Tunnelling Association of Canada
Association canadienne des tunnels
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IMAGE: Evergreen Line Tunnel, Coquitlam, BC, 2015
Calendar of Events
Year: Region:
Date Location Event Contact
May 07, 2025Steamworks Brewpub – Uber Room, 375 Water St., Vancouver, BCTAC BC Chapter Talk - "Jello-Mud: Innovative Ground Engineering Beneath a 1,800-Year-Old Temple"
Join the TAC BC Chapter for our upcoming presentation event featuring speaker Franck Peng of Balsam Laboratory.

Right next to a 1,800-year-old Buddhist temple, Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. faced a tricky task in 2019 while building the Jing'an Temple Line Station for Line 14 of the Shanghai Metro. They had to use a giant 8.7 by 9.9-meter pipe jacking machine in soft ground, with the temple's delicate structure at risk. To avoid turning it into rubble, STEC teamed up with Balsam Laboratory, which came up with an innovative solution: an additive called BSP 70, mixed with bentonite to create a slippery, thixotropic material—dubbed "Jello-Mud" by Balsam’s Canadian team. This super-strong slurry was ten times more durable than regular bentonite, non-toxic, and water-resistant.

Franck Peng of Balsam Laboratory Canada will present case studies showcasing the benefits of Jello-Mud. Key highlights include a 50% reduction in designed thrust force, prevention of settlement, and successfully waterproofing an ocean-crossing tunnel boring machine under 0.84MPa pressure.

Event Details:
Date: May 7, 2025

Time & Itinerary:
5:30-6:30 PM – Social Hour with Food and Drinks
6:30-7:50 PM – Presentations
7:50-8:10 PM – Discussion/Q&A session

Location: Steamworks Brewpub – Uber Room, 375 Water St., Vancouver, BC

Registration Cost:
$5 for members, $10 for non-members, includes one beverage and shared appetizers (paid at the door)

Please RSVP your interest in attending to Alexander MacKinnon at alexander.mackinnon@wsp.com and Julian Arambarri at jarambarri@aldeaservices.com. Last-minute attendees are also welcome!
Contact alexander.mackinnon@wsp.com
About the British Columbia Chapter
May 29, 2025Lone Star Texas Grill, 930 Dixon Rd, Toronto, OntarioTAC Ontario Talk: Durability Engineering for Tunnelling projects with SIMCO Technologies Inc.
Join the TAC Ontario Chapter for their upcoming May Presentation Event, "Durability Engineering for Tunnelling projects" with SIMCO Technologies Inc.

Presenter:
Francis Mongeon, P. Eng, MBA
Director, Business Development
SIMCO Technologies Inc.

Presentation Abstract:
Durability for Structures
Industry standards and best practices, such as those established by ACI, fib, ASTM, and CSA, outline various approaches to achieving infrastructure durability. While these approaches differ in detail, they share the common goal of quantifying the service life of key infrastructure based on material properties and exposure conditions. The durability engineer works in collaboration with the structural engineer by providing recommendations and optimizations to design structures that meet the structural, constructability, durability, and sustainability requirements.

Traditionally, the prescriptive approach has dominated the industry and is exemplified by requirements like achieving a concrete compressive strength of 30 MPa within 28 days. However, performance-based specifications have emerged as a more effective alternative, offering a comprehensive framework that emphasizes holistic design and implementation to ensure reliable asset performance, public safety, and user satisfaction. The durability engineering ensures the long-term yield/performance of structures, from the smallest to the largest, for which performance criteria are generally specified or targeted.

This technical seminar will explore the following topics:
- Difference between prescriptive and performance specifications
- Factors that influence the durability of concrete structures, from design to maintenance?
- Predictive Methodologies and Strategies to Mitigate Degradation
- Case studies demonstrating durability engineering applications, new and existing assets


About the Presenter:
As a Director of Business Development, Francis is responsible for driving growth, profitability and expand awareness on durability engineering, focusing on his expertise markets: transit, transportation and energy industries. With over twenty years of experience in construction management, technical sales, and business development in those sectors, Francis brings valuable expertise that aligns perfectly with SIMCO’s strategic goals.

Holding a degree in Mechanical Engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal and an MBA from Athabasca University, Francis has an in-depth understanding of the specific challenges in these markets and has excelled in building a strong network and long-standing business relationships across Canada. Francis holds a P. Eng license with the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO).

Recognized for his collaborative approach and commitment to innovation, Francis aims to build strategic partnerships with owners, design firms and contractors to meet the growing demands for sustainability, durability, and efficiency.

Connect with Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francismongeon

Cost
:
TAC Members: $10
Non‐Members: $20
Government Employees: $10

Please register in advance through the Eventzilla link.

Registration Here!
Jul 02, 2025Trolly 5 - 728 17th Avenue SWTAC Alberta (Calgary) Chapter Pre-Stampede Mixer
Save the date to join us for a TAC Pre-Stampede Mixer! Dust off your best western outfit, and get ready to have a great time with the TAC Calgary Chapter. Let’s kick off the festivities together!

When: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Where: Trolly 5 - 728 17th Avenue SW

More details & registration to come!

TAC Calgary Chapter Details
Jul 22, 2025125 Nobleton Lakes Dr, Nobleton, ON, L0G 1N0Save the Date: TAC Ontario Chapter 2025 Golf Tournament
SAVE THE DATE for the 2025 TAC Ontario Golf Tournament!

Details:
- Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 3 PM
- 125 Nobleton Lakes Dr, Nobleton, ON, L0G 1N0

More details and registration to come soon - stay tuned!

Registration Coming Soon!
Nov 16-18, 2025Vancouver, B.C.Save the Date: 2025 TAC Workshop
We are excited to announce the first-ever TAC Workshop on Safety in the Canadian Tunnelling Industry, set to take place from November 15-18, 2025, in Vancouver, B.C.!

The workshop will focus on the critical topic of Safety in tunnelling, bringing together industry experts to share insights on topics such as Statistics, Regulations, Legal, Ground Risk, Insurance, Design, Fire- Electrical, Training, and Owner/ Contractor Debates. If you are a member of our industry, then you need to be there!

Stay tuned for more details to come.

Registration Coming Soon!
May 15-21, 2026Montréal, Québec, CanadaThe WORLD TUNNEL CONGRESS 2026: Montréal
Planning is underway for the WTC 2026! Get excited to join us in Montréal to meet high-profile leaders, decision-makers, and influencers from around the world.

The Call for Abstracts will be launched in March 2025 followed by Registration in June 2025.

In the meantime, be sure to join the conversation! We are excited to launch the www.wtc2026.ca website, distribution list as well as the World Tunnel Congress 2026 (WTC 2026) LinkedIn page!

These platforms will keep you updated on all things related to the World Tunnel Congress in Montréal, including the theme "Connecting Communities through Underground Infrastructure / Connecter les communautés au moyen d'infrastructures souterraines."

Stay tuned for the latest news, insights, and opportunities to engage with fellow tunnelling enthusiasts in 2026!

Let’s connect and shape the future of our industry together! Exhibitor & Sponsorship opportunities are now available.

Visit the event website for all the details!

https://wtc2026...




Tunnelling Association of Canada
Association canadienne des tunnels
1 Eglinton Ave. E., Suite 705
Toronto, ON M4P 3A1, Canada
Tel: 1-416-840-7616
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