In a groundbreaking engineering feat, China has successfully rotated two halves of a 231-metre bridge into place over a busy highway.
The operation was executed by China Railway Fourth Engineering Bureau, marking a world first in bridge construction.
The bridge, spanning the G5011 Wuhu-Hefei Expressway, supports significant traffic flow and enhances infrastructure.
A unique mechanism enabled the seamless rotation of the asymmetrical T-beams, each weighing around 10,000 tonnes.
The structure forms a vital part of the Chaoma intercity railway line, set to operate by 2026.
In an unprecedented achievement, China orchestrated the rotation of two halves of a continuous beam railway bridge with an arch over a major highway, marking a ‘world first’ in the field of civil engineering. This complex operation was successfully conducted by the China Railway Fourth Engineering Bureau, an entity under the larger umbrella of China Railway Corporation, in the city of Ma’anshan during the early hours of November 12.
The bridge, which stretches 231 metres in length, comprises two rotating T-beams, each measuring 107.5 metres in length and 15.7 metres in width. These T-beams were cast parallel to the Ma’anshan West Hub of the G5011 Wuhu-Hefei Expressway, a significant traffic artery that handles 6,000 vehicles per hour during peak times.
This engineering marvel involved the construction of asymmetric spans, each weighing approximately 10,000 tonnes. Of note, one span was 800 tonnes heavier than its counterpart. Following construction, these spans were rotated into their final positions at an angle of 98 degrees, demonstrating both precision and innovation in civil engineering processes.
Central to this rotation was a specially designed mechanism featuring a rotating steel ball hinge, which itself measured 3.5 metres in width and weighed approximately 9 tonnes. This crucial component enabled the rotation and docking of the spans with an impressive accuracy, maintaining a tolerance within 5 millimetres.
Once the spans were successfully rotated and docked, the joint section of the bridge’s steel tube arch was installed, completing the structural formation. This engineering accomplishment represents the first instance of an asymmetric continuous beam with arch rotation globally, as noted by China Railway Group.
This bridge is an integral component of the 76-kilometre Chaoma intercity railway line, anticipated to facilitate train speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour upon its completion in 2026.
This innovative bridge rotation underscores China’s pioneering spirit in engineering and infrastructure development.
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