Crib Dam Stabilization Grouting Industry DAY

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Great Lakes and Ohio River Division is hosting a VIRTUAL Industry Day on Friday, February 14, 2024, from 1:00PM to 3:00PM, for small and large businesses for the purpose of discussing the Crib Dam Stabilization Grouting project. This will be a virtual event and an invitation link will be sent to responsive contractors by email.

This virtual event is free. Registration is mandatory. The Government is looking for innovative solutions that can address the various challenges and provide a sustainable and cost-effective approach to the Crib Dam Stabilization Project, specifically, the required grouting.

Background

The Crib Dam structure is a series of interconnected timber cribs filled with waste rock generated during canal construction. It is located on the southern bank of the lower headrace canal for the Soo Locks hydroelectric power plant (also known as the New Power Plant or NPP), located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The purpose of the Crib Dam was to facilitate widening of the headrace canal once the Main Powerhouse was extended, however the second phase of that project was never completed.

The Crib Dam Stabilization Project will require grouting to treat the existing structure to ensure safe evacuations that will prevent excess seepage or instability in the structure, to fill voids to ensure the safe operation of heavy equipment in the area, and to ensure appropriate load transfer and reduce the risks for future differential settlement.

We are looking for innovative solutions that can address challenges and provide a sustainable and cost-effective approach. The purpose of this Industry Day is to share additional information regarding this project and to have an open discussion with contractors to share their experiences, ideas, and suggestions on how to overcome these challenges and successfully complete this project.

Performance criteria and restrictions for the grouting program include:

a) Maintain the damming surface. Avoid premature damage/breaching of the concrete liner.

b) Install a seepage cutoff so the concrete liner cone can be safely penetrated.

c) Grout voids in the rockfill below the concrete liner in the cone area.

d) Grout areas north and west of the Crib Dam to accommodate combination wall installation.

e) Restrictions include:

1. Cannot load or crib across the SSP or the concrete liner slope;

2. Cannot drill from a barge using spuds until final verification; and

3. Cannot disrupt power plant operations.

We would appreciate if you will be able to have a representative from your company participate. To register, email Frederick L Coffey, Frederick.L.Coffey@usace.army.mil and Kari.Tauriainen@uace.army.mil and include “Crib Dam Stabilization Grouting Industry Day” in the subject. The meeting invite will be sent to the email you provide.

Questions may be submitted to Frederick Coffey at Frederick.L.Coffey@usace.army.mil and Kari Tauriainen at Kari.Tauriainen@usace.army.mil.