Panama Canal; It is the pride of the engineering world, the shortcut of sailors and the curiosity of adventure seekers. So, how exactly do you think the engineering behind this channel works?
This incredible structure Bringing the Atlantic and the Pacific together It offers ships the opportunity to bypass thousands of kilometers of winding routes while traveling to the other side of the world.
So what’s the story behind this marvel of engineering and what keeps it running? What are the miraculous mechanisms? We are sure you will be amazed when you learn it!
The Panama Canal is a waterway approximately 20 meters above sea level.
To reach a height of 20 metres, the ships are locked through a series of cleverly designed locking systems. is increased gradually. This system moves ships up and down like an elevator, thus moving ships between the Atlantic and the Pacific. balanced flow of water provides.
This revolutionary design of American engineers, much more than an ordinary lock mechanism it states. Giant cranes supported by steam locomotives and the tiny houses on them are just a part of this system.
inside the houses steam machine, While lifting buckets full of concrete, he also skillfully manages this complex job.
Panama’s rugged terrain made building the canal more of a challenge than a dream.
Construction of the Panama Canal.
First attempts of French engineers It ended in disaster. Landslides, tropical diseases and excessive rainfall disrupted the project, but the Americans did not give up. Instead of building a new one in harmony with nature They found a solution.
They solved the problem by digging only the necessary sections and then filling the area with water. Of course, in this process Gatun Lake was created and they created the channel by floating it over this artificial body of water.
The construction of the Panama Canal was not only limited to the manipulation of water, but also It also required huge machines to shape the soil. Each played a critical role in the formation of the Culebra Cut, making inter-ocean passage possible.
At the final of the project, With the detonation of dynamite in Gamboa Dike The Atlantic and the Pacific finally meet. The Panama Canal was equipped with innovations such as electric locomotives that guided ships and miter locks designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
The operation of the canal is based on the simple but powerful principles of water.
The ship enters the lock area and water is then released to raise the ship. The process we are talking about is Repeats until it returns to sea level however, the process requires constant water intake from Gatun Lake.
You guessed it, drought It can pose a threat to the entire system. Fortunately, the difficulties experienced during the drought in 2019 were overcome with sufficient rainfall and the flow of the canal was preserved.
Do you think the Panama Canal is a symbol of man’s ability to shape nature? Isn’t it a tangible proof of engineering vision? Each passage is a reminder of the intelligence and labor behind this incredible structure.
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