In the heart of China’s rapidly urbanizing cities, a construction revolution is underway, spearheaded by a team led by Wei Wang from Shanghai Urban Construction Municipal Engineering (Group) Co., Ltd. Their innovative ground-free lightweight formwork support system is transforming the way high-pier, large-span prestressed bent caps are constructed, addressing long-standing challenges that have plagued conventional methods.
Traditional ground-supported formwork systems, while reliable, have become increasingly impractical in modern urban environments. Their large footprint and high material consumption lead to low efficiency, and their bulky support structures disrupt surrounding traffic, causing significant delays and economic losses. “In space-constrained urban centers, these conventional systems simply fail to meet the demands of modern bridge construction,” says Wang.
The solution? A lightweight, ground-free formwork support system that employs novel materials and structural forms. At the heart of this innovation is the use of acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA) polymer-reinforced alloy formwork and ground-free steel supports. These materials and designs enable a modular, green construction approach that significantly reduces carbon emissions and improves material reusability.
The system has already been successfully implemented in several high-profile projects, including Wenzhou Wenrui Avenue, Hangzhou Shidai Avenue, and Ningbo Jiulong Avenue. These real-world applications have demonstrated the system’s advantages in construction efficiency, cost control, resource conservation, and environmental impact.
The commercial implications for the energy sector are substantial. As cities continue to expand and infrastructure demands grow, the need for efficient, sustainable construction methods will only increase. This innovative system not only meets these needs but also sets a new standard for the industry. “We believe this system has significant potential for broader application,” Wang notes, highlighting its potential to shape future developments in the field.
The research was published in the journal ‘预应力技术’, which translates to ‘Prestressed Technology’, underscoring its relevance to the construction and engineering communities. As urbanization continues to accelerate, innovations like this will be crucial in shaping the future of our cities and the energy sector that powers them.