Reinforced Earth® Wall for lignite handling plant in Barmer in the state of Rajasthan.

Project Details

SYSTEM

TerraClass™ with HA™ Steel Strips

OWNER

Barmer Lignite Mining Company Limited

CONTRACTOR

FL Smidth

CONSTRUCTION YEAR

2014

DESIGNER + CONSULTANT

Engineering Solutions for Projects & Industrial Constructions

Background

Government of Rajasthan (GoR) and Raj WestPower Limited (RWPL, a subsidiary company of JSW Energy Limited), entered into an Implementation Agreement (IA) dated May 29, 2006 for implementation, operation and maintenance of lignite mining cum thermal power plants with associated facilities for 1080 MW (8×135 MW) based on lignite as fuel from the Jalipa & Kapurdi Lignite Mines located at Dist. Barmer in Rajasthan. Initially the Lignite was loaded over trucks to the Thermal Power plants located approximately 2-3 kms from the lignite handling plant.

Challenge

Asingle tier Reinforced Earth Dump Wall at a Height of approximately 25 metres in difficult weather conditions of high heat and extreme temperature. Most part of the Barmer district is covered by desert sand and sand dunes, hence stability of the Reinforced Wall structure at that height was a huge challenge due to thesettlement.

Solution

I n a detailed design process, Geoquest in India used in-house technical knowhow to design the Reinforced Earth wall using High Adherence (HA™) Galvanized Steel Strips as soil reinforcing elements with well graded fill material having angle of internal friction (ɸ) > 32°, considering surcharge for dumpers carrying the lignite and settlement factor

Geoquest in India successfully designed the structure considering all the requirements of the client to construct its highest Reinforced Earth dump wall with a height of 24.30m. Terre Armée in India supplied enough moulds, keeping the tight construction period in mind, to produce precast panels well in advance.

The entire construction of the 1277 sq m Reinforced Earth® wall was completed in the stipulated in five months without any cause for complaint and safety lapse.