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China's innovation brings the world a 5.000-tonne tunnel boring machine with the largest diameter ever seen
Innovation in engineering. China has taken a major step forward in its technological advancement by completing production of its largest tunnel boring machine (TBM). Named Jianghai, which means “river and ocean” in Chinese, the machine has a diameter of 16,64 meters and an impressive weight of approximately 5.000 tons. Its total length is 145 meters, which makes it the largest TBM designed and manufactured in China.
The construction of Jianghai was carried out in the city of Changsha, Hunan Province, through a collaboration between China Railway Construction Heavy Industry (CRCHI) and China Railway 14th Bureau Group (CR14G). This milestone reflects China’s potential to lead innovation in drilling technology and the country’s growing industrial capacity.
A leap forward for infrastructure engineering
The Jianghai machine is designed for use in a large-scale project: the construction of a tunnel under the Yangtze River in Jiangsu province. The tunnel, which is part of a 39-kilometer highway, will be 11,2 kilometers long and will reach depths of up to 75 meters. It is scheduled for completion in 2028 and is considered one of the most complex projects in the region.
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According to a You Shaoqiang, chief engineer of the CR14G project, challenges for drilling include the presence of groundwater, soft soil and silt, conditions that make traditional manual methods impossible. However, with the technological advancement of the new TBM, drilling is expected to be completed in approximately two and a half years, with progress of 12 to 16 meters per day.
Cutting-edge technology and precision of China's technology
The TBM has a cutting head measuring 16,64 meters in diameter, equivalent to a five- or six-story building. With this magnitude, excavation accuracy must be maintained to within 1 centimeter to ensure the safety of the Yangtze River dams, a challenge that demonstrates the high level of engineering involved.
The president of CRCHI, Zhao Hui, highlighted that this machine represents a milestone for the industry, reflecting the progress and tireless work of Chinese engineers. In 2022, the same collaboration between CRCHI and CR14G had produced a 16,07-meter TBM for a project in Beijing, but the current design surpasses previous specifications in scale and capacity.
Recent technological innovations
In May, China also announced the development of a drilling and blasting machine (BBM), the world's first with this technology, increasing efficiency by 30% compared to traditional methods. This technology was developed by China Railway Science & Industry Group Corporation in partnership with Tsinghua University.
The BBM stands out for its ability to operate in extreme conditions and for its simultaneous drilling and blasting methods. Researchers at Tsinghua University say the machine could be used in a wide range of projects, from water conservation to infrastructure construction and mining.
Impact and future of technology
To the deputy head of Jiangsu transportation project construction department, Wang Jun, the new TBM is an essential step for the development of the province. According to him, the ability to deal with complex challenges in geology and underground pressures reinforces China's position as a leader in large-scale engineering solutions.
Future applications of this technology promise significant advances in global projects, positioning China as a pioneer in the sector. The combination of efficiency, safety and smart technology will make these systems increasingly sought after in infrastructure projects around the world.
What a performance the Chinese give to Europeans and Americans when it comes to construction.
The Chinese government does not follow the rules imposed by the European Union and the United States (the latter do not follow them fully either, by the way), as the current Brazilian government, which is a sellout and **** of its own sovereignty, follows. This is the practical result.
Environmental rules*
The sellout government was not the one that sold the refinery, Sabesp, SP sports lottery, Eletrobras or am I confused?
Hahaha… You know a lot by wanting to use this as an argument. Companies that the government only used to suck money and bankrupt them. This **** government knows how to do this best. Like it does with Petrobras… Congratulations to those who believe in a s… government like this… Go read and study more to find out what adds more to a country.
Delivery man?
What did the government deliver, tell us so we know. Since you are certainly a ****, you should know that if there was someone who delivered something it was that ****, who gave ELETROBRAS to the inactive private sector. Go study, **** politician.
Wonderful show of the ball congratulations to the developers excellent innovation. Note: Germany also has one of these machines widely used in subway tunnel works and much more throughout the world!!!
If it's like Chinese cars, it must be a huge ****
Accept that China is very developed and giant in many aspects!
The huge ××××× is your xenophobic opinion
These so-called right-wing governments destroy what the states have built, selling it to their cronies, it's all a scam, just look at the auction of schools in São Paulo, the winner was part of the "****" government. They speak badly of the Chinese and end up surrendering to them, for example, there's the "SHIT" government in Argentina.