A summary of the design of the Inlet and Outlet Monoliths, Approach Structures, and Water Saving Basins of the Panama Canal Third Set of Locks (TSL) is presented, including challenges encountered, areas of innovation for the features, and construction photos.
Inlet and Outlet Monoliths (Wing Walls) are complicated structures located at the beginning and end of the lock complexes that were built for the Panama Canal TSL Expansion. The Wing Walls function both as earth retaining structures and water intakes and outlets. Water enters and exits the lock chambers through the culverts in the Wing Walls. Four sets of Wing Walls were built for the TSL project, at the inlet and outlet of the Pacific and Atlantic Lock Complexes. The concrete monoliths vary in size and are each up to 14,000 cubic meters in concrete volume. The Wing Walls incorporated several challenging aspects into the design.
Approach Structures are required to help pilots align or pre-position vessels to reduce entrance time into the lock chamber. The Approach Structures also protect vessels and surrounding structures from accidental berth impacts. There are three Approach Structures; they are located at the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Lake, and Pacific Ocean sites. Each Approach Structure is approximately 450 meters in length.
Water Saving Basins (WSB) have been designed for this Panama Canal TSL project so that approximately 60% of the lock chamber water will be recycled. Even though the new Third Set of Locks are 60% wider and 40% longer than the existing locks, they will use less water due to the Water Saving Basins. The Water Saving Basins occupy an area equivalent to 54 football fields at each Pacific and Atlantic Complex. The components of the Water Saving Basins include: Trifurcations, Valve Structures, WSB Conduits, Basin Inlet Structures, Basin Floors, and Basin Dividing Walls.