Tufts Cove Cooling Water Intake Structure, Floating Analysis
Location: Halifax, NS
Client: Dexter Construction
Duration: 2009
Approximate Value: $1.0 M
Key Staff: Robbie Fraser, Greg MacDonald
Project Description
As part of an overall circulating water improvement at the Nova Scotia Power Tufts Cove site in Halifax Harbour, NS Dexter Construction engaged Harbourside Engineering Consultants to conduct a floating analysis of the large concrete intake structure that was fabricated on the Halifax side of the Harbour but needed to be floated into position at the Tufts Cove site (the Dartmouth side of Halifax Harbour).
Harbourside’s Role
Due to the geometery of the intake structure, Harbourside determined that it would not remain level during the floating operation, and there would be insufficient draft at high water to install the structure on the pre-installed rock mattress at the site. HEC used large float bags to level the structure during the floating operation, thereby creating 250 mm (approximately 10”) of clearance between the underside of the floating structure and the rock mattress at high tide. This was just enough to allow the structure to be floated into position unimpeded. The use of float bags also limited the amount of temporary works or ballasting required to level the structure to ensure sufficient draft.
Harbourside also designed temporary bulkheads to seal holes in the lower part of the structure to allow for the floating transport.
Unique Challenges
Ensuring the structure remained level was one of the primary challenges for this project. It required innovation and creative thinking with solution-focused mindset.
Social Impact
Tufts Cove provides essential power throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality. The proper monitoring and maintenance of its water cooling intake structure ensures that the facilities are operating efficiently, and that the lights stay on for Haligonians.