Pereira-Manizales Highway Tunnel
The Pereira-Manizales Highway Tunnel was constructed as part of a road complex near Pereira, Colombia, connecting the municipalities of Dosquebradas and Santa Rosa de Cabal.
The project was owned by the Autopistas del Café Group, with the engineering team led by Carlos Zubieta Uribe, the project director, and Jorge Ardila, the project designer. The tunnel was built through complex geological formations consisting of green and graphitic schists, including fractured rock zones and areas of intense weathering. These conditions created a high risk of severe water infiltration, requiring a reliable and permanent waterproofing solution. As the region does not experience extreme temperature variations, the selected waterproofing approach needed to perform effectively under consistently humid conditions.
CIP SA – Ingeniería para el Concreto was engaged to address these challenges. After evaluating the project’s strict performance requirements, local climate conditions, and challenging geology, Xypex Crystalline Technology was selected for its proven performance in tunnel applications. Xypex Admix 2000 was incorporated into the fresh concrete as the primary integral waterproofing solution, as it was the most suitable admixture for the project’s environmental conditions. Additional protection was provided using Xypex Concentrate and Xypex Patch’n Plug at joints, penetrations, and localized repair areas. These products, when applied to concrete, activate a chemical reaction between the proprietary Xypex active components, moisture, and unhydrated cement particles. This reaction forms insoluble crystals that fill pores, capillaries, and micro-cracks, effectively blocking water and harmful agents, such as chlorides and sulfates.
