System solution

Panama Canal Lock Installations, Panama

System solutions are the foundation for smooth-running efficiency and reliable work progress. Well, that is the case if they interlock in a way that is as well thought-out as our formwork and scaffolding systems. They follow a simple principle: as complex as necessary and as straightforward as possible. And they can be combined to create customised solutions for every construction site. Even if the construction site is the largest in the world and sets new standards, as is the case with the Panama Canal.

Two titans and a great team

When construction vehicles shrink to toys and people seem as small as ants, great things have happened.

Elena Alvarez, Project Manager
"When I think of the project, I still feel a mixture of longing, pride and satisfaction. When I found out that I was getting the post of technical director, I was incredibly proud – and fairly nervous, I must admit. It was the largest project PERI had ever tackled. It had to be perfect! I remember one day at the beginning of 2013, the project was in full swing and we went to the construction site. On the ramp, we were met by trucks as tall as houses, loaded with rubble. Fidel had to stop the pick-up – and there it was in front of us: 1.5 km of work, concrete and formwork as far as the eye could see, construction vehicles shrunk to the size of toys and people as tiny as ants. No one said anything, but we were all overwhelmed. I have great friends from that time who I hope will always be in my life, and great memories of conversations after work over Balboa beer and crab skewers. Together, we were part of this project of the century, which allowed us to grow personally and professionally. To me, these locks are like two sleeping titans, built by man to provide ships with a shortcut on their route around the world.”

The shortest route from the atlantic to the pacific

Opened in 1914, the Panama Canal shortens the dangerous journey around South America and Cape Horn by around 20,000 kilometres and is one of the most important waterways in the world. As classes of ships grow larger and larger, however, the old locks are becoming more and more of a bottleneck. In 2006, a few years after the U.S. returned the canal to Panama, the population voted by a large majority in favour of the expansion. The job site became the construction site of the century in two respects: firstly, given its status as the largest construction site in the world, and secondly, because the intention was to complete the work in time for its 100th anniversary.

In each of the three lock chambers, which are staggered one behind the other, the ships on both the Atlantic and the Pacific side of the canal overcome a difference in height of around 26 m.

The fastest way to ensure reliable construction progress

With a complete solution consisting of formwork, scaffolding and engineering, we made it possible for the new lock installations to be constructed smoothly on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

We developed a special Climbing Formwork for the walls, which were up to 15 metres thick. It withstands the immense pressure of the fresh concrete without opposing anchoring by transferring the load into the climbing ties of the previous concreting section. Together with the PERI UP scaffolding and shoring system, exemplary site logistics and seamless support from our engineers on site proved to be the key to the successful completion of this mega project.

Key to success: The Climbing System SCS for mass concrete developed in-house helped the customer to achieve high cost efficiency with rapid construction progress – and won us the contract for Panama.

Key to success: The Climbing System for mass concrete developed in-house helped the customer to achieve high cost efficiency with rapid construction progress – and won us the contract for Panama.

The most beautiful combination of efficiency and team spirit

Several national subsidiaries worked together intensively on the technical and logistical masterpiece to ensure that what was the largest construction site in the world at the time operated smoothly. The special development and production of more than 6,000 climbing brackets, the shipment of material in about 1,100 40-foot containers, the coordination and timing of the formwork operations, the access to and safeguarding of the construction site with scaffolding, truss girders, heavy-duty tables and stair towers – all this was carried out by our employees from Panama, Spain and Germany in close cooperation with the client, GUPC SA (Grupo Unidos por el Canal).

Santiago Mera, Elena Alvarez, Fidel Benito

You want to know more about the project?

Then take a look at our exciting project videos from the expansion at the time.

Expansion of the Panama Canal
“In this project, we relied on PERI systems for more than 95%. PERI did not disappoint us, they cooperated committedly and provided us with good solutions and services for smooth work progress“, Rafael Sarmiento (Site Manager Miraflores/Pacific).
Expansion of the Panama Canal – Challenges
Due to its dimensions and complexity, the project offered big challenges regarding knowhow, logistics and jobsite support. The cross-country cooperation of many different PERI application engineers, logistics specialists and other experts was one essential key to the project success.
Expansion of the Panama Canal – Engineering
Here you can find out more details about the systems used, which were specially developed for this project.

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