A Concrete Sample Was Pulled from the New Panama Canal Locks and It Does Not Look Good

gCaptain ^ | August 27, 2015 | Mike Schuler

[artichokegrower]

A core sample pulled from the concrete of the Cocoli Locks where cracks and leaks have appeared does not bode well for the Panama Canal expansion project, which is on a strict deadline for completion in April 2016.

The crack and subsequent leaks appeared recently in the concrete of one of the interior chambers of the new Cocoli Locks on the Pacific side of the waterway during testing of the new locks.

[sphinx]

Looks kinda like the U.S. border with Mexico.

[BitWielder1]

Boston Freepers will be familiar with the pictured problem. Probably the same contractor.

Yep, the substandard concrete used in Boston's Big Dig was the first thing I was thinking of also.

[Quality_Not_Quantity]

We’re going to need more scaffolding.

[lacrew]

The sample shows very poorly consolidated concrete - wasn’t properly vibrated.

And the leak appears to be along a cold joint between pours.

Both items are probably very difficult to control in large scale construction like this, with concrete many feet thick. Obviously many in the world are able to overcome these challenges, but this contractor didn’t know how.

What a mess.

[mikey_hates_everything]

The article has a photo describing the "seeping" water. The video shows spraying water from the cracks. That won't last.

[Starstruck]

Lemme guess, the Chinese built this section?

This is a European project. The Chinese have nothing to do with it.

[tiki]

I have seen them use cardboard for reinforcement in Mexico and they always use too much sand.

[cripplecreek]

Yeah, not even the Chinese are going to simply look the other way on this one. This must be fixed or there WILL be a disaster.

[expat_panama]

same thread @ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3330143/posts

[lurk]

Reinforced by high quality chinese rebar. What could go wrong?

[CaptainAmiigaf]

Looks like someone has done what neither the Germans or the Japanese navies were able to do during WWII. The existence of that open waterway was a vital weapon for us.

[dfwgator]

Boston Freepers will be familiar with the pictured problem. Probably the same contractor.

"Just going to see O'Reilly dear."

[Jimmy Valentine]

If it’s not Yanqui built it’s no damn good!

[bgill]

America’s fault.

[dsrtsage]

They probably used cheap columbian labor

[Boogieman]

“European” is pretty broad. Bet it ain’t the Germans that screwed this one up...

[Balding_Eagle]

That look more like a ‘cold break’ than poor concrete break.

It looks like they quit pouring, the concrete set, and then they began pouring fresh concrete on top again.

Poor management, not poor concrete.

[Starstruck]

“European” is pretty broad. Bet it ain’t the Germans that screwed this one up...

Spain and Italy I believe.

[IYAS9YAS]

So let Chinese fix it!

Chinese didn't pour it. In reading some background, the companies behind this are European.

[Starstruck]

Interesting (to me) fact. The Hoover dam’s concrete which was poured in the 1930’s will not totally finish curing until about 2060.