The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Channel project, a monumental construction undertaking spanning approximately 24 kilometers, represents a significant advancement in infrastructure engineering. Key features include the Lingdingyang Bridge, a colossal sea suspension bridge with a main span of 1,666 meters, and the Zhongshan Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge with a main span of 580 meters. Additionally, the project incorporates various approach bridges to facilitate land and sea traffic.
A highlight of the project is the S07 bridge section, managed by China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Co., Ltd. This section achieved a remarkable feat by successfully pouring a 60-meter concrete box girder weighing 2,800 tons. Drawing on experiences from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge project, the company implemented a “smart beam yard,” a cutting-edge facility that leverages modern technology, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and Building Information Modeling (BIM), to enhance and automate the construction process.
Innovations and Technology in the Smart Beam Yard
The smart beam yard features six primary systems:
- Concrete Processing
- Steel Bar Processing
- Material Procurement
- Tensioning and Grouting
- Template Management
- Central Control and Monitoring
According to Lu Qing, who oversees the smart beam yard, the facility’s long, linear layout promotes efficient beam production and transportation. The movable factory building allows operations to continue smoothly, even in adverse weather conditions.
Facility Layout and Efficiency
The yard is strategically divided into ten key areas, including a concrete delivery center, steel bar processing center, prefabrication area, and storage zones. This arrangement functions akin to a “supermarket” for beam production, significantly reducing manual labor. Previously, over 100 workers were needed; now, only about 30 are required.
Centralized Management and Automation
The 6,000-square-meter steel bar processing center is highly automated, minimizing the need for manual intervention. The BIM control center plays a crucial role in overseeing the entire process, coordinating the smart beam yard, steel bar processing, concrete control, and monitoring systems. This centralized approach ensures real-time tracking, standardizes construction processes, and digitizes business management.
Data-Driven Decision Making
The control center gathers and analyzes data to identify and rectify issues promptly, fostering continuous improvement and efficiency. This sophisticated method positions the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Channel project as a premier example of modern, innovative infrastructure development, showcasing how advanced technology and effective project management can achieve extraordinary results.
In summary, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Channel project, now operational, stands as a world-class achievement, integrating bridges, islands, tunnels, and underground interchanges with state-of-the-art technology and management practices.
