武汉力量再造“世界之最”跨江大桥

Core Viewpoint - The Changtai Yangtze River Bridge, the world's largest span cable-stayed bridge, officially opened on September 9, marking a significant breakthrough in China's bridge technology and establishing itself as a milestone in super-large span multifunctional bridge engineering [1][4]. Group 1: Bridge Specifications and Features - The bridge connects Changzhou and Taizhou, reducing travel time from 1 hour and 20 minutes to approximately 20 minutes [1]. - It is the only dual-layer composite river crossing in China, featuring a six-lane upper deck for highways and a lower deck for urban roads and intercity railways [1]. - The total length of the bridge is 10.03 kilometers, with the combined road and rail section measuring 5.3 kilometers [1]. Group 2: Engineering Innovations - The bridge's towers reach a height of 350 meters, equivalent to 120 stories, showcasing the engineering challenges associated with large spans [2]. - Four innovative designs were introduced, including a unique foundation type and a hybrid structural design for the bridge towers, which are globally pioneering [2]. - The main bridge consists of 91 steel truss segments, with the heaviest segment weighing 1,865.5 tons, achieved using a self-developed 1,800-ton bridge deck crane, the largest of its kind in the world [3]. Group 3: Construction Challenges and Techniques - The construction process, which began in October 2019, faced numerous challenges, particularly with the underwater steel caissons that support the bridge [3]. - Advanced technologies were employed, including an intelligent soil removal process and underwater robotic equipment, to ensure the caissons were safely positioned [3]. - A total of 390 sensors were installed to monitor the construction process in real-time, enhancing safety and control [3].