Shotcrete Retaining Wall & Drainage System - 2095 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver
2095 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC
Apartment Building Retaining Wall Replacement and Parking Lot Renovation
Shotcrete retaining wall shoring, drainage system installation, asphalt repaving, and new stairway construction
Project Background
Failure of the wall posed serious risks: collapse onto vehicles or pedestrians, and loss of foundation support for the building itself. Immediate intervention was critical.
Challenges
The retaining wall could not simply be removed because it supported the building.
The perimeter drainage system was damaged and not managing rainwater properly, causing hydraulic pressure buildup.
The parking area asphalt needed removal and recycling.
The wall required shoring to prevent leaning and settling.
A new drainage system had to be installed behind the wall.
A new stairway was needed to connect the parking lot to the building walkway.
Our Solution
Asphalt Removal and Recycling
We removed and recycled the old asphalt parking area to prepare for repaving after wall and drainage work.
Drainage Testing and Installation
We tested the existing drainage system buried between the building and retaining wall. Trenches were excavated using heavy equipment and manual labor to install a new drainage line behind the retaining wall, ensuring proper water management.
Retaining Wall Shoring with Support Rods
To stabilize the wall and support the building’s weight, we drilled and installed steel rods 15 feet into the soil beneath the apartment. These rods were anchored and tied into the reinforcing mesh and rebar of the new shotcrete wall addition.
Shotcrete Retaining Wall Application
An additional shotcrete retaining wall was applied over the existing structure to provide fresh support and a new finished face. Shotcrete was sprayed onto the reinforced wall surface, then finished quickly before hardening.
Stairway Construction
A new concrete stairway was formed and poured on the east side of the parking lot, providing safe access from the parking area to the building walkway.
Asphalt Repaving
Once the wall and stairway were complete, the parking lot was repaved with fresh asphalt, restoring a smooth, safe surface for residents.
Project Highlights
- Structural shoring of existing retaining wall with 15-foot deep steel support rods
- Installation of new drainage system to relieve hydraulic pressure
- Shotcrete application to reinforce and refresh the retaining wall face
- Complete removal and recycling of old asphalt parking surface
- New concrete stairway for improved resident access
- Fresh asphalt repaving of parking lot
- Safety and structural integrity ensured for building and residents
The Outcome
This comprehensive project stabilized a critical retaining wall supporting an apartment building, eliminated flooding risks by upgrading drainage, and restored the parking area with new asphalt and access stairs.
Residents can now park safely without risk of wall collapse, and the building’s foundation remains secure. The fresh shotcrete wall face and new stairway also enhance the property’s appearance and functionality.
