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Measuring 17,5 meters in diameter and weighing more than 5.200 tons, China is moving forward with the construction of the world's largest underwater tunnel in Jinan, using the powerful “Shanhe” machine to drill 15 meters per day under the Yellow River!
If there's one country that doesn't mess around when it comes to construction, it's China. And now, they're taking their expertise to an absurd level. In Jinan, a city about four and a half hours by car from Beijing, a gigantic underwater tunnel is taking shape – and it's not just any tunnel. We're talking about the largest in the world in terms of diameter, a true engineering monster that will connect the banks of the Yellow River and make life easier for thousands of people.
But for that to happen, there is a colossal machine doing all the work dirty – the “Shanhe”, a boring machine so big it looks like something out of science fiction. How is this tunnel being built? What makes this machine such an absurd piece of technology?
The grand construction of the largest underwater tunnel in the world
The tunnel is being dug in Jinan, a major city in Shandong province. The goal? To create a gigantic underpass, with six lanes of highway divided into two levels, ensuring that traffic flows without the usual chaos of crowded bridges and slow ferries.
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Crossing the Yellow River can be a test of patience these days. The new tunnel promises to completely change that, making the crossing much faster, safer and more predictable. No more relying on the weather or endless traffic jams!
Well, it's not just a matter of digging a hole and that's it. The construction is highly complex and requires surgical precision. Every two meters excavated, a set of concrete structural rings is installed to reinforce the tunnel and prevent groundwater from invading the passage. This process is repeated endlessly, in a meticulous work that requires cutting-edge machinery and highly specialized teams.
Shanhe – The powerful machine that is drilling the tunnel
If you think you’ve seen big machines before, get ready. The “Shanhe” isn’t just big, it’s a true engineering titan:
163 meters long – bigger than a 50-story building lying down!
Diameter 17,5 meters – practically a five-story building in width alone!
Weight of 5.200 tons – the equivalent of more than 700 African elephants!
E It's not just the size that impresses in this construction. The machine has 306 ultra-resistant cutters, advanced monitoring technology and a support system that allows drilling to take place without any surprises.
How does the drilling process work?
The “Shanhe” works at an impressive pace: it advances 15 meters per day, excavating and assembling the tunnel structure at the same time. While the cutting head crushes everything in its path, sensors and operators monitor every detail of the process.
As each section is completed, workers come in to install the structural rings, reinforcing the passage. This method allows the excavation to continue without interruption and the tunnel to take shape quickly.
Now, imagine the work involved in keeping a machine like this running non-stop. The team needs to monitor temperature, pressure, mud level, cutter wear and a myriad of other details to ensure that nothing gets out of control. Any mistake could mean a huge delay in the project – and nobody wants that.
Why is this construction a landmark for China (and the world)?
In addition to eliminating the hassles of crossing the bridge, this project will have a direct impact on the economy. The city of Jinan will become even more strategic, attracting investment, facilitating the transportation of goods and, of course, generating jobs.
Not to mention that an infrastructure of this size brings a great deal of status to the region. The tunnel will not only be functional – it will become a symbol of innovation and development for the whole of China.
If there's one thing China does well, it's large-scale infrastructure. And their dominance in this sector is surreal:
7 out of 10 tunnel boring machines sold in the world are Chinese.
In the country itself, 95% of these machines are manufactured locally.
This means that virtually every major tunnel built out there has a Chinese hand in the process. Not only do they dominate the market, they are also always one step ahead in innovation.
And it doesn't stop there: in addition to tunnel construction, China is also a leader in port infrastructure, railways and even batteries for electric vehicles. The country is setting the pace for global development in several sectors.
When will this giant work be completed?
The expectation is that everything will be ready by the end of this year. But, of course, a project of this size always has challenges along the way.
Keeping the “Shanhe” running smoothly, dealing with ground conditions and ensuring the safety of the structure are some of the challenges the team faces on a daily basis. That’s why construction is monitored 24 hours a day, with constant adjustments to ensure everything goes according to plan.
If the schedule is met, this tunnel will not be just another great work from China – it will go down in history as one of the most impressive engineering projects ever undertaken.
It's the United States, you lose, man.
The machine spoke of the matter with emphasis, but did not give any information about the size of this tunnel, the expected execution time, and the local factors for completion at the start and end locations of the project.
Yes, I forgot to mention the length of this tunnel... because the longest underwater tunnel in the world must not be... (under a river, perhaps). Crossing the **** river must not be a greater distance than the more than 30 km of the Eurotunnel, which connects England to continental Europe via France under the English Channel.