Sixense North America was retained by the Toronto Tunnel Partners (TTP) to perform environmental, geotechnical, and structural monitoring on North America’s busiest highway corridor (with 21 live lanes) throughout the construction of two new twin tunnels underneath the highways – all without disrupting the continuous traffic flow above.

We designed & deployed a monitoring system based on non-contact technologies (conventional and reflectorless robotic total stations, distance meters), horizontal shape arrays – 4DShape, as well as other structural and environmental instruments to monitor the deformation of the surface and the subgrade of the roadway, the rail tracks, and the subgrade of the rail corridor. Due to Sixense’s specialized devices, the monitoring system was able to achieve the high spatial density and high-frequency monitoring that was required on Highway 401 & 409, while in real-time minimizing interruptions of existing highway traffic and manual readings in heavy traffic areas.

After 6 months of baseline, construction was successfully completed after 2.5 years of structural improvement and excavation. The new tunnels will transform the transportation network in the Greater Toronto Area by providing a rail system that delivers two-way, all-day service every 15 minutes. The project was also recognized as the 2022 Project of the Year over $100 million by the Tunneling Association of Canada.

Some of our other tools that ensured the safety of the traveling public during the construction of this project: In-place Inclinometers, Piezometers, Tiltmeters, and Vibration & Noise Monitoring devices.

Dubai is home of some of the most incredible infrastructure and is recognized worldwide for its impressive constructions. Sixense expertise was required for instrumentation and monitoring services at the Ciel Tower project, the highest hotel in the world, currently under construction.

 

A new iconic tower in the heart of Dubai Marina

 

Since 2016, an impressive project has risen in Dubai Marina, building the highest hotel in the world. This high-end hotel will include a health club, a luxury spa, a restaurant, 1042 luxury suites, rooftop infinity pools along with other facilities. The Ciel Tower is a new supertall skyscraper of over 80 floors and 365m high. Located directly across the world-famous Cayan Tower (76-floors) on the north side of the marina, the Ciel Tower will become a local memorable landmark with an estimated handover date in 2023.

 

A complex situation on site

 

The close proximity with surrounding structures and the congested urban area, including one of the main RTA Marina bridges, brought several challenges to the project. It was indispensable to set an adapted instrumentation and monitoring system during the construction phases.

Sixense provides during the construction early warnings of any excessive and undue movements of adjoining premises and structures and ensures project safety with its 24/7 monitoring system and Geoscope 7 Software, sending information about movements exceeding the expected levels to the required parties. During the excavation phase, settlement, deflection and deformation data were provided in order to verify the initial designs of the permanent structure but also the temporary works supporting the excavation. Eventually, Sixense also monitored ground movements.

Periodic monitoring data reports have been provided to the contractors, consultants and RTA throughout the project.

Zetas, contracted for Enabling Works, entrusted Sixense with the instrumentation and monitoring of the ground and the structures in and around the site. Dutch Foundation, later contracted for foundation changes, recognized Sixense’s track record of delivering success for the project.