Hydropowerplant Chile II

Ситуация

The Alto Maipo project consists of a hydroelectric plant which includes five high mountain intakes, 70 kilometers of tunnels at an average depth of 800 meters, two cavern power plants - Alfalfal II and Las Lajas- with a combined capacity of 531 MW and 17 kilometers of high voltage lines.

The relevant civil works consider 70 kilometers of tunnels excavated in solid rock, at an average depth of 800 meters. Its size is defined by the flow rate to be transported and the minimum dimensions required for the operation of the excavation machinery. The tunnels will conduct the water under pressure and at low speed, losing very little energy until it reaches the machine caverns.

Due to the mountain range area rock bursting problems have been registered. The require fortification in order to protect both human lives and the machinery necessary for the development of a tunnel.