(March 21) According to the official WeChat account of China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, China's first ultra-large diameter earth pressure balance (EPB) shield machine, named "Pingdong No. 2," has officially rolled off the production line at CRCC's Changsha Second Industrial Park. The machine was jointly developed by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Metro Group, and Hydropower Bureau 7.
"Pingdong No. 2" has a total length of approximately 130 meters, a cutting diameter of 14.33 meters, and a total weight of 3,800 tons.
The shield machine's cutterhead is adorned with a depiction of mountains, rivers, and seven high-speed trains running side by side, symbolizing the builders' indomitable spirit and unwavering determination in overcoming challenges.
After leaving the factory, the equipment will be deployed to aid in the excavation of the Dan'ao shield section of the Shenzhen-Shenshan Cooperation Zone Railway Station project (SSSG-3).
The Dan'ao shield section has a tunnel length of 4,630.5 meters and features a single tunnel with double tracks. The maximum longitudinal gradient is 28‰. The tunnel runs parallel to the Xiamen-Shenzhen high-speed railway for a significant distance and passes under multiple structures, including the Dan'ao River and local residential areas.
During excavation, the shield machine will encounter strata of mudstone, limestone, sandstone, and granite. Notably, a 240-meter-long karst development zone, a 1,200-meter-long granite layer, and three fault zones will pose additional challenges to the machine's performance.
The Shenshan Railway is a crucial component of the coastal high-speed corridor of the "eight vertical and eight horizontal" high-speed railway network outlined in China's "Medium- and Long-Term Railway Network Plan." It is also a key project in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's rail transit system.
Upon completion, the Shenshan Railway will connect Shenzhen to the Shenshan Cooperation Zone in 30 minutes and Guangzhou within 40 minutes. This will significantly contribute to Shenzhen's growth as a core engine of the Greater Bay Area, enhancing its external railway connections, and facilitating the integration of coastal high-speed railways.
