China Deploys AI to Assist in Railway Bridge Replacement for the First Time

China has successfully deployed AI to assist in replacing a massive railway bridge girder, a first-of-its-kind application on an operational rail line. The new method was used to precisely place a 4,000-ton steel box girder in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, offering a revolutionary solution for modernizing the country's aging railway infrastructure.

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The project is a key part of the new Keqiao Station on the Shaoxing Intercity Railway, which connects to the main Xiaoshan-Ningbo line. This elevated station is a landmark as it's the first of its kind to be built on an active railway. The construction presented significant challenges due to its location on a busy trunk line. The team needed to push the enormous girder 21 meters into place, with only a 10-centimeter clearance on either side-a feat that was nearly impossible with traditional methods.

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To overcome these obstacles, CRCC and several universities developed specialized equipment, including an AI-powered synchronous jacking system. This "intelligent brain" uses digital twin technology to create a 3D model of the site. With 40 high-precision sensors, it collects real-time data to monitor the girder's position with millimeter accuracy. This allows for intelligent calibration and automated control throughout the process, ensuring the girder is stable, precise, fast, and significantly minimizing disruption to train services.

The AI system consists of three main modules: Perception, Simulation, and Control. The Perception module acts as the system's eyes, using advanced technologies like fiber gratings and Beidou satellite navigation to track the girder's movement and prevent any deviation. The Simulation module allows the team to rehearse the entire process in advance, identifying and fixing any potential issues. Finally, the Control module uses smart algorithms to simultaneously manage 36 lifting jacks and 10 pushing jacks, guaranteeing a perfect "seamless fit" of the new structure.

CRCC is pioneering the use of AI as a versatile tool for technological advancement in the construction sector. The company is actively integrating AI with traditional construction methods, using large AI models to improve operations with applications like smart recognition, intelligent jacking, and automated monitoring and warning systems.