Case Study Overview
How Rimkus Delivered Construction Observation for a Five-Phase Asphalt Parking Lot and Driveway Rehabilitation, Concrete Curb and Sidewalk Reconstruction, Catch Basin Adjustments, and Speed Bump Installation at an Occupied Residential Housing Property in Hamilton, Ontario
A Rimkus Pavement Engineering engagement delivered construction observation services for a 2020 pavement rehabilitation and concrete works program at a residential housing property in Hamilton, Ontario on behalf of Victoria Park Community Homes. The five-phase program addressed end-of-life asphalt across parking areas and driveways, concrete curb and island reconstruction, concrete sidewalk replacement, catch basin moduloc adjustments, and speed bump installation. Rimkus conducted a pre-construction meeting and 14 observation visits from July through October 2020, coordinated third-party geotechnical field testing at critical construction milestones, and documented construction progress through to final walkthrough.
Who this is for: Residential housing providers, non-profit housing corporations, municipal housing authorities, condominium corporations, and property managers planning parking lot and driveway pavement rehabilitation, concrete works, or multi-phase site improvement programs on occupied residential properties requiring independent construction observation, geotechnical testing coordination, and documented construction records for warranty, dispute avoidance, and asset management purposes.
What We Did
- Provided construction observation for a five-phase pavement rehabilitation and concrete works program: asphalt removal and replacement across parking areas and driveways, concrete curb and island reconstruction, concrete sidewalk replacement, catch basin moduloc adjustments, speed bump installation, and line marking.
- Conducted a pre-construction meeting on June 1, 2020 and 14 observation visits from July 7 through October 8, 2020, documenting construction progress and coordinating third-party geotechnical field testing at every critical milestone.
- Reviewed asphalt delivery tickets to verify material compliance, directed corrective actions for construction issues identified during observation visits, and confirmed all scope items complete at the final walkthrough on October 8, 2020.
How We Helped
- Identified and directed resolution of key construction issues including the absence of geotechnical testing during initial granular base preparation, an unrequested concrete curb removal requiring client confirmation, and the need for galvanized wire mesh reinforcement in sidewalks per Victoria Park Community Homes standards.
- Coordinated third-party geotechnical field testing at critical milestones including compaction testing on granular base, asphalt compaction and sampling at each lift, and concrete air, slump, and sampling tests during curb, sidewalk, and catch basin pad placements.
- Reviewed asphalt delivery tickets at the point of placement to verify that material met specified quality standards and OPSD requirements before installation proceeded, providing Victoria Park Community Homes with documented quality assurance at every phase.
|
SERVICE LINE |
SECTOR |
LOCATION |
ENGAGEMENT LEAD |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Pavement Engineering |
Residential Housing / Non-Profit Housing |
Hamilton, Ontario |
Aravind Perumalsamy, M.Eng., P.Eng., PMP®, LEED GA — Rimkus BES, Canada |
|
14 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
OBSERVATION VISITS |
PHASES |
ASPHALT LIFTS |
PRE-CON MEETING |
What Was the Challenge? Multi-Phase Pavement Rehabilitation at an Occupied Residential Housing Property
A residential housing property in Hamilton, Ontario managed by Victoria Park Community Homes required comprehensive pavement rehabilitation and concrete works. The existing asphalt across parking areas and driveways had reached the end of its useful life, concrete curbs, islands, and sidewalks required reconstruction, catch basins required adjustment, and speed bumps required reinstatement.
The rehabilitation program was organized into five construction phases to maintain resident access throughout, with phases covering driveways and concrete work in the first two phases, and asphalt base and surface courses across the site in the remaining phases. The multi-trade, multi-phase program required independent construction observation at every critical milestone to verify that specified materials and installation standards were met.
Victoria Park Community Homes retained Rimkus to provide independent construction observation, coordinate third-party geotechnical testing, and document construction progress from pre-construction meeting through final walkthrough.
“Independent construction observation on a multi-phase residential pavement program means verifying the right materials are placed in the right sequence at every phase. On this project, 14 observation visits from July through October 2020 provided Victoria Park Community Homes with a documented record of every lift, every concrete pour, and every corrective action.” – Aravind Perumalsamy, Practice Leader, Pavement Engineering
Technical Scope: Systems Addressed Across Two Construction Phases
The 2021 rehabilitation program addressed the following systems across Phase 1 and Phase 2, with Rimkus providing construction observation oversight throughout:
- Asphalt Sidewalk and Roadway Rehabilitation: Removal of existing asphalt sidewalks and roadway areas across Phase 1 and Phase 2 scope; supply and placement of binder course asphalt and surface course asphalt to specified grades; asphalt sidewalk reinstatement at residential unit frontages.
- Concrete Steps: Removal of existing concrete steps; supply and placement of new 32 MPa concrete steps at residential unit frontages across Phase 1 and Phase 2 residential unit frontages.
- Concrete Sidewalks: Removal of existing concrete sidewalks; supply and placement of new 32 MPa concrete sidewalks to specified grades; concrete tactile depressed sidewalk at key accessible locations.
- Accessibility Ramps: Placement of new concrete ramp with railing at residential unit frontages requiring accessibility improvements in Phase 1 and Phase 2; formwork and casting to specified construction standards.
- Granular Base Preparation: Supply and compaction of 19 mm crusher run limestone granular base in Phase 2 rehabilitation areas before binder course asphalt placement; grading to specified tolerances.
- Catch Basin Improvements: Installation of subdrains around existing catch basin; catch basin frost treatment; installation of new catch basin frame and grate to match new pavement grades.
- Concrete Curb Works: Concrete curb works completed across Phase 2 scope areas.
- Line Marking: Reinstatement of pavement line markings across Phase 1 scope areas following surface course asphalt completion.
- Traffic Management: Reflective construction cones, caution tape, and signage maintained throughout both construction phases to maintain resident access and safety.
Note on Methods and Limitations
Observation reports (OR) are intended to comment only on operations and items that were visible or being undertaken at the time of each site visit. They do not constitute continuous inspection of the work. The contractor remains solely responsible for on-site health and safety, construction techniques, and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The Process: Pre-Construction Meeting and 14 Observation Visits
Rimkus conducted a pre-construction meeting on June 1, 2020, and 14 observation visits from July 7 through October 8, 2020, coordinating geotechnical testing at critical construction milestones.
- Pre-Construction Meeting (June 1, 2020): Pre-construction meeting held with Victoria Park Community Homes and contractor to review scope, phasing, quality control requirements, and site logistics before mobilization.
- OR1 (July 7, 2020): Contractor mobilized; existing asphalt removal commenced; grading work underway. Granular base moisture appeared dry. Contractor instructed to arrange geotechnical testing for compaction verification and to schedule testing for asphalt and concrete works per OPSD standards.
- OR2 (July 10, 2020): Contractor removed localized curbs for repair; concrete island work completed. Base preparation and grading continuing.
- OR3 (July 14, 2020): Concrete curb and island work completed. Grading work in progress across asphalt rehabilitation areas.
- OR4 (July 15, 2020): HL8 binder course asphalt paving underway at residential unit driveways. Base asphalt found compacted and graded properly to accommodate specified asphalt thickness. Asphalt delivery ticket reviewed to verify material quality and specification compliance. Contractor notified to follow quality control testing per OPSD standards.
- OR5 (July 22, 2020): Excavation complete in scope areas. An unrequested concrete curb removal was identified and flagged to the client; contractor directed to provide written justification for the removal, with Rimkus noting the likely cause as curb deterioration discovered during excavation.
- OR6 (July 28, 2020): Catch basin moduloc adjustments observed and found to be in accordance with specifications. Forming works for new concrete curbs underway. Contractor directed to schedule concrete testing company before concrete curb placement.
- OR7 (July 30, 2020): Concrete curb and sidewalk repair works completed to provincial standards. Formwork removed. Concrete island work confirmed complete.
- OR8 (August 5, 2020): HL3 binder course asphalt completed and compacted in first rehabilitation area. Grading and forming works commenced on second area of residential property. Contractor directed to schedule geotechnical testing for compliance with provincial design standards.
- OR9 (August 7, 2020): Excavation and grading underway for curb and sidewalk works in second area. Contractor directed to use galvanized wire mesh reinforcement in sidewalks per Victoria Park Community Homes standards.
- OR10 (August 12, 2020): Concrete curb and sidewalk placement completed. Third-party geotechnical technician on site for concrete testing.
- OR11 (August 14, 2020): Base course asphalt placement complete across remaining residential area. Contraction joint cuts performed in concrete. Third-party geotechnical testing confirmed base course results satisfactory to specification requirements.
- OR12 (August 17, 2020): Asphalt saw cut to accommodate concrete pads around catch basins. Forming work for concrete pads complete. CSA 32 MPa, C-2 concrete placed; third-party geotechnical testing performed and confirmed results within specification.
- OR13 (October 6, 2020): Surface course asphalt placed in driveways. Third-party geotechnical sampling and gradation testing on surface course asphalt. Contractor directed to submit field testing reports and material test results to Victoria Park Community Homes.
- Final Walkthrough (October 8, 2020): Surface course asphalt complete across all scope areas. Line marking underway for walkways and parking spaces. Contractor directed to follow provincial and Victoria Park Community Homes standards for line painting and related works.
Key Observations and Corrective Directions
|
Observation |
Report |
Direction and Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
Geotechnical testing not arranged for initial base preparation; granular base moisture appeared dry |
OR1 (July 7, 2020) |
Contractor directed to arrange geotechnical testing for compaction verification and to schedule testing for asphalt and concrete works per OPSD standards; testing confirmed in subsequent visits |
|
Asphalt delivery ticket review at HL8 binder course placement |
OR4 (July 15, 2020) |
Delivery ticket reviewed at time of placement to verify material quality and specification compliance; contractor notified to follow quality control testing procedures per OPSD standards |
|
Unrequested concrete curb removal identified during excavation |
OR5 (July 22, 2020) |
Flagged to client; contractor directed to provide justification; Rimkus noted likely cause as curb deterioration during excavation, requiring confirmation from contractor before proceeding with replacement |
|
Contractor to schedule concrete testing before curb placement |
OR6 (July 28, 2020) |
Contractor directed to schedule third-party concrete testing company before concrete curb placement proceeds; testing technician confirmed on site at subsequent visits |
|
Sidewalk reinforcement per Victoria Park Community Homes standards |
OR9 (August 7, 2020) |
Contractor directed to use galvanized wire mesh reinforcement in sidewalks as required by VPH standards and tender documents |
|
Geotechnical testing for second rehabilitation area |
OR8 (August 5, 2020) |
Contractor directed to schedule geotechnical testing to verify compliance with provincial design standards for second area; technician confirmed present at OR10 and OR11 |
|
Base course asphalt results verified by geotechnical testing |
OR11 (August 14, 2020) |
Third-party geotechnical testing results confirmed base course satisfactory to specification requirements; IRC requested all field testing reports from client for review |
|
CSA 32 MPa C-2 concrete for catch basin pads tested and confirmed |
OR12 (August 17, 2020) |
Third-party geotechnical testing performed during catch basin pad concrete placement; results confirmed within specification |
The Value Delivered
Documented construction record across five phases and 14 visits. Fourteen observation reports from pre-construction through final walkthrough provided Victoria Park Community Homes with a documented record of asphalt placement, concrete works, catch basin adjustments, and speed bump installation at every phase. The independent account is separate from the contractor’s own records and covers every directive and corrective action taken during the program.
Material compliance verified at the point of placement. Asphalt delivery tickets were reviewed at the time of placement to verify material quality before installation proceeded. Third-party geotechnical testing at every critical milestone (granular base compaction, asphalt compaction and sampling at each lift, and concrete air, slump, and sampling tests) provided documented evidence that specified materials met required standards at each phase.
Construction deficiencies identified and directed for correction. Key deficiencies including absent geotechnical testing, an unrequested curb removal, and missing sidewalk reinforcement were identified through observation visits and formally directed for resolution before subsequent work proceeded. Each was documented in writing, giving Victoria Park Community Homes a clear record of the issue, the direction given, and the outcome.
Phased program maintained resident access throughout construction. Five construction phases were organized to maintain resident access to parking and driveways throughout the program, with traffic management documentation confirming contractor adherence to hoarding requirements and signage placement at every visit.
Why Rimkus Built Environment Solutions
Pavement rehabilitation and concrete works on an occupied residential housing property require construction observation that verifies materials at the point of placement, coordinates geotechnical testing at the right milestones, and provides the housing provider with a written record of every directive and every outcome. Rimkus Pavement Engineering brings independent expertise in asphalt and concrete observation, material compliance verification, and geotechnical testing coordination to residential housing programs of all scales across Canada.
Rimkus Pavement Engineering serves residential housing providers, non-profit housing corporations, municipal housing authorities, condominium corporations, property managers, and institutional asset managers requiring technical consulting for parking lot and driveway pavement rehabilitation, condition assessments, design and specification, construction observation, and geotechnical testing coordination across residential and commercial properties throughout Canada.
Key Takeaways for Residential Housing Providers and Property Managers
What Every Residential Housing Provider Should Know About Pavement Rehabilitation and Concrete Works Programs
- Reviewing asphalt delivery tickets at the point of placement is a core part of independent construction observation on pavement programs. Material delivered to site may not match specifications: verifying the ticket before placement proceeds protects the owner against installation of non-conforming asphalt.
- Third-party geotechnical testing at every critical milestone (granular base compaction, asphalt compaction and sampling at each lift, and concrete air and slump testing) provides documented evidence of material compliance that the owner can rely on for warranty and asset management purposes.
- Unanticipated scope changes discovered during construction, such as deteriorated curbs requiring removal, should be formally documented, justified by the contractor in writing, and confirmed by the client before replacement work proceeds. Independent observation provides the owner with a documented record that scope changes were properly authorized.
- Multi-phase pavement rehabilitation requires careful coordination to maintain resident access throughout. Traffic management, hoarding, and working area documentation at every observation visit confirms that the contractor is following the phasing plan and maintaining safe access for residents and vehicles.
- Galvanized wire mesh reinforcement in concrete sidewalks is a standard requirement that protects long-term pavement performance. Verifying that reinforcement specifications are met before concrete is placed is a function that independent observation provides at no additional cost to the program.
Related Services
- Pavement Engineering
- Parking Lot and Driveway Rehabilitation
- Construction Observation
- Pavement Condition Assessments
- Design, Specifications and Tender Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Connect with Our Expert
Aravind Perumalsamy, M.Eng., P.Eng., PMP®, LEED GA
Practice Leader, Pavement Engineering
+1 647 231 1244
[email protected]
View Aravind’s Expert Profile
Aravind holds a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Carleton University and a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation from PMI. His expertise covers pavement observation, geotechnical investigation, drainage assessment, cost estimation, tender analysis, and award recommendation, with contributions to large-scale highway construction, condominium development, and parking lot pavement programs.
This case study is intended to provide general information and insights into prevailing industry practices. It is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, technical, or professional advice. The content does not replace consultation with a qualified expert or professional regarding the specific facts and circumstances of any particular matter.