We all know that building tunnels can be challenging! But making sure they don’t leak can turn into a real nightmare.
We were recently approached by a construction company in El Salvador that had built a 4000 feet tunnel but ran into a big problem when ground water started running down the hill and eventually leak into the tunnel through the rocks.
Tunnel Repair Engineering Drawing
The company first hired a contractor who ended up charging them 1 million USD but failed to fix the problem. Then, they contacted us to see if we could help them find a solution to their problem and work within their budget and source the appropriate equipment for the job. After a series of meetings with their team of engineers going over the site, dimensions, challenges, limitations, we were able to together design a plan that not only would incorporate a permanent fix, work within their budget but also save them over $150K! This was achieved not only with the equipment we sold them but with the actual solution we came up with. In today’s economy, any savings goes a long way, but $150K, for any construction company is pretty extraordinary!
Worthington 650 CFM compressor
One of the reason the previous contractor didn’t succeed in fixing the problem was that he didn’t use a large air compressor. We suggested and sold them a Worthington 650 CFM compressor that would do the job. The compressor will be placed at the end of the tunnel connected to 4000 feet of heavy duty concrete pipes to be able to cover the length of the tunnel.
Concrete Pipes
So we prepared 400, 3”x 10” feet sections and equipped them with clamps.
Then, we devised a solution for shotcreting the tunnel wall. It required both a Blastcreeter 5000 and a Reed C50HP pump to get the job done. To shotcrete the seams of the rocks, they would need to mix the concrete with a Bobcat at the end of the tunnel, then dump it into a mixer to mix it up, then dump it into the high pressure concrete pump’s hopper.
Reed C50 HP
The Reed C50HP can shotcrete 1000 to 2000 feet with a robot arm. The pump is also equipped with a shotcrete nozzle 650 CFM, using air pressure to blow wet concrete between the rocks. The pump would be moved 1000 feet at a time through the tunnel until the job is completed.
Blastcreeter 5000
So how were we able to not only solve their problem but also save $150K? We will do the math for you. A Blastcreeter 5000 costs about $60K new, we were able to sell them a refurbed one for $30K. A Reed C50HP, goes for $106K brand new, we had a used one on our lot for $42K. That’s almost $100K of savings, right there. The solution we came up with also saved them an additional $60-90K, because we worked it out so that they only had to purchase 2 pumps instead of 4.
This is a great example showing how combining real expertise on the ground, with in-depth knowledge of equipment performance with the ability to source discounted dealer certified refurbed equipment, can make the difference in a bid won and a project executed in time and within budget.
Do you have a tricky concrete job or a problem to solve? Check out our Troubleshooting article, our special deals on shotcrete equipment or call us at 503- 283-2105, we can work with you on any job you have. Give us a chance and we will show you how you too can save and deliver quality results!
Or visit us at: Unitedequipmentsales.com to check our latest deals.
