By rosebell
The travelling framework for Snowy 2.0’s Tantangara intake transition tunnel has been completed by Future Generation Joint Venture.
As Australia’s largest renewable energy project, the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro project’s formwork is an essential piece of equipment in shaping the tunnel as it transitions from rectangular to circular, by facilitating the construction process and worker access. It carries the formwork needed for concrete pours for both the wall and crown sections of the transition tunnel.
Considering that laser-cut timber sections were fabricated offsite. and following that the frame was assembled, the prefabricated panels were installed, building the travelling formwork was an intricate process.
Also the modular formwork allows the panels to be removed and replaced as the geometry changes throughout the transition tunnel.
In order to lowering the formwork almost 50m into the intake pit, and a winch system moved it into position along 70m rails, a 750-tonne crawler crane was used, whereas the heaviest section weighs 45 tonnes and the heaviest weight up to 115 tonnes.
Delivering water to the turbines in the Snowy 2.0 power station, the transition tunnel is due to link the intake to the headrace tunnel.
Future Generation Joint Venture broke through at the Tantangara intake tunnel in October last year.
