Kelowna sits within a seismically active region of British Columbia, where the presence of glacial lake sediments and variable bedrock depth demands rigorous site-specific assessment under the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC). Our seismic category addresses how local ground conditions amplify shaking, integrating soil liquefaction analysis to evaluate saturated silts and sands prone to strength loss. We also apply seismic microzonation to map hazard variability across the city, ensuring foundation designs reflect true subsurface behavior rather than generic assumptions.
Critical infrastructure, mid-rise residential towers, and shoreline developments in the Okanagan Valley frequently trigger these studies, particularly where performance-based design or post-disaster functionality is required. For structures demanding enhanced resilience, we pair microzonation findings with base isolation seismic design to decouple superstructures from ground motion. This layered approach protects investments while aligning with provincial geotechnical guidelines and the intent of BC’s seismic retrofit strategy.