Overview of Bridge Erection Machines
A bridge erection machine is a large-scale lifting and transportation equipment used for installing precast bridge girders in bridge construction, primarily in railway, highway, and urban rail transit projects. Its core function is to lift precast girders (such as T-girders and box girders) from transport vehicles and place them on piers or abutments to complete the assembly of the bridge's main structure. It is characterized by high efficiency, strong safety, and a high degree of automation.
CRCC's Layout and Strength in Bridge Erection Machines
- Subsidiaries like China Railway 11th Bureau Hanjiang Heavy Industry and CRCC Heavy Industry develop various types of bridge erection machines, covering railway, highway, and rail-road dual-use bridge erectors, suitable for girder erection with different spans (20m to 100+m) and tonnages (hundreds to thousands of tons).
- Representative products:
- 900-ton Box Girder Erector for High-Speed Railways: Designed for high-speed rail projects, applied in major projects like Beijing-Shanghai and Wuhan-Guangzhou High-Speed Railways.
- Large-Span Rail-Road Dual-Use Erector: Suitable for steel box girder lifting in ultra-large bridges like Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link.
- Walking-Type Erector: Modular design for narrow terrains like mountainous areas and tunnel exits.
- Intelligent innovations: Integrated with IoT monitoring systems for real-time parameter tracking, supporting customized designs for complex scenarios.
- Full-process capabilities: Covers precast girder production, transportation, and erection, forming an "equipment + construction" synergy.
Classification and Typical Applications
| Type |
Features |
Typical Applications |
| Single-Girder Erector |
Single main girder structure, hoist moves along the girder; suitable for small-to-medium spans. |
Urban road bridges, low-speed railway bridges. |
| Double-Girder Erector |
Parallel dual-girder structure for high stability and load capacity; suitable for large spans and heavy girders. |
High-speed railways, expressway bridges, river-crossing bridges. |
| Truss-Type Erector |
Truss structure enhances rigidity; capable of spanning obstacles during erection. |
Complex terrain bridges, urban viaducts with obstacles. |
| Launching Gantry Erector |
Self-propelled gantry system for sequential erection of long-span continuous beam bridges. |
Highway overpasses, intercity railway projects. |
Significance in China's Infrastructure
- Efficiency Enhancement: Mechanized construction shortens cycles by 30-50% and reduces high-altitude operation risks.
- Strategic Support: Supports major projects like Belt and Road, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Sichuan-Tibet Railway, overcoming complex geology.
- Industrial Upgrading: Shifted from "import dependence" to "independent innovation," with products exported globally, enhancing international competitiveness.
Future Development Trends
- Intelligentization: Integration of 5G, AI, and digital twin for automated construction and remote maintenance.
- Large-Scale Development: R&D of 150m+ span and 5,000-ton class erectors for ultra-large bridge projects.
- Green Technology: Application of electric/hybrid systems and energy-saving technologies to reduce carbon footprint.
- Modular Design: Development of rapid-deployment models for emergency projects and disaster reconstruction.
