Nanaimo Manufacturer Earns International Recognition
Nanaimo, BC, January 24, 2012, 2012: A unique retaining wall system manufactured by Nanaimo’s ABC Precast and Ready Mix Ltd. has been selected as the top residential retaining wall project in the world for 2011 by Redi-Rock International.
ABC has been manufacturing Redi-Rock retaining wall systems here on Vancouver Island for the past nine years. Each year, over 130 Redi-Rock manufacturers from around the world compete to have their projects chosen for the prestigious “Rocky Awards”. This year, a beautiful seaside retaining wall in Mill Bay which was built using the locally manufactured blocks was voted as the world’s best residential project and will now be featured in a series of industry magazines.
“It feels great for a local manufacturer to earn international recognition” says Brian Fillmore, who heads up ABC’s Redi-Rock sales here on Vancouver Island. Brian will be heading to San Antonio Texas on February 4th to receive the prestigious international award.
–END-
Engineered Protection:
Reinforced Ledgestone Walls Protect Ocean-Front Home
THE CHALLENGE:
When BC home developer Cam Pringle started building his own ocean-front home on Vancouver Island, he needed a sea wall that could protect his new home from the ocean below.
“I wanted something that was engineerable—so that I could have a stamp saying it wasn’t going to fall down, as compared to just a boulder stacked wall,” Pringle explained.
Searching for a solution, Pringle worked with local engineering firm Lewkowich Engineering Associates Ltd. to find the best solution for the project. “A lot of clients don’t put that much effort into their seaward walls, but this particular client wanted to do an above-average job because that’s the type of work he does,” explained John Hessels, managing partner of Lewkowich Engineering.
THE SOLUTION:
Two key factors led Pringle and Hessels to choose Redi-Rock for the project:
- · Structural integrity: “From our perspective as geotechnical engineers, we find it to be the best mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall,” Hessels said. “It provides a good barrier between the home and the ocean.”
Redi-Rock walls are built using massive, 1-ton blocks that stack like giant Lego blocks. This project was reinforced using geogrid to provide extra stability to account for seismic loads and proximity to the ocean. Several courses of block were also buried.
- · Aesthetics: “I wanted a bulkier look, and the Ledgestone face looked totally natural to me,” Pringle explained. The excellent display at local Redi-Rock retailer ABC Precast and Ready Mix Ltd. made choosing Ledgestone an easy decision. The Ledgestone face features an incredibly natural texture that makes individual blocks in a wall hard to distinguish.
“It was a really good fit aesthetically and that married up well with the upscale buildings on the lot,” added Hessels.
The reinforced sea wall designed for the project included two 10-ft. tall tiers. In addition to the tiered walls, Ledgestone was also used to create low retaining walls around an outdoor fireplace and kitchen area.
THE OUTCOME:
What does Cam Pringle think of the Redi-Rock walls now that they’re complete? “I think they’re great; I love them,” he said.
Hessels echoed Pringle’s opinion, saying: “It was the best mechanically stabilized wall for the project. From our perspective geotechnically, it’s a very good wall.”
|