ULMA’s MK tunnel carriage supports chamber works for Peru hydropower project
ULMA Construction’s MK tunnel carriage system played a central role in completing the Air Cushion Surge Chamber at Peru’s San Gabán III Hydroelectric Project, a key structure designed to stabilize hydraulic pressure fluctuations in the facility’s headrace system.
According to International Water Power, the reinforced concrete chamber, executed by China International Water & Electric Corp (CWE), measures approximately 303 feet in length and 61 feet in height, with 3.6-foot-thick walls and slabs. ULMA’s modular MK formwork carriage — a 60-ton mobile unit equipped with wheeled axles, integrated platforms, and safety guardrails — enabled efficient sequential casting in 20-foot sections.
The formwork system utilized 0.24-inch steel panels for high-precision finishes, supported by 24 vibrators and two 7,000-pound towing winches to ensure consistent compaction and controlled advancement, International Water Power reported. Each construction cycle lasted about 48 hours, with dismantling and repositioning handled by 16 hydraulic jacks rated at 20 tons each.
According to ULMA, the MK carriage’s modular design and reusable components simplified assembly and transport in the confined underground environment, reducing downtime and ensuring accuracy across every pour. The structure was completed within schedule, meeting all geometric and surface quality specifications, and demonstrating ULMA’s capacity to deliver efficient, repeatable performance in complex underground concrete works.
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