Stress Mitigation and Execution of Civil and Mechanical Works to Achieve the Definitive Alignment of Adduction Pipes of Ayurá WTP, Part of the Water Distribution System of Aburrá Valley

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe the diagnosis and execution procedure developed by many employees and contractors of EPM (Empresas Públicas de Medellín) in the alignment of two adduction pipes that transport near 65% of water supplied by the Aburrá Valley Distribution System (Antioquia, Colombia). Both pipes (of 800mm and 900mm) were installed 35 years and 43 years ago, respectively, and are part of the system that allows the water conduction from La Fe reservoir, in the El Retiro municipality, to La Aruyá Water Treatment Plant (WTP), in Envigado municipality. Over time and especially by the intensification of the harsh winter weather during the last four years, the soil has lost systematically its stability causing pipes to lose its original position.In accordance with the geological and geotechnical studies developed in 2011, was necessary mitigate the stress exerted on the pipe and to advance in works in order to protect pipes against the risk of new earthworks, earthquakes or other phenomena. The scheduling of activities started in July of 2011, beginning with the development of a drainage system to drain excess water and stabilize the soil. The alignment procedure did not require emptying pipes and was included the participation of about 100 people in each stage. This made possible the conception, adjustment and fabrication of realignment systems, brackets construction and fabrication of structures to support the machinery responsible for displace the pipes and dissipate the stress on pipes. The procedure developed did not require the service suspension due to the flexibility of the other two Water Treatment Plants: Manantiales and Villa Hermosa, which assumed the decreased flow in La Aruyá Water Treatment Plant [1–3].