The Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CSA S6:19) and the NBCC 2020 set the framework for road embankment design in Drummondville, where the region’s glacial till and clay deposits demand careful evaluation. Drummondville sits within the St. Lawrence Lowlands, a zone where post-glacial Champlain Sea clay creates variable foundation conditions. For any fill placement, the geotechnical team must first characterize the subgrade through in-situ testing, often combining calicatas exploratorias to log stratigraphy with ensayo SPT for blow-count profiles. This dual approach captures the soft clay layers that can trigger differential settlement under embankment loads.
Post-glacial Champlain Sea clays in Drummondville often exhibit sensitivities above 10, requiring staged fill placement to avoid sudden strength loss.