PERI has made Tunnel formwork systems simple to use

In its VTC tunnel formwork system, PERI has integrated many simplifications and features which make it easier for site personnel to operate the formwork says Raj Lakhani, Managing Director – PERI (India) Private Limited.

What kind of projects are best suited for the VTC Tunnel Formwork System?
With the exception of long mining tunnels without any change in cross-section, we are always able to offer a technically excellent and attractively priced solution with our VTC tunnel system.

The initial investment on the tunnel formwork system is high, what kind of advantages does it offer to the end user?
Firstly in order to avoid the high investment, customers can rent the tunnel formwork carriage solution from PERI. This means that the customer pays PERI monthly rent for the duration of use. Of course, the customer can also buy the tunnel formwork carriage – this is a very interesting option, especially for long periods of use.

Our customers can configure the tunnel formwork carriage exactly to their needs. From the high-end solution with low on-site personnel requirements and many convenient functions to the standard solution. This can be seen, for example, in the lifting and lowering device: high-end: with a hydraulic unit and hydraulic cylinders, the tunnel formwork carriage can be raised and lowered at the push of a button – by one man. A manual procedure using a jack can be employed wherein each person with a jack can work in tandem to raise and lower the tunnel formwork carriage manually: On construction sites, the help of a construction vehicle can also be taken. Proper measures can be taken to ensure that warping can be moved safely. In other words, our technical advisors discuss the customer’s ideas and wishes in advance, and can respond to them individually and offer the most suitable solution.

Keeping the cost in mind, what kind of pre-planning is required to ensure the best results are achieved?
That depends on the project. Tunneling is very multifaceted, so it is not possible to generalize. However, timely coordination between PERI and the customer is necessary – in order to be able to work out the best possible solution together in the early planning phase. This usually allows the customer to reduce the total project cost.

Considering that Tunnel formwork systems require the services of highly skilled labourers, is it a feasible idea in the current scenario, wherein there is shortage of manpower?
In its VTC tunnel formwork system, PERI has integrated many simplifications and features which make it easier for site personnel to operate the formwork. Many details make sure that mistakes cannot be made in the first place. These clever solutions can be explained to the customer in detail by the specialist consultant in a coordination meeting. In other words, especially in the case of “high-end” equipment, many of the work steps are simplified or even removed. Hence very few well-trained workers are needed.

Tell us about Bandra Kurla Complex underground station project.
The Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) is an underground station on the Mumbai Metro, a rapid transit system that is currently under construction. The rapid transit system in the Indian metropolis will serve the city of Mumbai itself as well as its entire metropolitan area in the federal state of Maharashtra. By supplying comprehensive formwork and scaffolding solutions, PERI has been providing assistance since construction began on the major project in April 2019 so that the BKC can be completed within the demanding construction time-scale of only 14 months.

PERI has delivered around 480 tonnes of formwork and scaffolding material to the client’s construction site. The planning and construction engineers from PERI have also been on hand to support and train the construction site team throughout the entire process in an effort to ensure that the major construction project is completed within the scheduled construction period of 14 months. The Bandra Kurla Complex is scheduled for completion in 2020.

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