This morning (15th) the "Xiajin" shield machine with an excavation diameter of 16.15 meters was launched in Nantong, Jiangsu. The shield machine will be used for the tunnel construction of the Xiamen Bridge (Xiamen Section), the largest diameter shield road tunnel in the southeast region. It is expected that excavation will be started by the end of May this year.
According to Wang Hui, Minister of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering of the A4 Standard Project of the 14th Railway Bureau Xiajin Bridge (Xiamen Section), the excavation diameter of the "Xiajin" shield machine is 16.15 meters, with a maximum thrust of 20,000 tons, and a total weight of about 5,100 tons. The length of the entire shield machine is 165 meters, which is equivalent to the length of the six high-speed rail carriages. In order to cope with the complex granite geological conditions in the tunnel construction area, during the construction process, they designed and optimized the shield machine, and were equipped with the most advanced intelligent excavation and monitoring system at present.
It is reported that the starting point of the Xiamen-Jin Bridge (Xiamen Section) is located at the intersection of Xiamen Huandao East Road and Huizhan North Road. It spans the eastern waters of the island in the form of tunnels and bridges. The end point is connected to Xiamen New Airport. The main line is 17.34 kilometers long. The land tunnel section is 6 lanes in both directions, with a designed speed of 80 kilometers per hour. The cross-sea bridge section is 8 lanes in both directions, and a designed speed of 100 kilometers per hour. After completion, it will become the most convenient channel between Xiamen Island and Xiang'an Airport, effectively alleviating the traffic pressure in Xiang'an's entry and exit channels and the new airport area, and greatly improving traffic efficiency.
(Reporters from General Station Tang Gaolin and Mao Chengkun)
