Xialaoxi Bridge

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Xialaoxi Bridge
下牢溪大桥
Yichang, Hubei, China
(480) feet high / (146) meters high
525 foot span / 160 meter span
1996

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Constructed in 1996, the Xialaoxi arch bridge is the largest structure on the TGP expressway, a 4-lane highway constructed to assist in the building of the monstrous 3 Gorges Dam. Short for Three Gorges Project, the TGP winds along the north side of the Yangtze River for 16 miles (16 kms) between Yichang and the dam site. Xialaoxi bridge was constructed using the swing method, a style of construction developed by the Chinese where the two halves of the arch are constructed on falsework on the opposite banks of the gorge and then swung out over the canyon - meeting each other in the middle.

The Xialaoxi arch consists of 4 pairs of parallel dumbbell tubes. Each of the tubes is 100 cm in diameter and is 150 cm apart as measured from the center of the tubes. Resting on a 220 cm ball hinge composed of a pair of closely fitted spherical shells, the two halves of the steel arch were rotated horizontally with hydraulic jacks until they could be closed at the crown. The entire ball hinge and foundation area was then entombed in concrete. The process of filling the tubes with concrete could then begin as well as the erection of the deck spans.

The Xialaoxi Bridge crosses a tributary of the Yangtze that is actually part of a reservoir created by the construction of the Gezhou Dam near Yichang. The structure is 8,514 feet (2,595 meters) long and was the first major dam constructed across the Yangtze River. The Xialaoxi bridge is 420 feet (128 meters) above the water in the photos below with another 60 feet (18 meters) to the old river level.

The Xialaoxi gorge is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the entire region below the 3 Gorges dam. There are cliffside caves, suspended walkways and two catenary suspension bridges to cross portions of the river and the shoreline. Paddle boats can be rented for a leisurely trip up the river while thrill seekers can jump from a 200 foot (60 mtr) high bungee platform hanging over the river.


1996年建成,下牢溪拱桥是TGP公路上最大的桥梁,这是一条用于建设三峡大坝的辅助性的双向四车道的专用公路。三峡工程的英文缩写TGP,这条公路在长江北岸的宜昌市与三峡大坝之间的山区中蜿蜒前行。下牢溪大桥采用的是中国人创造的转体施工方法,拱圈的两个半片都在河谷两岸的支架场地上与之,然后绕着一个巨大的球铰旋转至峡谷中央合拢。

下牢溪拱桥有四对平行的哑铃型钢管。每根钢管直径都有100cm,彼此钢管中心线间距为150cm。支撑在一个220cm的有着了一对紧密吻合的半球面的球铰之上,两个半拱圈在液压千斤顶的驱动下水平旋转,直到在拱顶位置合拢。在拱上桥面系施工的同时,钢管中浇注混凝土的工作也开始了。

下牢溪是游览整个三峡大坝下游的最美的去处之一。在岩壁上有岩洞、栈道以及两个悬链线形式的悬索跨过河流、联系着两岸。可以租上一条小船在河流上划桨休闲,探险刺激的爱好者也可以在河上60米高的蹦极平台上一跃而下。

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Xialaoxi Gorge map showing the zip lines, bridges and bungee tower along with the cliff walks and other attractions.


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Xialaoxi Bridge satellite image.


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Xialaoxi Bridge satellite image.


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Xialaoxi Bridge location map.