Our Mission is simple, we focus on Deep Foundations and Earth Retention solutions. Helping you to win more bids and execute on awarded projects with lower risk and higher profitability.

About

Western Civil & Caison is a deep foundation and earth retention consultant in North America. We have over 25 years in the industry with extensive experience in preconstruction, tooling procurement, scheduling, value add constructability solutions, project management and boots on the ground construction execution. We have the ability to source or design any custom component or accessory that may be required to complete your installation package.

Our goal is to is to optimize your approach towards Deep Foundation and Earth Retention construction by using innovative cutting-edge techniques and technology. We can manage concerns about scheduling, installation and risk during the tendering and preconstruction phase. We can then get you working installing Deep Foundation elements in a productive repeatable sequence during the execution phase. We have the experience to integrate seamlessly with your preconstruction and construction teams to achieve this goal.

Kelly Smith

Managing Partner, Vancouver, BC

Kelly is an established entrepreneur and construction professional with over 25 years of experience; planning and executing heavy civil deep foundation construction projects, designing/implementing foundation systems, and owning and running companies. His career with Construction Drilling has provided him the opportunity to progress through a variety of roles, working up through the field to eventually purchasing and running the company in 2016.

As an owner, he was a key contributor in tripling Construction Drilling’s annual revenue, within 4 years and then selling the company in 2020. Following the sale he has worked as a consultant, focusing on delivery of Construction Drilling to a high corporate standard. He was responsible for restructuring the company’s management, project controls, and preconstruction strategy.

Kelly Holds himself to a high professional standard, driven by commitment and perseverance in pursuit of the best possible results. Open-minded, curious, and respectful of the traditional values of this industry – His hard work and determination have produced impressive results.

Technical Skills

Foundation Design / Implementation
Risk Management / Business Development
Business Management / Process Implementation

Construction Achievements

Kelly has the capacity to design any custom component to complete the installation package. Owners have realized substantial savings utilizing his installation methods and systems.
AB Jetty Recapitalization Project
Kicking Horse Highway Phase 4 Project
BC Hydro Site C Dam Upstream and Downstream Stage 2 Cofferdams (interlocking pipe pile walls)

Services

We have firsthand experience drilling in all geotechnical conditions. We can help you select and implement the correct drilling equipment and combination of components to ensure a successful project. We can come to site during the project startup and throughout the project, or stay until your crews are trained and able use the Drill systems efficiently on their own. We can parachute in to trouble shoot issues to get you up and running and installing deep foundation elements.

Our services include:

Major Projects:

Specializing in Early Contractor Involvement During the Design Phase
Deep Foundation Optimization
Constructability Reviews
Scheduling, Job Phasing Reviews
Material and Equipment Optimization
Access and Equipment Staging Solutions
Construction Execution and Project Monitoring

Value Add Constructability Reviews During the Design Process

Pre-Construction:

Scheduling
Estimating
Drill Equipment & Tooling Selection, Design and Customization (if required)
Bid / Constructability Reviews
Risk & Productivity Analysis

Construction:

Foundation Elements Installation
Supervision and Training
Trouble Shooting
Pile Repair and Quality Control Analysis
Project Kick Off
Project Management
Change Management
Equipment Staging, Drill Equipment Setup
Boots on the Ground

Business Solutions, System Implementation (Small Businesses):

Estimating / Bid Review
Project Startup
Project Cashflow
Time Capture and Reconciliation
Procurement
Equipment Management
Change Management
Forecasting
Invoicing
Document / Storage Management
Reporting
Month End
Project Closeout

Experience

We are experts in the following Deep Foundation applications:

Cased Drilled Shafts
Uncased Drilled Shafts
Rock Socketed Drilled Shafts
Case in Place Drilled Shafts
Driven Piles
Under Reamed Drilled Shafts
Large Diameter Drilled Shafts
Down Hole Hammer Drill Systems
Rotary Bit Drill Systems

Dual Rotary Drill Systems
Reverse Circulation Drill Systems
Reverse Flood Drill Systems
Positive Head Casing Excavation
Cut Off Walls
Passive Walls
Secant Pile Walls
Cofferdams
Interlocking Pipe Pile Walls (O-pile)

Mr Smith has designed and implemented drill systems for thousands of projects across North America. Below is a sample of highlighted projects that were technically complex. The projects listed have been successfully completed and range in value from 1.5 to 40 million.

Drilling Projects

Kicking Horse Canyon

Large diameter rock socketed steel piles / Earth retention walls / Slope stabalization

Golden, BC

BC Hydro Site C

Interlocking steel pile wall

Fort St. John, BC

Northeast Anthony Henday

Large diameter cast in place

Edmonton, AB

Transed LRT (light rail)

Large cast in place slope stabalization

Edmonton, AB