Recently, after 70 hours of continuous pouring, the main pier cap of Pier No. 20 on the Fuchimen Road-Rail Dual-Use Bridge of the Ningbo-Zhoushan Railway—supported by China West Construction Group New Material Technology Co., Ltd. with high-performance admixtures and technical expertise—was successfully completed with a total of 4,300 m³ of mass concrete. With the cap emerging above water, the project now marks the full transition of the cross-sea main bridge towers into the overwater construction phase.

Project Challenges: Building in Deep Sea Waters under Harsh Conditions

The Fuchimen Road-Rail Dual-Use Bridge spans approximately 1,725.85m with a main span of 388m. It is a long-span cable-stayed bridge with high and low pylons sharing a single deck for both rail and road traffic. Located in a marine area with water depths reaching 55 meters, the bridge site is subject to high winds, strong waves, rapid currents, and frequently shifting tidal flows. Pier No. 20 serves as a critical control structure in the entire bridge system. Its massive foundation and complex construction environment impose exceptionally stringent technical and performance demands on the concrete used.

CSCEC Solution: Technological Empowerment to Tackle Complexities

Leveraging its extensive R&D expertise and engineering experience in concrete admixtures, China West Construction Group New Material Technology Co., Ltd. delivered a customized, comprehensive solution to ensure the success of the massive concrete pour.

Precise Temperature Control and Crack Resistance:

To address the temperature gradient and cracking risk caused by the heat of hydration in mass concrete, China West Construction Group New Material Technology Co., Ltd. adopted a high-performance polycarboxylate-based water-reducing admixture system. By optimizing molecular structure and compound formulation, the solution effectively reduced the water-to-binder ratio and overall cement content, thereby lowering the total heat of hydration. The system also incorporated efficient retarders and shrinkage-reducing agents to control the timing and rate of peak temperature, enhancing volume stability and significantly reducing the risk of shrinkage cracking.

Extended Workability for Continuous Pouring:

Ensuring 70 hours of uninterrupted pouring under challenging marine conditions required outstanding workability retention. The admixtures provided by China West Construction Group New Material Technology Co., Ltd. demonstrated excellent slump retention performance with sustained fluidity and workability, even under high temperatures and extended waiting periods. This ensured continuous pumping and pouring without construction joints or cold seams.

Full-Process Technical Support:

The East China Marketing Division of China West Construction Group New Material Technology Co., Ltd. delivered end-to-end services from mix design and production to on-site technical support. Team members were stationed throughout the process to dynamically adjust application parameters based on real-time conditions, ensuring that concrete performance met all specifications. Their professional capabilities and service quality received high praise from all parties involved in the project.