Capstone projects are academic experiences completed by 4th year students at Carlton and Ottawa Universities as their graduating project. They include feasibility studies, preliminary and final design details, scheduling, and cost estimating by conducting a research assignment on a subject that connects to community issues. They present their conclusions in front of a panel of judges and stakeholders.
Students learn practical approach to the design-build process, safety considerations, design criteria, working with sub-consultants, and making presentations.
REMINSZ engineers have provided mentoring on a number of these projects and are pleased to be able to prepare the next generation of engineers and designers for the careers and challenges ahead of them.
Some of the projects we have been involved with include:
The Prince of Wales Bridge Rehabilitation – This is a multi-span railway bridge crossing the Ottawa River to be upgraded with new tracks, bicycle and pedestrian sidewalks, cross over stairs and a scenic look-out. The project won the top award from the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering with entrants from 19 universities across Canada. The project was also presented to members of Parliament, and the National Capital Commission for their consideration in long term transportation planning within the National Capital Region.
Design of a Small Commuter Train Station – Design of a typical (template style), modular building for a station that could serve a small locality within the National Capital Region, including bus bays, taxi stands, drop off parking area and architectural features.
Support of 3 Facades of a 6-storey Heritage Building – The building was to be demolished, but developers wished to retain the facades to be incorporated into a new 27-storey apartment building in downtown Ottawa. A very complex structural steel support system, deep pipe piles, and bracings was developed. Additional procedures and methods were devised to protect the masonry walls for the duration of demolition and new construction.
Rapid Bridge Replacement – The structural design of a temporary support system on which new bridges can be built and then moved over into place. Work was carried out over railway tracks and deep excavation which precluded the use of wheeled transporters. Complex geometry and slope stability needed to considered during new construction, including how to move the decks. Various kinds of static and dynamic forces had to be considered at various times.
Bridge-Culvert Replacement – The project involved the design for replacement of an old and collapsing 5 m span structural plate corrugated steel pipe arch culvert with a new corrugated steel box. The new structure had a 5.5 m span and was supported on sheet pile row foundations held in place by the friction of the underlying soil. The new bridge-culvert also had gabion basket wingwalls for retention of road backfill.
Excavation Protection System Design – The project involved the detail design of an excavation protection system for a new residential apartment building. The excavation was done partially in soil and then in rock. The total depth of the excavation protection was approx. 10 m. The system utilized drilled piles, walers supported by tie-backs anchored to rock and rakers.