Nueva esclusa fluvial de Sevilla parte1

New Lock System in Seville

Overview of the New Lock System

• The new lock system in Seville is crucial for connecting the city to the Guadalquivir River, which has historically been linked to its port.

• The river's average tidal range of 2 meters necessitates infrastructure that can adjust water levels for efficient port operations.

Challenges and Developments

• Previous limitations such as shallow river depth and inadequate lock dimensions hindered maritime activity and growth.

• A new lock was constructed to replace a 1949 facility, initiated by the Port Authority of Seville in July 2005 and completed in autumn 2010.

Specifications of the New Lock

• Located approximately 10 km downstream from the city, it is designed to accommodate Panamax vessels, significantly increasing cargo transport capacity from 5 million to an estimated 12 million tons annually.

• The lock operates similarly to an elevator, allowing ships to navigate between different water levels efficiently.

Flood Prevention Features

• Besides facilitating shipping, the lock also serves as a flood defense mechanism for Seville, with external gates protecting against river overflow during extreme weather events.

• The previous lock had dimensions that limited vessel size; the new structure allows ships up to 20,000 tons due to its increased width (35 m) and length (293 m).

Structural Design Elements

• The new lock measures 434 m long and features three distinct sections with bascule bridges for road and rail access.

• Hydraulic systems operate bridge mechanisms while ensuring structural integrity through reinforced supports.

Maintenance and Operational Efficiency

• Designed with maintenance in mind, compartments allow easy access for repairs without disrupting operations.

• Advanced sliding mechanisms ensure smooth operation of gates while minimizing wear on components through balanced weight distribution.

Safety Mechanisms

• Various safety installations are included within the design, such as flotation tanks that help maintain gate stability during operation.

Construction of a Lock System

Overview of the Lock Structure

• The lock system is designed to allow emergency vehicles, such as maintenance vans and ambulances, to access the central basin where boats are raised or lowered.

• Key features include a perforated base slab that is 0.5 meters thick, constructed with 20 cm diameter PVC pipes for water entry and exit, minimizing turbulence caused by boats.

Structural Design and Materials

• The structure consists of independent walls with variable heights supported by foundations; these walls reach up to 20 meters high and have a thickness of 4 meters.

• Foundations in garage areas are continuous slabs measuring 124 meters long, ensuring stability against differential settling that could affect gate operation.

Construction Phases

• The construction process involved multiple complex tasks including concrete structure assembly, installation of gates and bridges, dredging work, and formation of access roads.

• Preliminary actions included geotechnical surveys, archaeological intervention planning, environmental monitoring compliance before excavation began.

Excavation and Foundation Work

• An impermeable enclosure was created due to the excavation depth reaching 25 meters below the water table; this included ramps for machinery access.

• A bentonite-cement wall was installed at least one meter deep into impermeable strata to maintain structural integrity during excavation.

Concrete Production and Temperature Control

• Two concrete production plants were set up on-site with a capacity of 99 m³/hour each; extensive use of steel reinforcements (20,000 tons total).

• To ensure concrete durability in high temperatures during summer pouring operations, measures like shading aggregates and using ice in mixing water were implemented.

Finalization Steps

• Transitioning between sloped canal banks and vertical lock walls utilized sheet piles anchored for stability; some sections reached depths of up to 28.5 meters.

Construction of Water Gates in Sevilla

Excavation and Construction Process

• The final part of the dam that blocked water entry was excavated using a dredger, allowing for the completion of the project.

• Concurrently, large gates were constructed at the shipyards in Sevilla; these gates are significant engineering feats due to their size and weight.

• Each gate is made from heavy metal sheets reinforced with metallic profiles, showcasing advanced construction techniques.

• The weight of each gate is approximately 800 tons, indicating the scale and complexity involved in their transportation and installation.