The world’s tallest Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge has successfully passed a crucial load test ahead of its scheduled opening this year. The statistical load test was one that was to last from August 21 to the 25th before opening to traffic. The bridge was tested using 96 trucks each weighing 35 tonnes as they were driven onto the bridge in stages. Through this assessment, the total load that the bridge managed to handle weighed about 3,360 tonnes.
The grand infrastructure stretches across the karst mountains of Guizhou Province in southwest China. The scheduled load test was considered the final step before the bridge is opened to the public. During the test, the trucks were sent in a slow procession and were also parked at designated points. Furthermore, more than 400 sensors were set on the bridge to verify the minor shifts in the main span, towers, cables, and suspenders. After the five-day testing, engineers confirmed that the bridge had met its safety standards. The much anticipated bridge is expected to be open for public use in September.
Project Factsheet
Type: Suspension bridge
Location: Guizhou Province, China
Contractors: Guizhou Bridge Construction Group, Alimak
Length: 2,980 meters
Length of main steel span: 1,420 meters
Height above water surface: 625 meters
Start of construction: January 2022
Opening: September 2025
Significance: World’s tallest bridge and largest span bridge built in mountainous terrain
The Significance of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge as the World’s Tallest
The significance of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge as the world’s tallest bridge is one that cannot be underestimated. The construction and completion of the project highlights an unprecedented engineering feat. The same remarks were also reiterated by project manager Wu Zhaoming who is with Guizhou Transportation Investment Group Co., Ltd. Moreover, he noted that the crew working on the bridge overcame challenges such as controlling temperature in massive concrete pours. The crew also had to deal with the challenge of securing slopes in the steep canyon terrain, all while facing powerful winds.
The construction of the massive structure began in January 2022. It has a stretch of 2,890 meters and also 1,420 meters of central span and is the largest span bridge built in mountainous terrain worldwide. From deck to water, it rises 625 meters, a height that also makes it the tallest bridge in the world. Guizhou is now home to more than 30,000 bridges, including the world’s three tallest. Nearly half of the world’s top 100 highest bridges are located in Guizhou, earning it the nickname “the world’s bridge museum.”
what was the allowable design deflection during loading and unloading , and acheived deflection and rebound at site, why was load kept for 5 days and not less or more time any specific reason, why this amount of load was selected for testing
Very impressive.
N. J. Gardner Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa
Probably the worst colour ever chosen for a bridge. Inspired.