Beneath bustling cities and sprawling landscapes, a quiet revolution is reshaping global infrastructure – and it’s powered by colossal tunnel boring machines (TBMs) crafted through pioneering Chinese engineering. Dubbed ‘underground transformers,’ these technological titans can stretch longer than football fields and crush rock with pressures exceeding 35,000 tons.
China’s TBMs now dominate 70% of the global market, accelerating subway expansions in over 30 countries. Recent breakthroughs include AI-guided models that map geological risks in real-time and modular designs enabling 40% faster assembly. ‘They’re not just digging tunnels – they’re building smart underground ecosystems,’ says Li Wei, a Beijing-based infrastructure analyst.
From the 16-meter-diameter monster excavating Shanghai’s Metro Line 19 to the record-breaking machinery deployed in the Bohai Strait cross-sea project, these innovations reflect China’s shift toward sustainable urbanization. Unlike traditional methods, modern TBMs recycle 90% of excavated material for construction use, reducing waste and emissions.
The global impact? Southeast Asian nations are adopting Chinese TBM tech for high-speed rail tunnels, while European contractors collaborate on geothermal energy projects. As cities worldwide combat traffic and climate challenges, these underground transformers are proving indispensable.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
