Nanisivik Naval Facility, NU

LOCATION: Strathcona Sound, Northern Baffin Island

YEAR: 2010 - 2015

ROLE: Geotechnical Investigation

CATEGORY: Geotechnical Engineering

Nanisivik Naval Facility, NU

LOCATION: Strathcona Sound, Northern Baffin Island

YEAR: 2010 - 2015

ROLE: Geotechnical Investigation

CATEGORY: Geotechnical Engineering

Located in the Strathcona Sound, Northern Baffin Island, the Nanisivik Naval Facility is a repurposed mine load-out facility. HGC personnel carried out various aspects of the project, including geotechnical programs (2011, 2012, and 2015) for the dock reconstruction, proposed tank farm and facility infrastructure. The field investigations consisted of drilling 22 land-based boreholes to depths of 6 to 100 m, a marine borehole to a depth of 35 m and the excavation of 17 test pits. Project challenges included difficult drilling conditions due to permafrost, presence of coarse grained soils and a stipulation that drilling mud could not be used due to environmental concerns. Slope inclinometers and thermistors were installed in many of the boreholes upon to monitor dock movements and permafrost profiles.