The Pergau Hydroelectric Project .3. civil engineering design

The Pergau Hydroelectric Project was built as a design and construct contract in Northern Peninsular Malaysia by an Anglo-Malaysian joint venture with funding assistance provided by the British Government, This paper discusses the principles of design development during the pre-contract stage and concentrates on the design options and philosophy leading to the final design solution for the following key aspects of the project works: (a) the Kuala Yong dam and diversion tunnel, (b) the underground powerhouse complex and (c) the pressure tunnels. It also describes briefly the reregulating pond and the aqueduct and pumping station, The paper demonstrates the requirement for the designer and contractor to work more closely together than usual, thereby resulting in significant benefits to the project in that designs can be prepared to suit construction methods and quickly varied to suit variable site conditions or other requirements, A number of particular issues are discussed which illustrate this relationship.