Hydro power plant Matka Republic of Macedonia enlargement of surge tank:
ing. Emanuel Novák, 2005
The existing surge tank will be enlarged from its original capacity of 305 m3 to the required effective capacity of 1440 m3, the actual capacity is greater - 1962 m3.

It is assumed that the rock will be excavated by blasting, using suitable explosives, systematically adhering to the smooth blast theory. In view of the tunnel height, it will be preferable to excavate the tunnel using the zoned cross-section technique, with at least two zones – callote and support. But a better solution seems to be splitting the cross-section vertically to 4 stages, so that it is not necessary to erect scaffolding for shotcreting works. Shot concrete should be applied in stages.
In view of the tunnel cross-section and seismic loads (9o MCS), 400 mm lining of elliptical shape with a bottom 500 mm thick vault has been designed. The lining will be reinforced with meshing and arches of reinforcement steel. It is assumed that wet shot concrete technology will be deployed. The reinforcement will use steel of shear strength fyk (or f0.2k) = 400 – 600 MPa, ductility class C by EN 1992 is essential. The fixing of lining and face reinforcement (as well as lining and walls of the entrance room to the surge tank, 400 mm thick) must have allowance for seismic loads, all joints must allow considerable ductility.
In view of the tunnel cross-section and seismic loads (9o MCS), 400 mm lining of elliptical shape with a bottom 500 mm thick vault has been designed. The lining will be reinforced with meshing and arches of reinforcement steel. It is assumed that wet shot concrete technology will be deployed. The reinforcement will use steel of shear strength fyk (or f0.2k) = 400 – 600 MPa, ductility class C by EN 1992 is essential. The fixing of lining and face reinforcement (as well as lining and walls of the entrance room to the surge tank, 400 mm thick) must have allowance for seismic loads, all joints must allow considerable ductility.