In recent years, the Group's construction division has actively introduced new technology to advance construction safety, quality and efficiency, and to reduce its environmental impact. Following the use of the innovative Bridge Launching Technique by Rotation in The YOHO Hub in Yuen Long, which is still under construction, the construction division applied the same technique to build a footbridge across the light rail tracks to link The YOHO Hub to Yuen Long Station on the Tuen Ma Line within only four days in August this year. SHKP becomes the first property developer to adopt the Bridge Launching Technique by Rotation in Hong Kong. In recent months, the same launching technology was used to build a larger-scale Pedestrian and Vehicular Bridge. SHKPNews took the opportunity to invite the construction division to explain this innovative launching technology to our colleagues.

Q: How does the Bridge Launching Technique by Rotation work?

A: First, we set up a construction turntable and rotation system on site, connecting the completed bridge structure to the system. The bridge structure was then rotated 180 degree horizontally to the designated location within a short time and was fixed using vertical strand cables. Next the bridge was lowered slowly until it was firmly fixed to the pre-assembled permanent end bearing. It works the same way as a magnified hanging market scale, except that one side of the scale is the bridge structure while the other side is a counterweight of steel billets, weighing over 1,200 tonnes.

Q: The principle sounds quite simple…

A: It is not as simple as it seems, and it requires a lot of preparation. Over 300 experienced colleagues, specialist consultants and subcontractor representatives were brought together to work out the construction details. Overseas bridge launching experts and independent mechanical and lifting consultants were also invited to review and provide advice on the launching scheme. In addition, the team produced a construction animation using Building Information Modelling (BIM) at an early stage for briefings to the related government departments and MTR Corporation (MTRC) to provide a comprehensive picture of the entire launching mechanism, safety measures, construction procedure, etc. The Bridge Launching Technique by Rotation is about 2.5 times more expensive than the conventional technique. But owing to its many benefits, such as 60% less construction time, and a much lower impact on local traffic and nearby residents, SHKP was still willing to invest in this new technology.

Q: Did the team encounter any difficulties, and if so, how did they overcome them?

A: The greatest difficulty was the limited time and space available for construction. Since the bridge crossed the light rail tracks, we had to apply for an electric isolation permit from the railway safety division of MTRC for project construction. Only about two hours of track possession was granted in the early morning for construction to avoid traffic disruption, so the time available for bridge launching construction was extremely tight. Furthermore, as the video shows, the construction site was sandwiched between Yuen Long Station on the Tuen Ma Line, the public transport interchange, the Yuen Long Light Rail Terminus, and the podium of the Sun Yuen Long Centre, which is next to the railway viaduct on the Tuen Ma Line and right above the light rail tracks, which are connected to high-voltage cables. Since the space available for construction was very limited, it was a severe constraint for construction and multiplied the difficulties. Therefore, we applied BIM at the preliminary design stage to simulate and deal with all possible situations in advance and ensure that construction was carried out as safely and effectively as possible.

Q: Since the bridge launching was located right above the railway tracks, were the safety requirements higher than usual?

A: Definitely! To ensure safety, the Safe Working Load (SWL) of the system design was doubled for the lifting cables, and a maximum 80% of SWL was applied in the actual operation. In addition, the entire rotating system was designed to theoretically withstand adverse weather of up to Hurricane Signal No. 10. In early October, two Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals No. 8 were hoisted, triggered by the Lionrock and Kompasu cyclones. The whole system safely withstood the adverse weather, as designed. 

Q: Was this new technology invented by SHKP?

A: Although similar technologies have been used overseas and on the mainland, SHKP is probably the first property developer to adopt the Bridge Launching Technique by Rotation in Hong Kong. Since this construction technology has won the attention and affirmation of the worldwide construction industry, we have received plenty of inquiries about intent to purchase the related technology and equipment!