals worked closely with the project partners within a tight timeline to design walls that could overcome a number of complex engineering feats and still satisfy many environmental and aesthetic requirements. Because they had to be built on less-than-favourable fill and within an active flood zone, the design needed to accommodate a 50.8 mm (2") settlement differential between the face panels and the reinforced backfill zone. AIL's MSE Structural Wall was chosen as the only system that could meet this requirement. Founded on improved bases of 1 m (39") of rock fill on geogrid and geotextile separation under the select backfill zones, these gracefully-curving walls also had to accommodate large, cantilevered observation decks and the use of engineered saddles around several pile structures. For the facades, driven steel piles with pre-cast concrete grade beams provided uniform, stable bases for the pre-cast concrete panels.
Living up to the "Meewasin" name-sake.
The "face of the City" had to look good and stay that way. We provided the project team with several pre-cast finish options. In the end, we actually developed a custom Vertical Grave Stake design that met all of their requirements - a natural look, an anti-graffiti texture, good freeze/thaw durability without water pooling, and pre-cast workability. The resulting marriage of engineering and design is, by all accounts, truly "Meewasin".
Project-at-a-glance:
AIL's MSE Structural Walls with custom Precast Concrete Panels
Two-Phase Project Scope:
Series of seven walls totaling 1377 m2 (14822 ft2) façade area in two phases
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