OBJECTIVE
Spanning 369 km, ISA Intercolombia is constructing the electrical reinforcement system that will interconnect the Caribbean Coast with the interior of the country, ensuring the region’s electrical sustainability.
AXIATECH was contracted by the CHRM consortium, the builder of the section between the Chinú substation and the crossing of the Magdalena River, to design, supply, and construct the foundations for the seven approach towers at the Magdalena River crossing. These towers are located in the most geotechnically challenging section of the route.
Hydrographic piles were chosen as the foundation option for the towers located in the most adverse soil conditions.
This solution proved to be more cost-effective than any other available alternative and passed all performance tests, receiving clear and decisive acceptance within the project.
CONVENTIONAL SOLUTION
Due to the high load magnitudes and the geotechnical deficiencies of the soil, foundation systems supported by pre-drilled piles with depths exceeding 12 m were initially considered in the project engineering. Foundation blocks of 12 piles, 0.5 m and 0.7 m in diameter, were necessary to ensure the long-term stability of the towers.
However, construction timelines, site access, and other factors made construction following the initial guidelines unfeasible.
HELICAL PILE SOLUTION
Helical piles were an excellent alternative. However, only with meticulous engineering was it possible to achieve the appropriate configuration to withstand loads of up to 200 tons of vertical load and 40 tons of lateral load.
The integration of the excellent properties and characteristics of piles into a suitable foundation model successfully met the various load demands acting on the foundation system in highly complex geotechnical environments.
INSTALLATION
Arrangements of between 3 and 13 piles per leg, joined by rigid concrete pile caps, were determined for the construction of the foundations of the 7 towers built using this system.
Construction was completed in 10 working days, achieving a rate of 120 linear meters of piles per day.
Helical piles are the ideal solution for foundations in transmission lines…
A.B. CHANCE – Hubbell Foundation
World-leading manufacturers of helical piles, with over 100 years of experience and a proven track record in foundation engineering solutions using helical pile technology.
