Bang: big bridge blocking boulder broken by blasting

Following a recent earthquake in China, the roads and highways had to be cleared quickly to allow emergency deliveries, as well as general transport. One key bridge was blocked by a massive boulder that had been dislodged by the quake. As the boulder was too large to move using the excavators or bulldozers that the bridge could support, a decision was made to use blasting instead to clear the path. A drilling rig was brought into place and this machine bored a blasthole into the errant boulder, with the hol
April 24, 2013 Read time: 1 min
Following a recent earthquake in China, the roads and highways had to be cleared quickly to allow emergency deliveries, as well as general transport. One key bridge was blocked by a massive boulder that had been dislodged by the quake. As the boulder was too large to move using the excavators or bulldozers that the bridge could support, a decision was made to use blasting instead to clear the path. A drilling rig was brought into place and this machine bored a blasthole into the errant boulder, with the hole then being charged with conventional explosives. The blast then broke the boulder into pieces small enough for lighter machinery to move out of the way, allowing the bridge to be reopened to traffic.

Related Content

  • MAT Mischanlagentechnik debuts BE-2550 technology in Switzerland
    April 12, 2018
    The Bauer subsidiary MAT Mischanlagentechnik, known for microtunneling technology, has entered the large-diameter tunnelling market with its BE-2550 separating plant in Switzerland. The double-track Eppenberg tunnel in the Swiss canton of Solothurn is about 2.6 km long and is one of the busiest railway routes in Switzerland. Since November 2016, a 2,400tonne tunnel boring machine measuring around 115m long and 12.75m in diameter has been drilling through the mountain. The machine has been operating in the
    Read More
  • Nepal highway subsidence problem causing traffic disturbance
    March 11, 2017
    Subsidence on a key stretch of highway in Nepal is causing major traffic disturbance. The BP Highway, also known as the Banepa- Sindhuli- Bardibas Road, has suffered subsidence on the Nepalthok-Khurkot stretch. The collapsed section measures 27m long and is causing delays for drivers. This Highway is an important route as it connets Nepal’s capital Kathmandu with Eastern Terai. Vehicles have been diverted to an alternative route, although part of the roadway is still being used to carry traffic in one d
    Read More
  • CTT show report from Moscow exhibition
    September 22, 2017
    Moscow’s CTT exhibition reflected increasing confidence in the Russian construction market - Eugene Gerden reports. The Russian road building industry is steadily recovering from the consequences of the financial crisis and the overall financial uncertainty in in the country. One of the most evident facts for this was the record number of exhibitors at the recent CTT Expo for construction machines held in Moscow.
    Read More
  • India’s longest tolled expressway is open to traffic
    January 2, 2013
    Earlier this year, a new expressway was opened to traffic in India, adding connectivity to the country’s road network - Mike Woof reports. India’s economic growth has fuelled a massive construction boom in the country. Road building has been set as a priority by the Indian Government to help ensure continued economic development and improve connectivity between major population centres. One major new expressway has recently opened to traffic, having been designed to international standards and provides insi
    Read More

Highlighted Content