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

  • Low temperature asphalt and aggregate options’
    February 7, 2014
    At what point does ‘some technology’ become ‘enough technology’? Less than four years ago industry publications were filled with a persistent message, the reluctance of UK based contractors to adopt machine control to the same extent as near European neighbours, particularly close ones such as Ireland and Holland. However from 2009 onwards we have seen a huge shift in demand for machine control as the success of high profile road and rail jobs such as the M25 widening scheme and Airdrie – Bathgate rail
    Read More
  • London’s transportation network requires revolutionary approach to build capacity
    November 13, 2015
    London requires a radical new strategy to delivering the transportation development the city will need to cope with its fast growing population. Martin Tugwell, Transport Programme Director for England’s Economic Heartland Strategic Alliance said, “A road network fit for the world’s fifth largest economy cannot be planned from London: it is time for a revolution in approach, one that is focused on meeting our needs.”
    Read More
  • Dressta seek greater dealership reach in key emerging markets to boost sales
    October 10, 2013
    Dressta, the LiuGong subsidiary, is striving to increase its dealership reach in key emerging markets such as Central and South America as it aims for higher machine sales. Speaking at a recent Dressta construction machine manufacturing press event at the company’s LiuGong-owned manufacturing plant and headquarters in Stalowa Wola, southern Poland, Dressta CEO Leslaw Holysz said, “We have no [dealership] presence in Mexico and Latin America, except for Panama. Panama is a very good country for us and we
    Read More
  • Global pressures driving bitumen developments
    June 19, 2015
    A raft of global pressures is driving developments in the materials and equipment we use for the handling, storage and treatment of bitumen. The goal is to achieve better performance and longer life for less financial outlay, and at the same time overcome the challenges of inconsistent and varying bitumen supplies. Kristina Smith reports.
    Read More

Highlighted Content