New Storage Silos for Raw Materials and Grinding Plant

Major Improvements Made to Cement Plant 

Pomerleau has been contracted by Ciment Québec because of our expertise in civil and infrastructure.  

Specifically, we are responsible for the following: 

• The civil construction of a new state-of-the-art grinding plant that will enable Ciment Québec to produce cements with a reduced carbon footprint, such as limestone cements. The new grinding facility will reduce the carbon footprint of cements produced by Ciment Québec by 10%.The construction of storage silos for raw materials using the slipform method, in which Pomerleau has longstanding expertise. This method is the best option for tall structures as there is no limit to the eventual height of the structure being built and it is also one of the fastest options.  
• BIM modelling technologies were used to conceive the slipform method with complete accuracy. Every aspect was pre-modelled in 3D to anticipate and deal with clashes. Pomerleau also used new software that enabled the team to verify elevation, verticality and speed per hour of the pour so that there was adequate time for curing. 

A Focus on Environmental Performance

Already offering the lowest carbon footprint cements in North America, Ciment Québec, thanks to these new facilities, will reduce the environmental footprint of its main cements by a further 10%, and thus be able to respond adequately to the growing demand for more environmentally efficient cements. The state-of-the-art 54-m-x-36-m facility will reinforce this increased attention to the environment. 

Our Challenges

Tight Schedule

The project is being executed in fast-track mode.

On-Site Management 

In just three weeks, we went from 30 to 180 workers on this project, including subtrades, which was a steep curve to manage in such a short period. 

Slipform Method

To avoid joints in the structure, the slipform method is a continual pour, and was used for all seven silos. The pour lasted more than 10 days and required 24-hour non-stop surveillance, undertaken by two teams. Six of the silos reached a height of 45.5m and the seventh silo, 39m.