In a significant advancement for marine engineering, China has developed the world's most powerful hydraulic cylinder, specifically designed for marine pile driving. This impressive cylinder boasts a maximum thrust of 5,000 tonnes, which is equivalent to the weight of 1,000 adult African elephants. Measuring 28 metres in length and nearly 2 metres in diameter, it was produced by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) in Changzhou, Jiangsu province. This innovation is intended for use on a 150-metre pile-driving vessel currently under construction, which is slated to support the Hangzhou Bay Cross-Sea Railway Bridge, the world's longest cross-sea high-speed railway bridge, expected to be operational by the end of 2024. Prior to this development, China relied heavily on imports for critical hydraulic components, highlighting a shift towards greater self-reliance in technology. An innovation consortium for marine engineering was established in July 2024, bringing together top talent from CCCC, various state-owned enterprises, and prestigious universities such as Tsinghua University to further enhance China's capabilities in this field. [3fa0918f]
In parallel, the ongoing construction of the Bang Pakong-south Bangkok power plant gas transmission pipeline project in Thailand has also achieved a significant breakthrough. The first section of the initial phase of pipeline laying, covering approximately 1km, has been successfully completed using a laying and jacking machine with a diameter of 914mm. This machine, manufactured by CRCHI (China Railway Construction Heavy Industry), is designed for constructing large slope V-shaped longitudinal curves, overcoming engineering challenges such as accurate long-distance curve guidance and rapid propulsion. It achieved a stable excavation speed of 600mm per minute and recorded a maximum footage of 48m in just two hours, successfully navigating through the pile foundations of two power towers with precision. This marks a technological breakthrough in the construction of ultra-small diameter, ultra-long distance, and ultra-high precision curves. [3fab5e57]