Library of Parliament

Library of Parliament – Rock Excavation Subcontract

The Library of Parliament is a unique, gothic stone structure that was built in 1876 and has been much admired since that date. It survived the fire that destroyed Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings in 1916. It also survived its own fire in 1952. It is rated as the number one historic building in Canada and is a major draw for tourists on Parliament Hill. You can find more information on the Library at http://www.parliamenthill.gc.ca/text/ongoinglibrary_e.html

Unfortunately, time had taken its toll and in 2002 it was necessary to close the Library to begin a major renovation. The overall project was completed in the spring of 2006 at a cost of approximately $130 Million. A major component of the project was the creation of additional space under the existing at-grade stone building for storage and new mechanical/electrical systems. An underground link was required to the nearby CBUS underground plant that serviced Centre Block. The creation of this underground space required the removal of 5000 m³ of limestone bedrock. Due to the fragile nature of the old Library building, blasting was not allowed and vibration limits were set very low.

I was retained by tunnel contractor, Dibco Underground Limited, at the bid stage, to review the project and make recommendations on how to the work could be completed. This was not an easy task because no rock excavation project with this volume of rock, difficulty of access, and overall risk had ever been completed before. Dibco was subsequently awarded the rock excavation subcontract by general contractor, Thomas Fuller Construction. I was subsequently retained by Dibco to act as Project Manager for the rock excavation work.

Being the low bidder is one thing, but completing the project at a profit is certainly another thing. This project was probably the most difficult rock excavation project imaginable. It included exterior shafts, a large access tunnel, four column holes drilled with tight tolerances to 9m depth with minimal headroom, excavations in narrow corridors between the masonry walls of the building, impossibly restricted working conditions inside the building amongst existing columns. All of the work was completed under the microscope of a myriad of architectural, engineering and historical consultants coupled with an unrelenting schedule that did not consider unforeseeable shutdowns at the whim of the Senate or Parliament. Yet the project was successfully completed without any damage being caused to the existing Library.

Congratulations are in order to Dibco Underground, owner Ed DiMillo, site supervisor, Greg Gibson, and the hard-working Dibco crew. Prior to mobilizing to Ottawa we tested all known non-explosive rock breaking technologies to assess their capabilities. Once on the site, we again tested hydraulic breakers, chemical expansion agents, Controlled Foam Injection, propellants and hydraulic splitters. We learned what works in which circumstances and how to apply the individual rock breaking techniques.

Please feel free to give me call if your project requires rock breaking without the use of explosives.