VISIONARY RESEARCH IN QUÉBEC

Université Laval in Québec brings together the world’s leading scientists in northern and Arctic research at the Institut nordique du Québec (INQ), with a shared mission to foster research, development and knowledge supporting the sustainable development of Québec’s and Canada’s northern territory. The INQ unites 15 university institutions, 90 research centers, more than 270 researchers, and numerous public and private sector partners, with representation from the four Indigenous peoples who inhabit northern Québec: the Cree, Innu, Inuit and Naskapi.

To better support this research, the university is constructing a new 9,865 square-meter scientific complex that will serve as a North American hub for collaborative northern and Arctic research. As the only facility of its kind in Canada, the INQ Science Center will house state-of-the-art analytical laboratories, as well as a logistics center for preparing maritime and land missions to the Arctic. The new center’s state-of-the-art analytical platforms will allow researchers to better replicate northern and Arctic climatic conditions in a laboratory setting, test remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) in a specialized tank, and prepare and coordinate missions in spaces fully dedicated and adapted to the specific needs of these expeditions. In addition to facilitating large-scale interdisciplinary research projects, the complex will foster synergy between the academic, private and public sectors to support the training of a new generation of researchers. The center will house a multi-purpose room, a performance and creation space, and an event and exhibition hall that highlights First Peoples’ aspirations and northern issues.

The pump’s compact footprint and quick setup were essential for maneuvering within the constrained construction site in the heart of Québec City without interfering with the project’s tower crane.

NAVIGATING PUMPING CHALLENGES

With more than 50 years of experience, Québec-based Pompage Industriel offers high-quality concrete pumping services with a reliable fleet of modern concrete pumps. The contractor has been on the INQ construction site since it broke ground in September 2023. Since then, the pumper has worked with general contractor Pomerleau and concrete forming contractor Coffrage LD to pour concrete for all the slabs, walls and columns in the science complex, plus an underground parking garage and a tunnel that connects the complex to other buildings on campus. The $76 million USD ($105 million CAD) science complex is slated to open in February 2026.

The center involves significant concrete work, including three 25,000 square-foot floors, each requiring 1,000 cubic meters of concrete. Marc-Antoine Leclerc, owner at Pompage Industriel, chose the SANY 56-meter truck-mounted boom pump for this project because it offered the right mix of performance with a compact footprint. The pump, supported by Putzmeister, is designed to emphasize simplicity, cost-effectiveness and reliability, making it ideal for high-pressure pumping tasks. Notable features include a heavy-duty structural band around the hopper and a streamlined design for smooth concrete flow. “The boom pump offered the right mix of features necessary for this project and site. Its compact footprint, versatility and reliability were crucial, given the tight space and demanding conditions. It’s easy to operate and straightforward to troubleshoot, which is essential for a project of this magnitude,” explained Leclerc. The pump is able to handle a fairly rigorous pumping schedule. Leclerc uses the SANY equipment to regularly pump 50 to 60 cubic meters of concrete per hour, up to five days a week. They typically pump a 25 MPa concrete mix, but have also pumped a 50 MPa mix with ease. On the biggest pour day, they pumped 400 cubic meters of concrete continuously over 10 hours without any challenges. “We were able to pump a challenging concrete mix on our schedule with no trouble, including columns, walls and slabs, showcasing the equipment’s reliability,” said Leclerc.

The pump’s compact footprint and quick setup have been essential for maneuvering within the constrained construction site in the heart of Québec City. “That was a useful feature because of the height of the building and length we had to pump. We could pump those heights and lengths without being in conflict with the tower crane, which was critical. The pump does a nice job on these kinds of projects,” said Leclerc. “The ability to quickly fold and unfold the pump during the pour was a game-changer. It allowed us to move the pump efficiently, enabling us to complete the job with one pump instead of two. The setup was quick, and the small footprint was ideal for our needs,” said Leclerc. Working in Canada can be challenging due to extreme weather conditions, with temperatures ranging from -30°C (-22°F) to +30°C (86°F). Because the project broke ground in the fall, much of the pour schedule occurred during the winter months, which meant they needed to keep the concrete flowing in bitterly cold temperatures. Leclerc and his team added heat under the slabs and insulated the concrete pipes to prevent freezing, which helped the pump work smoothly. “Working in Québec’s weather poses challenges, but the pump performed exceptionally well in both cold and hot weather. Keeping the concrete moving was crucial, or we’d face significant issues, and this pump got us through it,” said Leclerc.

The pump’s six-section boom offered invaluable flexibility for reaching the necessary heights and lengths of the Science Complex.

A WINNING COMBINATION

Putzmeister collaborated with parent company, SANY Group, to launch a new class-leading offering of concrete pumps. These pumps are designed around simplicity, cost effectiveness and reliability to deliver a balanced blend of functionality and price, backed by Putzmeister’s sales, service, and parts support. These pumps combine the quality of the automotive-grade manufacturing with impressive pumping volumes, a high-pressure hopper and a design built for longevity. The system boasts a heavy-duty structural band around the entire hopper which resists flexing under high volumes and pressures. The streamlined design with smooth curves and transitions means no sharp angles or abrupt transitions when pumping. “The pump has been a great piece of equipment to have on site for this important building, and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with the pump to finish out the project,” added Leclerc.

Workers use the 56-meter pump to pour the foundation for the complex’s underground
tunnel that connects the facility to other buildings on the Université Laval campus.

Developer: Université Laval — Québec City, Québec, Canada
General Contractor: Pomerleau — Saint-Georges, Québec, Canada
Concrete Forming Contractor: Coffrage LD — Charney, Québec, Canada
Concrete Pumping Contractor: Pompage Industriel — Québec, Canada
Ready Mixed Supplier: Beton LT — Québec, Canada
Equipment: SANY SY56 Truck-Mounted Concrete Boom Pump