The Government of Yukon retained Associated Engineering to provide engineering services for the airfield upgrades at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport to reconstruct Runway 14R-32L to extend the runway life. The Airfield Upgrades Project is currently in the fourth year of a five-year program that includes detailed design, tender, and construction services.

Associated Engineering had previously completed an Options Development Report that identified and evaluated six rehabilitation and reconstruction options for runway 14R-32L that also considered potential scheduling synergies with other airside projects. Deputy Project Manager, Derek Blayney, says, “The preferred option was for full reconstruction of the main runway, with a proposed pavement structure that was designed to provide moderate-level frost protection.”

Associated Engineering completed the pavement design by assessing each section of the runway, while considering the existing pavement structure and subgrade strengths. Runway 14L-32R was also extended and strengthened, as part of the overall phasing plan to facilitate the reconstruction of Runway 14R-32L.

“To minimize the impact on airport operations, we first proposed extending the existing smaller parallel runway to facilitate the reconstruction of the main runway. The runway was extended to accommodate Boeing 737-sized aircrafts that typically use the airport.”

We coordinated with the airlines to confirm that the proposed runway length was suitable for their operations. By completing this work, we have also provided the Government of Yukon with a long-term parallel runway that allows greater flexibility for future maintenance works and during snow-clearing operations.

Associated’s key personnel on this project are Steven Bartsch, Derek Blayney, Dave Anderson, Sang-Hyun Chung, Kerri Hildebrandt, Erin Hamel, Cam McCrea, Christa Luckasavitch, Jaryd Nachtegaele, and Matt Henderson.

The post Full reconstruction and rehabilitation of Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport’s main runways first appeared on Associated Engineering.

Richard Annett is a Senior Structural Engineer based in our Whitehorse office. He has over 30 years of consulting engineering experience on a wide variety of structural and civil projects in Canada and overseas. His structural expertise encompasses a variety of building materials, including timber, masonry, steel, and concrete.

Richard began his career in the UK, after earning a degree in civil engineering from the University of Birmingham. While working to become a chartered engineer, Richard became the youngest person (at the time) to pass the structures exams required to become a member of the Institution of Structural Engineers!

Later, Richard moved to Lusaka, Zambia where he spent six years learning about engineering in developing countries. His next move took him to Papua New Guinea to work as a deputy project manager on an European Union-funded road paving project. Richard then returned to the UK to complete a masters degree in construction management. After his studies, Richard moved to South Wales where he focused on a personal project: designing a deep water, floating wind turbine, with hydrogen as the energy source. He subsequently patented the device.

After working in many hot climates, Richard decided that relocating to a cold climate would be an interesting challenge. In 2012, Richard joined Associated Engineering, and moved to our Whitehorse office. With the company, Richard has worked on projects across the Yukon and Northwest Territories, including design, structural assessments, and rehabilitation of commercial, industrial, municipal, institutional, and residential buildings.

Outside of work, Richard has volunteered with the Yukon Science Institute and helped organize lectures and “bridge breaks”. He also assisted with adjudicating school science projects and the Yukon Quest raft race from Whitehorse to Dawson.

Notwithstanding his professional achievements, Richard tells us his biggest accomplishment is building his house, off the grid in a boreal forest. Living in a cold climate without the convenience of municipal services comes with unique challenges. Richard shares that six kilowatts of solar energy that is more than enough in the summer is insufficient for three months of deep winter, and thus a generator is required. A two kilowatt wind turbine helps to keep the batteries topped up over the winter months. Other low power adaptations are needed, such as high efficiency pumps; heat pumps are being used. Super insulated 600 millimetre thick walls keeps the energy demand low and a grey water system helps minimize water deliveries.

For his contributions to the community and his profession, and living life off the grid in the North, Richard is shaping our shared future.

The post Shaping our Shared Future – Richard Annett first appeared on Associated Engineering.

Associated Engineering is proud to be the Lunch Day 2 Sponsor of this year’s Yukon Water & Wastewater Workshop & Trade Show taking place on October 18th and 19th in Whitehorse! Visit us at the trade show event on October 18th, we’ll be in location T6!

The post Associated supports Yukon Water & Wastewater Workshop & Trade Show first appeared on Associated Engineering.