400,000 tons of steel for the construction of the longest sea bridge

China has inaugurated the longest sea bridge in the world, built with 400,000 tons of steel. The bridge is 55 kilometers long. This bridge connects three important points: Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai. And the investment amounted to 20 billion dollars, the construction works being started in 2009.

The first idea to build a bridge connecting Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland was from one of Hong Kong’s biggest real estate developers: Sir Gordon Wu.

The magnate proposed this connection in 1983, when the metropolis was still a British colony. But he had to wait another two decades, until Beijing and the local authorities accepted the viability of the work.

Wu had already established himself as a pioneer in many other similar initiatives. Such as the 122-kilometer highway that connects the Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou. The first private toll road that was opened in the country – or the first luxury hotel in continental territory. But the inauguration of this maritime bridge will allow him to visualize what he has always defined as his „biggest dream”.

Maritime steel bridge – the advantages of the steel used in its construction

400,000 tons of steel were used in the construction of the bridge, almost five times more than the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

The main advantages of structural steel compared to other construction materials are its strength and ductility. The rigidity of steel in relation to its weight is much higher than that of concrete.

Modern steel bridges benefit from the latest advances in automated manufacturing. And the construction techniques are able to offer economic solutions for safety requirements, fast construction, aesthetics, minimal maintenance and flexibility in future use.

An important advantage brought by the construction of this maritime bridge is that it will reduce the travel time from Hong Kong to Zhuhai to 30 minutes from 3-4 hours.

Also, the construction includes a very complicated segment. From a technical point of view: a submarine tunnel, between two artificial islands (100,000 square meters each). It was built to allow the transit of commercial vessels in the area.

In addition, this steel sea bridge was built to withstand super typhoons and strong winds. Also, in earthquakes up to 8 degrees on the Richter scale. The Chinese authorities say that the construction of this bridge is part of a plan to establish a special metropolitan area – Greater Bay Area. Which would incorporate 11 cities from the coastal area, with 68 million inhabitants. Macao and Hong Kong are also included here.

Article source: http://www.tellerreport.com/news/–the-last-delirium-of-chinese-engineering–the-longest-maritime-bridge-in-the-world-.HJuPlg2o7.html