Project: Aizhai Bridge
Aizhai Bridge Project – Hunan, China
Spanning the Dehang Canyon, the Aizhai Bridge stands as one of China’s most challenging engineering feats, showcasing the effective application of HiTens shear wrenches and torque wrenches.
Project Overview
The Aizhai Bridge, located in Hunan Province, China, stands as one of the world’s most remarkable suspension bridges. Stretching across the breathtaking Dehang Canyon, the bridge connects Jishou City and Chadong Town as part of the Baotou–Maoming Expressway (National Expressway G65). It serves as a key link in the region’s highway network and a landmark achievement in China’s modern bridge engineering.
Construction began in October 2007 and was completed by the end of 2011. The bridge officially opened to traffic in March 2012. With a total length of 1,769 meters and a main span of 1,414 meters, the Aizhai Bridge carries a four-lane highway with a design speed of 80 km/h. It was, at the time of completion, one of the highest and longest-span suspension bridges in the world.
Project Overview
The Aizhai Bridge, located in Hunan Province, China, stands as one of the world’s most remarkable suspension bridges. Stretching across the breathtaking Dehang Canyon, the bridge connects Jishou City and Chadong Town as part of the Baotou–Maoming Expressway (National Expressway G65). It serves as a key link in the region’s highway network and a landmark achievement in China’s modern bridge engineering.
Construction began in October 2007 and was completed by the end of 2011. The bridge officially opened to traffic in March 2012. With a total length of 1,769 meters and a main span of 1,414 meters, the Aizhai Bridge carries a four-lane highway with a design speed of 80 km/h. It was, at the time of completion, one of the highest and longest-span suspension bridges in the world.
Engineering Significance
The Aizhai Bridge was built to overcome some of the most complex geological and topographical challenges ever faced in Chinese infrastructure construction. The bridge is suspended 330 meters above the canyon floor, connecting two steep mountain tunnels directly on both ends. This design minimized environmental disruption while maximizing structural efficiency.
Its dual-tower suspension system, lightweight steel truss deck, and wind-resistant design allow the bridge to withstand extreme weather conditions common in western Hunan. Beyond its technical innovation, the bridge’s aesthetic design features — such as the bull-head patterns atop the towers, symbolizing strength and unity — reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Tujia ethnic region.
Structural Features
The bridge adopts a double-tower, single-span steel truss suspension structure with the towers built directly on the rocky slopes of both sides of the canyon. The steel truss girder is connected to the tunnels at both ends, creating a unique integration between bridge and mountain.
Main Span: 1,414 meters
Deck Width: 24.5 meters (four traffic lanes)
Clearance Above Canyon: 330 meters
Towers: Reinforced concrete, H-shaped frames anchored in the mountain rock
Main Cable: Prefabricated parallel wire strands made of galvanized steel, each strand featuring a hexagonal cross-section
Deck Type: Orthotropic steel deck with U-rib stiffeners and epoxy asphalt surfacing
Every part of the design—from cable anchorage to wind resistance—was optimized for safety, longevity, and performance in a highly demanding mountain environment.
Construction Challenges
The project’s location in the deep Dehang Canyon presented logistical and technical obstacles rarely encountered in bridge engineering. Steep slopes, variable wind speeds, and limited working space required innovative construction solutions. The entire assembly process was performed using cable cranes and high-precision suspension equipment positioned more than 300 meters above the ground.
The main truss segments were prefabricated off-site and hoisted into position using high-capacity lifting systems. To ensure alignment accuracy within millimeter tolerances, the installation required continuous torque monitoring and calibration. Given the limited access for heavy machinery, most fastening work was conducted manually using specialized shear and torque-controlled wrenches.
HiTens’ Role in the Project
HiTens played a key role in ensuring the strength, precision, and reliability of the Aizhai Bridge’s fastening systems. During the construction of the steel truss deck, suspension cable anchors, and wind bracing components, HiTens shear wrenches and torque wrenches were extensively applied to assemble high-strength TC bolts and structural connections.
Precision Bolting for Structural Trusses
The bridge’s steel truss structure required thousands of high-strength bolts, each needing precise shear-off torque control. HiTens shear wrenches were used for the TC bolts across the main span, ensuring every connection achieved uniform tension. This provided consistent clamping force, essential for maintaining rigidity and vibration resistance under wind and traffic load.
Safety and Efficiency in High-Altitude Assembly
Working 300 meters above the canyon demanded tools that combined power, reliability, and ease of handling. HiTens’ electric shear wrenches were selected for their stable torque output and compact design, minimizing operator fatigue and reducing assembly time. The wrenches’ automatic shear-off function eliminated over-tightening risk and guaranteed consistent installation quality.
Cable Anchorage and Suspension Systems
For the main cable anchorage housings and saddle connections, HiTens torque-controlled wrenches ensured exact preload torque in all critical joints. This was vital to prevent long-term loosening under dynamic loads caused by wind oscillation and temperature variation.
Calibration and Quality Assurance
Before installation, all HiTens wrenches were calibrated using in-house digital torque calibrators, ensuring accuracy within ±3%. The on-site maintenance and calibration support provided by HiTens technicians helped construction teams maintain consistent performance across multiple elevation points, despite varying environmental conditions.
Performance and Results
The application of HiTens tools directly contributed to the bridge’s successful completion ahead of schedule and with impeccable quality control. Engineers noted that the precision fastening achieved through HiTens shear wrenches reduced inspection rework rates by over 30%. The bridge’s bolt joints have since shown excellent long-term performance, with no recorded cases of loosening or failure even under frequent heavy traffic and strong wind conditions.
Today, the Aizhai Bridge remains one of the most stable large-span suspension bridges in China, with structural monitoring confirming minimal vibration amplitude and steady stress distribution across key bolted joints.
Environmental and Cultural Integration
Beyond engineering excellence, the Aizhai Bridge is admired for how harmoniously it integrates with the surrounding landscape. Its anchor tunnels and concrete towers were designed to follow the natural contours of the canyon, reducing visual intrusion. The design also embodies local cultural symbols—such as the “bull horn” tower shape, representing strength, peace, and resilience of the Tujia people.
HiTens’ involvement in this project went beyond supplying tools; it was a contribution to a national symbol of engineering pride and cultural heritage.
Legacy
Since its opening in 2012, the Aizhai Bridge has become both an essential transport link and a world-famous tourist attraction. It has received international acclaim for its design innovation and construction safety, winning several engineering excellence awards. The bridge showcases how advanced fastening technology—like HiTens’ high-precision wrench systems—supports landmark infrastructure that combines beauty, strength, and longevity.
The project also demonstrated China’s growing capacity for independent large-scale infrastructure innovation, with HiTens standing as a reliable partner in achieving that progress.
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.