Geotechnical Engineering

Dr. Oswell has worked on numerous geotechnical projects in western and northern Canada, and internationally for over 35 years.  Many of these projects involved site investigations, laboratory testing, extensive analysis and evaluation.  He has undertaken numerous forensic investigations for a variety of projects including pipelines, slope stability, building foundations and excavations.  He has supervised technical and junior engineering personnel in the field, laboratory and office.  He has experience in deep foundations and excavations for high-rise office structures, large indus­trial foundations, pipelines, permafrost, and slope stability.

Specific project experience is provided below:

Engine Test Facility, Moscow, Russia:  Project manager for a geotechnical investigation and foundation report for proposed engine test units in a heavy equipment factory.  Coordinated field work and laboratory testing, analysis of Russian CPT and laboratory data, and preparation of recommendations for piled and raft foundations.

Didsbury School, Didsbury, Alberta:  Project engineer responsible for field investigations, preparation of foundation report, detailing foundation alternatives and onsite foundation inspections.

Hotel Development, Canmore, Alberta:  Design engineer responsible for field investigation and report preparation, including foundations and slope stability assessment.  This large complex was proposed to be constructed on a slope overlooking the Town of Canmore and the Bow River Valley.

Gas Plant, Fort St. John, BC:  Design engineer responsible for field investigation and report preparation for a remote gas plant in northeastern British Columbia.

Diesel Electric Generating Station, Yellowknife, NWT:  Design engineer responsible for foundation investigation for a major expansion of the Jackfish Lake generating station.  Project required assessment of potentially liquefiable sands, conducting cone penetration tests, and consideration of geological processes and lake bathometry.

Oilfield Waste Incineration Facility, Big Valley, Alberta:  Design engineer responsible for planning and supervision of the field program, and preparation of the geotechnical report that included foundation schemes and contaminant containment systems.

Gas Compressor Project, Cochrane, Alberta:  Project manager and design engineer responsible for geotechnical investigation, review of previous data, coordination of electrical resistivity studies, development of foundation parameters (including piles and shallow footings) and lateral load calculations for piles.

Bankers Hall Litigation, Calgary, Alberta:  Provided technical review, guidance and advice to legal counsel for $23 million dollar litigation.  Conducted detailed forensic study of problems, contributory factors and remediation.  Prepared expert witnesses and reviewed testimony of all technical witnesses.  Attended approximately 100 days in court.

Morguard Tower, Calgary, Alberta:  Senior project engineer responsible for geotechnical aspects of foundation design and excavation shoring.  Project entailed excavation to a depth approaching 15 m, with construction of a 16-floor tower.

Bankers Hall Phase II, Calgary, Alberta:  Senior project engineer responsible for all geotechnical aspects of construction of a 16 m deep underground parkade and analysis of interaction between existing and proposed structures, including construction of the 40-storey West Tower.