Panama Metro Linea 1 & Linea 2

The Panama Metro is a recently completed urban transportation system in Panama City, the capital of Panama.

Panama Metro Line 1 began construction in 2010 and started operating in 2014. It is 16 km long, with part of the line underground and part elevated.

Following the success of the first line, a second line has now entered the construction phase and was expected to begin operations by the end of 2018.

Pier Columns

For this large construction project, Dextra was involved between 2011 and 2012 (Line 1) and since 2015 (Line 2) for the structural reinforcement of the large pier columns in the elevated sections of the line.

On both lines, the Bartec coupler solution, popular in Panama, was chosen to vertically reconnect the large prefabricated cages made of #11 rebar.

To perform this application, cages are prefabricated on the ground before being split by unscrewing all the couplers on one side.

Once lifted and positioned on top of each other, with the same bars matching those they previously spliced, the cage reconnection can then be made using standard Bartec couplers.

AVE Palencia-Santander high-speed rail project is a significant infrastructure undertaking aimed at connecting Palencia and Santander in Spain. This project involves the construction of extensive railway networks, viaducts, and bridges, underscoring the need for a strong and resilient foundation. Recognising the critical importance of ensuring the structural integrity of the concrete piles, the project management sought advanced testing methodologies.

Dextra played a pivotal role in ensuring the robustness of the project’s foundation by supplying Sonitec Crosshole Sonic Logging (CSL) testing tubes. These tubes were instrumental in conducting comprehensive structural integrity tests on the concrete piles of AVE Palencia-Santander USR Package 1 (Palencia – Palencia Norte) and Package 2 (Palencia Norte – Amusco).

Crosshole Sonic Logging is a non-destructive testing method widely employed to assess the quality and integrity of concrete piles. It involves the use of sonic waves transmitted through the concrete between two access tubes, allowing engineers to evaluate the material’s properties and identify potential defects.

Sonitec tubes are specially designed for Crosshole Sonic Logging, ensuring precise and reliable data collection during structural integrity tests. These tubes are embedded in the concrete piles during construction, providing access points for the sonic wave transmission.

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