China's new architectural wonder: a 46,000-ton bridge rotates successfully
Updated: July 31, 2019 09:30Xinhua
This aerial photo taken on July 30, 2019 shows two parts of a bridge above the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway after they are successfully rotated to their targeted positions using the swivel construction method in Baoding, North China's Hebei province. China has adopted the swivel construction method in building many bridges to minimize the interference on the traffic below. The method helps overcome the constraints of environment and traffic, while shortening the construction period. [Photo/Xinhua]
BEIJING — A bridge, weighing 46,000 tons and measuring 263.6 meters long, was successfully rotated to its targeted position in Baoding, North China's Hebei province on July 30.
The bridge swiveled around an angle of 52.4 degrees in 68 minutes above the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, minimizing the interference on the railway traffic running below.
The bridge was constructed by the South Branch of the China Construction Communications Engineering Group Corporation. The weight and span of the swivel bridge refreshed the world record.
A spherical hinge, which is the "axis" supporting the rotating body, is a major piece of equipment used to turn the bridge. The diameter of the spherical hinge used in the project reached 6.5 meters, setting a new world record.
China has adopted the swivel construction method in building many bridges. The method helps overcome the constraints of environment and traffic, while shortening the construction period.
This aerial photo taken on July 30, 2019 shows two parts of a bridge above the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway after they are successfully rotated to their targeted positions using the swivel construction method in Baoding, North China's Hebei province. [Photo/Xinhua]
This aerial photo taken on July 30, 2019 shows two parts of a bridge above the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway before they are successfully rotated to their targeted positions using the swivel construction method in Baoding, North China's Hebei province. [Photo/Xinhua]
This combo photo shows two parts of a bridge above the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway before (top, photo taken on July 29, 2019) and after (bottom, photo taken on July 30, 2019) they are successfully rotated to their targeted positions using the swivel construction method in Baoding, North China's Hebei province. [Photo/Xinhua]
This aerial photo taken on July 30, 2019 shows two parts of a bridge above the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway after they are successfully rotated to their targeted positions using the swivel construction method in Baoding, North China's Hebei province. [Photo/Xinhua]
