Pacific Blasting & Demolition Ltd. specializes in blasting for; housing subdivisions, quarrying, highways, railways, pipelines, utilities, underwater applications, metal hardening, explosive compaction of soils, and demolition blasting. We are recognized as industry leaders in our field, employing the latest in “state of the art” technology. We are recognized worldwide for our close-in blasting expertise as well as our commitment to safety, quality, productivity, and professionalism.
Urban Blasting – Our clients can draw on over 50 years experience with close-in controlled blasting expertise. Blasting operations are routinely carried out for the construction of high rise buildings in the downtown core, where blasting must be carried out close to people and right next to structures. All blasts are engineered to ensure minimal vibration effects. We are also recognized for our expertise in residential and utilities blasting. All blasts are covered with blasting mats and seismic monitoring is carried out at the closest structures.
Demolition Blasting – Pacific’s blasters have experience with carrying out select demolition from blasting of machine bases inside operating plants right up to implosion of high rise structures in the downtown core. Expertise includes the demolition blasting of buildings, smoke stacks, silos, towers, bridge piers, dock structures, etc.
Underwater Blasting – Pacific Blasting is the most experienced underwater blasting contractor on the west coast of Canada. We have performed projects for the construction of docks, bridges, ship loading facilities, outfalls, and various underwater demolition projects including removal of reefs and other hazards to navigation. Computer blast designs and installation of bubble curtains are used to minimize or eliminate any damage to the environment. We work closely with Fisheries Canada guidelines and environmental monitors to minimize impact on the environment and stay within established regulatory guidelines.
Explosive Metal Hardening – We have developed techniques for the explosive hardening of metals that dramatically improve the wear characteristics and prolong the life of metal components. The majority of the manganese steel railway frogs used in North America are hardened using the EDH system at our facility located southeast of Chilliwack, BC. Typical hardness increase from 155 up to 300 Brinell can be easily achieved.
Non-Explosive Rock Removal – Hydraulic splitting is often used for removal of bedrock or boulders where the use of explosives can not be carried out. Darda rock splitters are used for this purpose. We are also experienced in the use of expanding grouts for rock removal as well as the use of pyrotechnic systems such as RocKracker, Nonex, and the Boulder Buster system. Crews carry out this work on a daily basis.
Explosive Compaction of Soils – In conjunction with Explosive Compaction Inc., we have extensive experience with the use of explosives for soil stability improvement. We have carried out projects for the densification of foundation soils for the construction of dams, bridges, highways, industrial building sites, and oil drilling platforms. The technique is used to improve the stability of soils to resist liquefaction in the event of an earthquake. Sequential blasting techniques are used to compact soils to improve bearing capacity and reduce volume. Relative density increases of 70%-80% can be achieved. The technique can be used to increase storage capacity behind tailings dams. In conjunction with ECI, we have also developed a technique for liquefaction evaluation of foundation soils. Explosive compaction is an economic alternative to other more traditional soil improvement techniques.
