Professional Documents
Culture Documents
February 2012
Project No. 111-25780-00
February 7, 2012
We are pleased to submit our Geotechnical Investigation Report for the proposed expansion of the
London Street Generating Station, in Peterborough, Ontario. A field investigation and laboratory testing
program was conducted to assess soil and groundwater conditions at the site, as input to preliminary
design considerations for the proposed diversion canal and new generating station plant. The report
includes factual data from the field investigations, and preliminary considerations and recommendations
for excavations and groundwater seepage control, foundation design, and general earthworks. It is
expected that additional geotechnical recommendations would be required for detailed design of the new
facilities.
We trust that you will find this report to be relatively straightforward and that it meets with your current
expectations and requirements. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Yours truly,
GENIVAR Inc.
Table of Contents
Transmittal Letter
Table of Content
1. INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................1-1
Figures
Figure 1 Site Plan
Figure 2 Borehole Location Plan
Figure 3 Cross Section A-A’
Appendices
Appendix A Borehole Explanation Forms, Borehole Logs, Particle Size Distribution Analyses
(Figures A1 to A4)
Appendix B Core Photographs
Appendix C Slug Test Results
1. Introduction
GENIVAR Inc. (GENIVAR) was commissioned by Peterborough Utilities Inc. (PUI, Client) to perform a
Geotechnical Investigation for the proposed expansion of the London Street Generating Station (LSGS),
located at 51 London Street, in the City of Peterborough, Ontario (Figure 1).
It is understood that existing LSGS output will be expanded from 4 MW to 10 MW, and that the expansion
will be comprised of three (3) primary components:
1) Construction of a new intake channel in the Otonabee River fore bay, west of the existing
intake and turbine building. It is understood that the intake channel is to be approximately 20
m wide and 5 m deep, relative to existing surface grades, and that it will be sloped at an
approximate 10 percent grade toward the turbine inlets;
2) Construction of a new tailrace canal, which will originate from the expanded generating
station, and extend southerly towards the existing tailrace canal. It is understood that the new
tailrace canal will be approximately 150 m long and 13.5 m deep, relative to existing surface
grades; and
3) Expansion of the generating station structure to accommodate new and/or additional turbine
units.
The purpose of the subject Geotechnical Investigation was to assess soil, bedrock and groundwater
conditions at the site, provide factual subsurface data for conceptual design of the project, and to discuss
general geotechnical issues including excavations, groundwater seepage control and foundation bearing
capacity. The report includes site plans and a cross section, as well as borehole logs and test results for
the investigation program.
2. Investigation Procedures
2.1 Borehole Program
A borehole investigation was conducted within the proposed extents of the proposed diversion and
tailrace canal between the dates December 12, 2011 and January 6, 2012. The investigation advanced
six (6) boreholes, designated as BH-01 through BH-06, to depths of up to 20 m below the existing ground
surface grade. The investigation area and borehole locations are indicated on Figure 2. Four (4) of the
holes met refusal on the presumed bedrock surface, at depths of 5.4 m to 9.2 m below ground level, and
two of the boreholes (BH-04 and BH-05) were advanced several meters into the bedrock using coring
techniques.
Drilling and sampling was completed using a track-mounted CME-55 drill rig operating under the
supervision of GENIVAR technicians. Within the overburden, the boreholes were advanced to sampling
depths by means of continuous flight hollow-stem augers. Standard Penetration Test (SPT) N values
were recorded for the sampled intervals as the number of blows required to drive a 50 mm outside
diameter (OD) split-spoon sampler 305 mm into the soil, using a 63.5 kg drop hammer falling 750 mm
(ASTM D1586 procedure). SPT N values so recorded in this report are used to assess consistency for
cohesive soils and relative density for non-cohesive materials.
Soil samples for reference and testing were collected at approximately 0.75 m and 1.5 m intervals. The
samples were logged in the field using visual and tactile methods, and subsequently were placed into
labelled plastic bags for transport, future reference, possible laboratory testing, and temporary storage.
Open boreholes were checked for groundwater and general stability prior to backfilling.
Bedrock sampling was performed using an NQ (46.5 mm) diameter diamond bit core barrel, with river
water pumped to a recirculation tank and used for drilling lubrication. Rock core samples were logged and
photographed in the field. Core Run Recovery and Rock Quality Designation (RQD) ratios were
measured, and core samples were placed into labelled core boxes for shipment and temporary storage.
Three (3) groundwater monitors, consisting of 50 mm outside diameter PVC machine-slotted screen and
riser pipe, were installed to measure static groundwater levels at the site. A bi-level nested monitor was
installed at BH11-4 (as designated by i for deep and ii for shallow monitor), and a single monitor was
installed at BH11-5. The deeper monitors were screened within selected intervals of the fractured
bedrock. The shallow monitor BH-04ii was screened within the overburden soil above the bedrock
interface. Standpipe annuli were sealed with bentonite pellets or grout, and the above-ground riser pipe
sections were fitted with a lockable protective covers embedded in lean concrete. General construction
details for the monitors are provided in the appended borehole logs.
A relative elevation survey of the borehole locations was conducted by GENIVAR field staff; ground
elevations referenced to a topographic datum taken from Ontario Base Mapping for the site. From the
survey, the floor slab of the existing generating station building was measured at 193.92 metres above
sea level (masl). Corrections may be required to the relative survey results to establish more precise
geodetic elevations for detailed design and construction of the project.
Groundwater levels in the monitors were measured upon completion of installation and several days later,
on January 10, 2012. Findings are discussed later in the report. Field procedures to assess hydraulic
conductivity of the bedrock are discussed in Section 2.2 below.
Laboratory testing for the subject investigation included four (4) Particle Size Distribution Analyses (ASTM
D422). In addition, eight (8) selected samples of bedrock core were submitted for Point Load Index
testing as an indicator of unconfined compressive strength (UCS). Test samples were taken at
approximately 3.0 m intervals from boreholes BH11-4 and BH11-5.
Laboratory test results are included in the Appendix of this report, and on the borehole logs.
3. Subsurface Profile
3.1 General Physical Setting
The subject LSGS site is located in the Peterborough Drumlin Physiographic Region of Ontario
(Chapman and Putnam, 1984), in an area characterized as having rolling plains of drumlinized glacial till
overlying calcareous limestone bedrock of the middle Ordovician age Verulam Formation. The ground
surface across most of the investigated site is fairly flat, but there are relatively steep slopes along the
existing tailrace canal and the Otonabee River main channel, south of the existing generating station.
Groundwater and surface water drainage appears to be mainly south-easterly, towards the river, which
flows southerly into Little Lake.
Existing land development in the site vicinity includes private residential dwellings along London Street,
and the Pepsi QTG (formerly Quaker Oats) plant to the south. A gravel access road currently connects
the plant to London Street, and passes by the site entrance lane. A railway spur associated with the Pepsi
operation crosses the subject lands and the proposed diversion canal alignment. The current site layout is
indicated on Figure 1.
The bedrock surface is generally about 8.5 m below ground surface in the site area. Bedrock is exposed
in the side slopes and bottom of the tailrace canal. It is understood that a previous diversion canal
crossed the investigation area prior to the 1900’s, specifically in the area of BH-01. It is suspected that
this former canal was backfilled near the time when the existing generating station and dam were
constructed, with the backfill material suspected to consist of rock and earth fill, construction debris, and
possibly other materials from off-site sources. Coarse rock fill with cobbles and boulders is notable in
areas along the canal shoreline and associated slopes.
A north to south cross-section of the subsurface profile at the site is included as Figure 3, and borehole
logs are included in the Appendix. Descriptions of individual material layers encountered during the
investigation are as follows.
3.2.1 Topsoil
A layer of dark brown sandy silt topsoil was penetrated in each of the boreholes, except BH-03. The
topsoil is typically about 0.1 m thick, except at BH-06 where it was approximately 0.7 m thick. The topsoil
contains occasional roots and organic matter, and was moist at the time of the investigation, with loose
relative density on the basis of SPT ‘N’ values ranging from 4 to 9 (blows per 305 mm penetration).
A laboratory particle size distribution analysis was completed on a select sample of the sandy gravel fill
taken from BH-06 at 1.5 m to 2.0 m depth. Results are presented in the Appendix (Figure A4), and
indicate the following gradations based on the MIT classification system:
m to 5 m below ground level. Based on SPT N values ranging from 10 blows to greater than 50 blows per
305 mm of penetration, the till is compact to very dense, with density generally increasing with depth.
A laboratory particle size distribution analysis was completed on a selected sample of the till material
taken from BH-04 at 6.1 to 6.6 m depth. Results are presented in the Appendix (Figure A3, and indicate
the following gradations based on the MIT classification system:
3.2.7 Bedrock
Boreholes which were not core sampled were terminated upon refusal on the presumed bedrock surface,
at depths ranging from 5.9 m to 9.1 m below ground surface. It is inferred that the bedrock surface slopes
gently to the south-east, toward Otonabee River.
Based on geological descriptions of core samples included in the appended logs, the bedrock consists of
grey, horizontally-bedded limestone with interbedded layers of shale and silty clay (Verulam Formation).
The rock mass appears to be variably fractured, and slightly weathered; however, several intervals
ranging from 0.05 m to 0.35 m long appear to be severely weathered with poorer rock quality.
Rock Quality Designations (RQD’s) for the bedrock core samples ranged from 17% (very poor) to 68%
(fair) within the anticipated excavation limits. A notable improvement in bedrock quality was noted below
below 15.5 m depth in BH-04, but RQD was fairly consistent overall in BH-05.
The bedrock is classified as medium hard with an estimated unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of
50 MPa to 140 MPa for intact samples, based on axial point load indices. Compressive strength of
severely weathered and intensely broken sections of core samples is presumed to be significantly less
than this lower limit. Compressive strength of relatively thin shaly interbeds is estimated to range from 1
MPa to 15 MPa, which is considered to be relatively weak compared to the rock mass at large.
Photographs of bedrock core samples are included in the Appendix for reference.
Results of single-well response tests for the bedrock monitors installed onsite are included in Appendix C,
-8 -7
and indicate that bulk hydraulic conductivity ranges from approximately 3 x 10 m/s to 5 x 10 m/s.
Similar results were obtained for packer test results completed at a nearby development along the river,
upstream of the site. The test results suggest a fairly low groundwater seepage potential through the
bedrock, but it should be appreciated that significant spatial variations in hydraulic conductivity may exist,
depending on the characteristics of local discontinuities and other rock mass properties. Seepage
assessments for detailed design and construction considerations may require additional investigations,
and possibly more sophisticated packer tests or well pumping tests to confirm that the current findings are
representative and consistent with expectations.
3.2.8 Groundwater
It is inferred that the shallow groundwater levels at the site are controlled by the adjacent surface water
systems. Groundwater appears to exist as perched lenses within shallow overburden materials, and
within the denser till soil. Moist to saturated soils were observed within the boreholes at variable depths. It
is inferred from site data that the shallow groundwater table within the overburden slopes between the
Otonabee River fore bay (elevation 199.4 masl) and the existing tailrace canal (elevation 190.5 masl).
The head loss is fairly uniform as shown on Figure 3.
The groundwater elevation in the bedrock monitors was approximately 190 masl, which is close to the
tailrace channel elevation, and below the groundwater level in the overburden. Thus, it appears that a
downward vertical gradient exists at the site, creating a potential for groundwater recharge/infiltration
conditions.
It is expected that groundwater levels at the site will fluctuate with seasonal weather events, and the
controlled surface water levels in the area.
4. Geotechnical Considerations
4.1 General
Geotechnical design considerations related to the construction of the proposed intake and tailrace canals
and expansion of the generating station structure are discussed in this section. Recommendations are
based on the borehole information, which we believe to be fairly representative of the actual subsurface
conditions. It should be appreciated that subsurface conditions may vary between the investigated
boreholes, and we should be contacted if significant variations are found so that we may adjust or revise
our recommendations, if necessary. It is notable that a backfilled former diversion canal crosses the site
and may contain irregular debris (including rock and construction debris), and this factor should be
addressed for proposed design and construction. Additional investigations, including trial excavations,
may be required to characterize this material.
For the new generating plant structure and upstream intake area, the designer should anticipate the need
for a cutoff system, such as a retained earth plug and/or interlocking sheeting, to hold back fore bay and
river water heads. Relatively coarse debris and mixed layers of porous granular fill have the capability to
conduct significant amounts of water into construction excavations, and even with seepage cutoffs
substantial pumping of leakage may be required. As noted, the presence of an old debris-filled canal
crossing the site is a concern and configuration of an effective cutoff with excavation pumping system is
dependent on the detailed design requirements.
If pumping requirements during construction exceed 50,000 L/day, a Permit to Take Water (PTTW) will be
required from the MOE. It is likely that the PTTW would be Category 3 due to the expected duration of
construction; as such PTTW approval will require acceptance of an impact assessment and water
discharge plan that considers existing environmental features.
Within the primary construction areas where structural loads are to be applied, it is expected that low
quality fill material would be removed to expose competent bearing material, such as dense till soil or
sound bedrock. Assuming Type 4 dominating materials, unsupported excavations in the fill zone should
not be steeper than 3H:1V, under OHSA regulations (O. Reg. 213/91), unless otherwise approved by the
Geotechnical Engineer. Excavation material management may require off-site disposal, and additional
physical/chemical assessments of soil quality may be required to comply with provincial waste and landfill
regulations. Excavations should be protected from exposure to precipitation and associated ground
surface runoff, and should be inspected regularly during construction to address localized instability.
The intermediate silty sand glacial till soil is moist to saturated, and is a relatively dense and consolidated
soil deposit. The till may contain occasional layers of saturated granular material, however, the relative
seepage potential for this material should be fairly low, with bulk hydraulic conductivity expected be less
-5
than 10 m/s. The till should be considered as a Type 3 material under OHSA regulations, and vertical
unsupported cuts up to 1.2 m may be possible, provide groundwater seepage is not a significant factor.
Contractors should be prepared to deal with cobbles and boulders within the till unit.
Based on an estimated Rock Mass Rating (RMR) of approximately 35 for the horizontally-bedded
limestone, it is expected that the majority of the bedrock excavation for the generating plant and diversion
canal can be completed with heavy mechanical breakers and rippers. Unsupported near-vertical rock cuts
should be reasonably stable within the construction term, with the exception of potential localized spalling
of fractured material and sloughing of interbedded shaley/silty seams. A small potential exists for
localized rock squeeze to develop within thinly bedded rock units, due to construction unloading and
remnant horizontal stresses. Therefore, structures embedded within bedrock should be designed to resist
or absorb strains from potential rock squeeze. Details should be assessed when more information is
available.
The bottom of the proposed tailrace canal is to be located within the bedrock, and below the groundwater
table/potentiometric surface. Excavations into the bedrock should anticipate seepage from fractures and
relatively porous zones. The quantity of seepage will be dependent on the relative pressure head and the
bulk hydraulic conductivity of the bedrock. Limited testing for the current investigation indicates that
groundwater seepage into the canal during controlled construction operations should be less than 10
L/min, per 10 m linear section. However, additional seepage could occur through the overburden. Based
on these findings, and provided cutoffs will be used close to surface water areas, it appears that
groundwater could be adequately controlled within the excavations using filtered sumps and pumps.
Contractors should confirm dewatering requirements with additional tests and trial pumping, as a basis for
tendering, permit approvals and cost management. Also, the designer should confirm canal leakage
tolerances, so that this can be assessed with respect to the observed bedrock conditions.
We understand that the new intake and tailrace canal will probably be un-lined; GENIVAR should be
advised if this is not the case, to provide appropriate geotechnical recommendations for a liner design.
For an unlined channel, erosion of the bedrock, and the softer shaly layers in particular, should be
anticipated, which may cause localized undermining and spalling of the canal walls and require periodic
maintenance.
It is anticipated that the new generating station will be founded on the bedrock, close to the bottom grade
of the proposed tailrace canal (i.e. approximate elevation 185 masl). Bedrock at this level consists of poor
to fair quality fractured and horizontally-bedded limestone with an estimated unconfined compressive
th
strength of 50 MPa (Grade R3 as per CFEM 4 edition, 2006). Shaly layers are relatively weak (Grade
R1) compared to limestone beds. For preliminary design, assuming that weak shale beds are not
significant at the design grades a preliminary design bearing pressure (SLS) of 500 kPa may be
assumed. If higher loadings are required, additional assessments of the bedrock conditions immediately
below the proposed foundation elements should be completed. Field confirmation of the allowable
bearing capacity is required by the Geotechnical Engineer during construction.
Concrete corrosion and electrical resistivity analyses were not completed within the current scope of
work, to assess requirements for concrete mix design and grounding potential. GENIVAR should be
contacted if this information is required for conceptual design, and we can advise if additional tests are
required. This information should be addressed in detailed design.
Service pipes can be installed with Class B bedding in accordance with OPSD 802.010. Pipe bedding
should be compacted to at least 98 percent of SPMDD.
Geotechnical inspections will be crucial during construction operations to address unexpected conditions,
and for quality control and assurance (QA/QC). Inspection and testing services should include verification
of subgrade soil and bedrock conditions, inspection/documentation of seepage, monitoring of the
placement of engineered fills, and general testing of geotechnical materials including engineered fill, and
concrete.
6. Limitations of Report
The data, conclusions and recommendations which are presented in this geotechnical report, and the
quality thereof, are based on a scope of work authorized by the Client. While we believe the borehole
information to be representative of site conditions, subsurface conditions between and beyond the test
hole locations may vary significantly. If significant differences in the subsurface conditions described
above are found, we should be contacted immediately to revise our findings and recommendations, as
necessary.
The design recommendations provided in this report are intended for designers and should not be
construed as providing instructions to contractors, who should form their own opinions about site
conditions for tending, construction procedures and general planning. GENIVAR accepts no liability for
use of or reliance on the report information by third parties, without express written consent.
Prepared by:
GENIVAR Inc.
Arash Yazdani, B.E.Sc., E.I.T., LEED® G.A. J. Stephen Ash, P. Eng., P. Geo.
Project Manager Consulting Engineer/Business Unit Leader
Borehole Logs
This explanatory section provides the background to assist in the use of the borehole logs. Each of the headings
used on the borehole log, is briefly explained.
DEPTH
This column gives the depth of interpreted geologic contacts in metres below ground surface.
STRATIGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION
This column gives a description of the soil based on a tactile examination of the samples and/or laboratory test
results. Each stratum is described according to the following classification and terminology.
Clay <0.002 mm
Silt 0.002 to 0.06 mm "trace" (e.g. trace sand) <10%
Sand 0.06 to 2 mm "some" (e.g. some sand) 10% - 20%
Gravel 2 to 60 mm adjective (e.g. sandy) 20% - 35%
Cobbles 60 to 200 mm "and" (e.g. and sand) 35% - 50%
Boulders >200 mm noun (e.g. sand) >50%
The use of the geologic term "till" implies that both disseminated coarser grained (sand, gravel, cobbles or boulders)
particles and finer grained (silt and clay) particles may occur within the described matrix.
The compactness of cohesionless soils and the consistency of cohesive soils are defined by the following:
The moisture conditions of cohesionless and cohesive soils are defined as follows.
MONITOR DETAILS
This column shows the position and designation of standpipe and/or piezometer ground water monitors installed in
the borehole. Also the water level may be shown for the date indicated.
Where monitors are placed in separate boreholes, these are shown individually in the "Monitor Details" column.
Otherwise, monitors are in the same borehole. For further data regarding seals, screens, etc., the reader is referred to
the summary of monitor details table.
SAMPLE
These columns describe the sample type and number, the "N" value, the water content, the percentage recovery, and
Rock Quality Designation (RQD), of each sample obtained from the borehole where applicable. The information is
recorded at the approximate depth at which the sample was obtained. The legend for sample type is explained
below.
Where rock drilling was carried out, the term RQD (Rock Quality Designation) is used. The RQD is an indirect
measure of the number of fractures and soundness of the rock mass. It is obtained from the rock cores by summing
the length of core recovered, counting only those pieces of sound core that are 100 mm or more in length. The RQD
value is expressed as a percentage and is the ratio of the summed core lengths to the total length of core run. The
classification based on the RQD value is given below.
TEST DATA
The central section of the log provides graphs which are used to plot selected field and laboratory test results at the
depth at which they were carried out. The plotting scales are shown at the head of the column.
Dynamic Penetration Resistance - The number of blows required to advance a 51 mm diameter, 60º steel cone fitted to
the end of 45 mm OD drill rods, 0.3 m into the subsoil. The cone is driven with a 63.5 kg hammer over a fall of 750
mm.
Standard Penetration Resistance - Standard Penetration Test (SPT) "N" Value - The number of blows required to
advance a 51 mm diameter standard split-spoon sampler 300 mm into the subsoil, driven by means of a 63.5 kg hammer
falling freely a distance of 750 mm. In cases where the split spoon does not penetrate 300 mm, the number of blows
over the distance of actual penetration in millimetres is shown as xBlows
mm
Water Content - The ratio of the mass of water to the mass of oven-dry solids in the soil expressed as a percentage.
WP - Plastic Limit of a fine-grained soil expressed as a percentage as determined from the Atterberg Limit
Test.
WL - Liquid Limit of a fine-grained soil expressed as a percentage as determined from the Atterberg Limit
Test.
REMARKS
The last column describes pertinent drilling details, field observations and/or provides an indication of other field or
laboratory tests that were performed.
270 200 100 60 40 20 10 4 1/4" 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1½" 2" 3"
100
90
80
70
CUMULATIVE PERCENT PASSING
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10
GRAIN SIZE IN MILLIMETRES
MIT Classification System
SILT SAND GRAVEL
CLAY COBBLES
Fine Medium Coarse Fine Medium Coarse Fine Medium Coarse
Project Name: London Street Generating Station Project No.: 111-25780-00 Figure No.: A1
Location ID.: BH02 Sample No./Depth: SS6 / 4.6-5.0m Remarks: Gravel and sand, some silt
PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION
HYDROMETER STANDARD SIEVE SIZES
270 200 100 60 40 20 10 4 1/4" 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1½" 2" 3"
100
90
80
70
CUMULATIVE PERCENT PASSING
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10
GRAIN SIZE IN MILLIMETRES
270 200 100 60 40 20 10 4 1/4" 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1½" 2" 3"
100
90
80
70
CUMULATIVE PERCENT PASSING
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10
GRAIN SIZE IN MILLIMETRES
MIT Classification System
SILT SAND GRAVEL
CLAY COBBLES
Fine Medium Coarse Fine Medium Coarse Fine Medium Coarse
Project Name: London Street Generating Station Project No.: 111-25780-00 Figure No.: A3
Location ID.: BH04 Sample No./Depth: SS7 / 6.1-6.6m Remarks: Sandy silt, some gravel, some clay
PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION
HYDROMETER STANDARD SIEVE SIZES
270 200 100 60 40 20 10 4 1/4" 3/8" 1/2" 3/4" 1" 1½" 2" 3"
100
90
80
70
CUMULATIVE PERCENT PASSING
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10
GRAIN SIZE IN MILLIMETRES
MIT Classification System
SILT SAND GRAVEL
CLAY COBBLES
Fine Medium Coarse Fine Medium Coarse Fine Medium Coarse
Core Photographs
Geotechnical Investigation Report
London Street Generating Station, Peterborough, Ontario
Photograph 2: BH-05. Bedrock core from 9.1 m to 18.7 m depth (core runs out of order in photograph).
Appendix C
Change in Water
Elapsed Time (min) Depth to Water (m) h/ho
Level, h (m)
1.0
Recovery
h/ho
0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50
ELAPSED TIME (minutes)
1.0
37% Recovery
Recovery
To
h/ho
0.1
0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
ELAPSED TIME (minutes)