Project: Padma Bridge
Padma Bridge Project – Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s most ambitious infrastructure project, the Padma Bridge showcases HiTens precision tools in the construction of a record-breaking dual-level bridge.
Project Overview
The Padma Bridge is the longest and most complex bridge ever built in Bangladesh, spanning the mighty Padma River. It connects the country’s eastern and western regions through a dual-level system consisting of a four-lane highway on the upper deck and a single-track railway below. As part of the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway Network, the project represents a milestone in Bangladesh’s national development strategy.
Construction began in 2014, with the main bridge measuring 6.15 kilometers and approach roads extending over 12 kilometers on both sides. The project also includes 14 kilometers of river training works designed to control the volatile flow of the Padma River. Upon completion, it drastically reduced travel time between Dhaka and 21 southwestern districts—from more than eight hours by ferry to less than ten minutes by road.
Project Overview
The Padma Bridge is the longest and most complex bridge ever built in Bangladesh, spanning the mighty Padma River. It connects the country’s eastern and western regions through a dual-level system consisting of a four-lane highway on the upper deck and a single-track railway below. As part of the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway Network, the project represents a milestone in Bangladesh’s national development strategy.
Construction began in 2014, with the main bridge measuring 6.15 kilometers and approach roads extending over 12 kilometers on both sides. The project also includes 14 kilometers of river training works designed to control the volatile flow of the Padma River. Upon completion, it drastically reduced travel time between Dhaka and 21 southwestern districts—from more than eight hours by ferry to less than ten minutes by road.
Engineering and Design Features
The Padma Bridge’s structure was engineered to overcome some of the most challenging geological and environmental conditions in the world. The site experiences intense monsoon floods, riverbed scouring, and high seismic activity. To meet these challenges, engineers designed a robust composite structure capable of resisting both natural and dynamic forces.
Key design highlights include:
Total length: 6.15 km main bridge + 12.117 km approach roads
Foundation: 122 m-long steel piles, among the deepest bridge foundations worldwide
Main spans: 150 m-long prefabricated steel truss segments
Deck type: Dual-level composite truss for road (upper) and rail (lower) traffic
Additional systems: Gas pipeline, fiber optic cables, and telecommunication ducts integrated into the structure
Each 3,000-ton truss segment was assembled off-site and transported via river barges for installation. Advanced pile-driving techniques were used to anchor 3-meter-diameter tubular steel piles deep into the silty riverbed, ensuring resistance to monsoon-induced erosion.
Construction Challenges
Building over the Padma River was an extraordinary feat of engineering. The river’s unpredictable behavior, shifting channels, and soft alluvial soil made foundation works extremely demanding. Seasonal monsoons frequently caused water level fluctuations of several meters, complicating both pile installation and structure alignment.
Additionally, Bangladesh lies in a seismic zone, so the bridge required a design capable of absorbing earthquake-induced stress. Engineers adopted friction pendulum bearings between the substructure and superstructure to reduce seismic impact and accommodate thermal expansion.
Another critical challenge was logistics: transporting large steel truss segments through monsoon-fed riverways required precise timing, stability control, and rapid assembly to avoid disruption.
HiTens’ Role in the Project
HiTens supplied precision shear and torque-controlled wrenches essential to the structural assembly of the Padma Bridge. Given the bridge’s massive scale and dual-level configuration, consistent and reliable bolt fastening was a core requirement to ensure both safety and long-term performance.
High-Strength Bolting for Truss Assembly
Each of the 41 truss segments required thousands of TC bolts to connect the steel members forming the dual-deck framework. HiTens shear wrenches were used extensively to guarantee uniform torque and correct shear-off at precise tension thresholds. This eliminated variation in joint strength and ensured consistent structural rigidity across the entire 6 km span.
Torque-Control for Bearing and Support Systems
In areas where friction pendulum bearings and expansion joints connected the steel and concrete structures, HiTens electric torque wrenches were used to achieve exact preload torque. Properly torqued joints minimized vibration transfer and enhanced seismic resilience—critical for a project built in a flood-prone, high-seismic environment.
Durability in Harsh Conditions
Working conditions on-site were often humid, hot, and exposed to salt-laden river air. HiTens tools were selected for their robust sealing, corrosion resistance, and stable torque output under variable power supply conditions. The reliability of HiTens wrenches helped maintain uninterrupted assembly schedules, even during peak monsoon months.
On-Site Calibration and Quality Control
HiTens also provided torque calibration support through portable calibrators and training sessions for local technicians. Each wrench was tested before and after use to verify torque accuracy within ±3%. This ensured every joint met the design’s stringent safety requirements.
Performance and Results
The precise fastening achieved with HiTens tools directly contributed to the structural integrity of the Padma Bridge. Engineers reported exceptionally low deviation rates in bolt tension, allowing for seamless alignment of truss segments and rapid installation cycles.
Following completion, the bridge underwent extensive dynamic load testing, including simulation of both railway and highway traffic. Results confirmed that the bolted joints maintained consistent tension levels even under simultaneous vibration and temperature shifts—demonstrating the long-term reliability of HiTens fastening systems.
The success of the Padma Bridge project reinforced HiTens’ reputation as a dependable partner for large-scale infrastructure, capable of meeting international standards for precision and performance.
Impact and Significance
The Padma Bridge has transformed transportation across Bangladesh. It connects Dhaka directly with the southwestern region, drastically reducing travel and freight costs while enhancing national logistics efficiency. The bridge is estimated to contribute 1.3% to Bangladesh’s annual GDP growth, boosting regional trade, agriculture, and tourism.
As a core segment of the Bangladesh–China–India–Myanmar Economic Corridor, the bridge strengthens transnational connectivity and supports long-term economic integration across South and Southeast Asia.
For the people of Bangladesh, the Padma Bridge symbolizes progress, resilience, and national pride. It represents not only a triumph of engineering but also the determination of a nation to overcome natural and technical obstacles.
HiTens Contribution Summary
HiTens is proud to have participated in one of South Asia’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. From the high-strength bolting of the truss deck to the torque-controlled assembly of the cable anchorages and bearings, HiTens tools ensured safety, precision, and durability.
Our shear and torque wrenches continue to support engineers worldwide in delivering projects that demand uncompromising accuracy—bridging not only rivers, but also the gap between reliability and innovation.
Learn more from our FAQ
Learn how HiTens supports construction and industrial projects worldwide with reliable shear and torque wrenches, precision calibration, and professional support.
What industries does HiTens serve?
HiTens supply all kinds shear wrench, electric torque controlled wrench, from M12 to M36, from metric to inch standard, and solution for construction bolt installation.
What makes HiTens wrenches reliable?
Every HiTens wrench is engineered for precision, strength, and durability. They are designed to ensure consistent torque stability and ease of operation, even in the most demanding environments.
Does HiTens offer customized wrench solutions?
Yes. We can design and manufacture custom shear wrenches and torque wrenches tailored to your specific project requirements and standards.
How does HiTens ensure product quality?
Our wrenches are manufactured under strict quality control protocols that meet both national and industry standards. We are also fully certified under the GJB9001B-2009 Quality Management System.
What kind of after-sales support does HiTens provide?
We offer comprehensive technical support—from product selection and calibration to on-site troubleshooting—helping our customers minimize downtime and maximize efficiency.