Lesotho Highlands Water Project - Construction of Polihali Diversion Tunnels
Customer Project
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a multi-phase binational project carried out by the Kingdom of Lesotho together with the Republic of South Africa.
Owner | Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) |
Planning |
Metsi a Senqu-Khubelu Consultants (MSKC) Joint venture between Zutari, Knight Piesold, Hatch, SMEC, and FM Associates |
Construction |
SCLC Polihali Diversion Tunnel Joint Venture Joint venture of the South African branches of CMC di Ravenna, Salini Impregilo, CMI Infrastructure, and Lesotho-based LSP Construction |
Inlet Structure Model Parameters
Model
This project aims at harnessing the water resources of the Lesotho highlands by building numerous dams and tunnels. Phase II includes the construction of a dam, transfer tunnel, and associated infrastructure. The Polihali diversion tunnels were initially set up as part of a construction contract to allow for early river diversion in the main Polihali Dam contract.
Dlubal customer Zutari (Pty) Ltd. carried out, among other things, structural analysis of the reinforced concrete inlet structures. Zutari's engineers utilized the RFEM finite element program.
Structure
An optimal solution was developed, including two D-shaped tunnels with diameters of 22.97 ft and 29.53 ft, respectively, and lengths of approximately 0.62 mi each. The tunnels are provided with inlet structures made of reinforced concrete and equipped with stoplog guides, transitioning from a rectangular section to a circular section.
Project Location
Keywords
Tunnel Reinforced concrete Inlet Structure
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Failing Support Conditions for Contact Surfaces
In order to create a surface model with failing supports close to reality, an option called "Failure if contact perpendicular to surfaces failed" is available in RFEM 5 for contact solids under "Contact Parallel to Surfaces".
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