Major expansion of a tire manufacturing plant

Bridgestone recently expanded its Joliette plant by 4,500 m2 to add new equipment and increase tire production and storage capacity. The new building that CIMA+ engineered has six levels: three above ground and three below ground.   

To ensure the expansion of the Joliette plant, which now produces over than 20,000 tires a day, our specialists worked as a team to overcome major challenges, such as:

  • the design of a 14 m high self-supporting firewall
  • the design of crack-proof custom-made floors and foundations for heavy vibrating equipment
  • the implementation of measures to ensure worker and equipment safety within a limited floor space and protect them from the impact of vibrations
  • the interconnection between equipment in existing and new areas

A reviewed and improved electrical network

The expansion called for additional power supply. However, the plant’s existing power grid was already being used to its maximum capacity, and it was impossible to add the major loads required by the expansion. CIMA+’s electrical engineers carried out a rigorous study that showed that the expansion of the 25 kV substation located at the plant entrance was the ideal solution. They then directed the client to manufacturers offering equipment that could meet their specific needs.

Integration of equipment to the design

Acting as a project integrator, our team integrated equipment supplied by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and the design of a third party, to ensure project completion and success.

Clay soil and low bearing capacity of the site

Based on the recommendations of our geotechnical team, a 45-foot-deep excavation was dug close to the existing foundations, without compromising the safety of people and facilities. A 14 m-high firewall was erected between the new and existing facilities. This wall was designed to withstand potentially high seismic loads and to take account of a water table close to the ground surface. The concrete foundation blocks were partly replaced by reinforced concrete and masonry blocks for added strength.

Railway section

CIMA+ contributed to the design of a new rail system designed for the daily supply of silica and coal black. Due to the large number of rail operators around the Joliette site, CIMA+ presented different options to Bridgestone and worked with CN to find a solution that would satisfy all stakeholders.