Waterproofing Beneath the City: Protecting Toronto’s Strachan Avenue tunnel

To accommodate the transportation needs of Toronto’s increasing population, Metrolinx—Ontario’s crown agency responsible for integrative transportation planning in the region—decided to raise Strachan Avenue by almost 2 m (6.5 ft), allowing it to pass over the GO Train rail corridor, providing a smoother traffic flow. Simultaneously, the rail corridor was also lowered by 8 m (26 ft) below Strachan. Additionally, in order to accommodate the lowered rail line, the existing sewage tunnel was lowered by about 500 m (1641 ft).

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Building taller with carbon fibre hoisting technology

Urbanization is the leading growth catalyst for cities, economies, and technologies around the world. More than half the global population already lives in urban areas, and the United Nations estimates by 2030, five billion people will be living in cities—up from 3.6 billion in 2010. According to Statistics Canada, 81 per cent of the population already lives in urban areas—a figure rising steadily year after year.

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The ultimate source of wasted energy

When it comes to green building, two particular questions are always at the forefront of any financial decision: Is there an additional cost? What is the expected return on investment (ROI)? With respect to energy efficiency, the single most cost-effective and profitable thing to do is recycle energy already being wasted.

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Hockey arena scores with VOC-scavenging gypsum board

Gypsum board has contributed to a more sustainable and durable interior for the Palais des Sports Léopold-Drolet, a 47-year-old multi-purpose sports arena in Sherbrooke, Québec. The remodel, completed this past summer, included use of durable gypsum board that actively removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) circulating indoors, trapping them inside the material.

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‘Testing’ versus ‘listing’

Concerns regarding the difference between ‘testing’ and ‘listing’ (or ‘certifying’) continue to be discussed and debated across Canada. Both the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) and the various provincial and territorial codes mandate products meet test standards designed to provide specific levels of product quality and performance. This article attempts to highlight and clarify some of the misconceptions regarding product testing and listings, why listings are necessary, and how to avoid potential liabilities.

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