Downtown underground power projects continually face challenges with space and time, making turnkey solutions a welcome consideration. The Knelsen Precast Modular vault design is used under city sidewalks to house large transformers needed to power surrounding buildings. This design allows for flexibility in length, grade level, and surface finish while also clearing bridge decks, elevated guideways, and tight city streets during transport to the site. The end results are accelerated installation, reduced surface disturbance, and flexibility in surface finish.

Project specifications

• Product — Modular Vault
• Size (Ends) — L: 2.56M x W: 2.45M x H: 3.0M
• Size (Middle) — L: 2.56M x W: 2.75M x H: 3.0M
• Rebar Projection — H: 480mm
• Connection — HSS
• Ducts / Openings — as Required
• Traffic Load — 80% of CL-625
• Production Days — 4-Piece 10 Days
• Installation Days — 4 Hours

Knelsen Precast offers a simple, fast, and effective solution to the installation of concrete-encased duct banks with the use of precast duct banks. These are generally cast in 3-meter lengths for easy handling and offered in multiple configurations—using 4, 5, 6, or 8-inch pipes. This precast solution will minimize onsite workers and traffic closures while enabling same-day excavation and backfill versus onsite rebar assembly, casting, and curing. Additionally, precast quality and in-house testing provide improved product performance and fitment on-site while also contributing to improved safety by reducing open excavation and the number of workers in the trench.

Project specifications:

• Project Type — Underground Electrical Utility
• Contractor — Manitoba Hydro
• Product — Precast Concrete Duct Bank
• Configuration — 3 x 4 (with 4-Inch DBII Duct)
• Traffic Load Rating — CL-625

The Knelsen Precast plant has been producing standard and custom precast steps for key developers and builders throughout Alberta for more than 20 years. Each step is cast in steel forms, producing a high-quality finish and dimensional accuracy. Our forming systems allow for flexibility in dimensions, while our in-house team delivers design considerations and drafting support to meet simple or complex project needs for a wide range of use cases.

Product specifications:

• 1 Piece Steps — 1 to 6 Rise Max (up to 16’ Wide)
• 1 Piece Stair Wells — 2 to 6 Rise Max (up to 4’ Wide)
• 1 Piece Decks — Max Dimensions: L: 13’ x W: 9’ x H: 5’
• Window Wells — Max Dimensions: L: 8’ x W: 3’ x H: 3’
• Optional Steps — Call for more information
• Surface Finishes — Etched, Exposed, Broom & Smooth
• Colours — Standard Grey or Custom

Knelsen has contributed to several key underground electrical utility projects throughout Western Canada. Most recently, our Precast Division worked on the new 30-acre, 304,000 sq. ft. plant owned and operated by SOFINA Foods in Calgary. This project required four large electrical vaults on-site, as well additional offsite vaults, to deliver power to the new plant. All vaults meet Canadian Traffic loads of CL-625, featuring 6-inch knockouts all around and providing maximum flexibility for current and future needs.

Project included:

• Product — Precast Electrical Vault
• Vault Dimensions — L: 2800mm x W: 4040mm x H 2374mm
• Duct Terminators — 152mm (6”)
• Pulling Irons — 25mm (1") Galvanized
• Concrete Mix — Sulphate Resistant Concrete
• Soil Cover — 700mm
• Traffic Load Rating — CL-625
• Production Days — 1 Vault per Day
• Set-Up/Placement — 3 Hours per Vault

The City of Calgary LRT bridge design called for the use of precast concrete deck panels in tandem with cast-in-place elements for accelerated construction and long-term durability. These panels were constructed off-site under controlled conditions within our precast plant and brought to the bridge site ready to be installed and connected. The benefits of using these precast full-depth bridge deck panels include high-quality durable materials, minimal on-site construction, and increased safety for construction crews.

Project specifications:

• Contractor — PCL Construction
• Product — Precast Concrete Deck Panels
• Concrete Mix — City of Calgary HPC Mix Design
• Reinforcement — Full Stainless-Steel Rebar
• Rebar Volume — 210 kg. per Cubic Meter of Concrete
• Design Feature — Offset Rebar Connection
• Piece Size — 5000mm x 2500mm x 275mm
• Piece No. — 42
• Installation — 6 Days

Knelsen’s Precast division is proud to have been selected as the supplier of precast wall panels, featuring various architectural finishes, for the new Calgary Farmers Market building located in the northwest community of Greenwich. The new buildings will support over 70 local, family-owned businesses, including a variety of amenities.

Project specifications:

• Designer — Stantec
• Contractor — Clark Builders
• Installer — Con-Steel Ltd.
• Project Type — Commercial Retail Building
• Building Style — Recessed Facades, Arches, and Towers
• Building Size — 61,645 Sq. Ft.
• Product — Insulated Wall Panels & Spandrels
• Panel Finishes — Thin Brick, Textured, and Ribbed Panels
• Panel Specs — 10” Thickness with 4” Insulation
• Max Panel Size — H: 35.5’ x W: 10’
• Reinforcement — Prestressed
• Form Liner (Brick) — Innovative Brick Systems, LLC
• Brick Manufacturing — Summitville Tiles, Inc
• Form Liner (Text) — US Formliner
• Form Liner (Rib) — In-House
• Number of Panels — 214
• Installation Days — 18 Days