Skip to main content

Wirtgen machines at Beijing’s new airport

Slipform pavers from Wirtgen have played important roles for the Beijing New International Airport project. The four Wirtgen slipform pavers have been used for the construction of the apron area for the new Chinese airport.
June 10, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
Designed for over one flight movement per minute: the traffic areas need to withstand high loads

The airport is scheduled to start operations on September 30th, 2019 and when it is complete, Beijing New International Airport will become be the world's largest airport. The huge new facility will play a key transport role as Beijing is a major air passenger hub for Asia. The new airport is located 67km from China’s capital city, along the border to Hebei province. It will relieve pressure on the existing airport northeast of Beijing, currently the world’s second-largest in terms of passenger volume. The new airport is expected to handle 45 million passengers at first but will have a total capacity of 100 million.

W_photo_SP500_01227_PR.jpg
A fleet of Wirtgen slipform pavers has been used at Beijing New International Airport in Daxing to construct the apron area, with a parking capacity of 268 aircraft

Low temperatures of around 0°C during the cold winters in Beijing were one of the challenges the Beijing Sino-Aero Construction Engineering Co, team faced during the construction period of the large apron area. A total of four 2395 Wirtgen SP 500 slipform pavers were used for paving single-layer concrete slabs 5m wide and 420mm thick over fixed forms. Levelling and steering parameters were communicated to the Wirtgen machine control system using string-line sensors. To withstand the high aircraft loads, the concrete slabs have been reinforced by means of steel dowels. High productivity and machine availability meant that the strict daily production targets were achieved, allowing the tight timeline to be met.

Cost factors are important for large projects and when choosing an equipment fleet, a contractor has to consider several factors. Minimising manpower was one of the main criteria considered by Sino-Aero Construction Engineering. The firm concluded that the Wirtgen slipform pavers would meet the demands of the automated concrete paving work to be carried out.

The paving work was carried out within the necessary parameters, as scheduled. The paving mold slipformed the concrete, exceeding the required specifications. Electrical vibrators were used to provide the high-frequency vibrations needed for optimum compaction of the concrete during the slipforming work. And the oscillating beam and super-smoother then provided the required finish for the new pavement.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Metso Outotec begins its operations
    July 1, 2020
    Metso Outotec, a new company with leadership in sustainable minerals and metals processing and recycling technologies, begins operations today.
  • Light but strong, the Tetrashor prop
    June 30, 2020
    RMD Kwikform, the global manufacturer of formwork, falsework and ground shoring solutions, has launched Tetrashor, a lightweight modular propping system. It can be used in dead shoring, façade retention, propping and needling, supporting precast concrete bridge beams and structural steelwork frames and restraining tall single and double-sided formwork.
  • Wirtgen exhibiting diverse machine range at bauma China
    November 12, 2014
    The Wirtgen Group is exhibiting a wide range of its latest machines for the local market at bauma China 2014 in Shanghai. The firm is showing 11 innovations and no fewer than 13 products manufactured locally at the Langfang factory for the Chinese market, from its Road and Mineral Technologies divisions. There are 38 exhibits in total from the Wirtgen Group’s Wirtgen, Vögele, Hamm and Kleemann brands that are tailored to meet Chinese requirements. The Wirtgen brand is exhibiting its powerful WR 250 reclaim
  • Wirtgen exhibiting diverse machine range at bauma China
    January 6, 2017
    The Wirtgen Group is exhibiting a wide range of its latest machines for the local market at bauma China 2014 in Shanghai. The firm is showing 11 innovations and no fewer than 13 products manufactured locally at the Langfang factory for the Chinese market, from its Road and Mineral Technologies divisions. There are 38 exhibits in total from the Wirtgen Group’s Wirtgen, Vögele, Hamm and Kleemann brands that are tailored to meet Chinese requirements. The Wirtgen brand is exhibiting its powerful WR 250 reclaim