China Debuts World’s First Boring-Blasting Machine in Wuhan
China’s first boring and blasting machine (BBM), named “Xianglong,” rolled off the production line on August 1 at the China Railway Science and Industry Group’s Jiangxia Manufacturing Base in Wuhan, Hubei Province, according to People’s Daily Online. The 400-ton machine, jointly developed by Tsinghua University and China Railway Science and Industry Group, represents a significant advancement in China’s heavy machinery manufacturing capabilities.
A Breakthrough in Tunnel Construction Technology
The “Xianglong” BBM is described as the world’s first of its kind, combining two previously incompatible mainstream construction methods: tunnel boring machines (TBM) and the drill-and-blast technique. This hybrid approach fills a critical gap in integrated construction equipment for complex geological tunnels.
Traditional TBMs frequently get stuck when encountering challenging geological conditions such as rock bursts, fracture zones, and large deformation of soft rock. Meanwhile, conventional drill-and-blast methods, while more flexible, face significant safety management pressures and limited construction efficiency. As Xinhua reported, the two mainstream methods each have their strengths but have been difficult to combine, constraining high-quality development of the industry.
Innovative Design and Specifications
The machine measures 70 meters in length with an excavation diameter of 4.55 meters and a center cutter head diameter of 1.2 meters. Its most distinctive feature is an innovative hollow cutter head structure that allows the hollow cutter head and center cutter head to work in coordination.
According to China Economic Net, the machine can flexibly switch between multiple operation modes including “front blasting + rear boring,” “front boring + rear blasting,” and “full-face boring.” This versatility integrates the dual advantages of advance drill-and-blast pre-treatment and mechanized continuous excavation.
The BBM is equipped with several original technologies that enhance its capability in complex tunnel construction. These include an advance treatment module that can perform grouting reinforcement, advance pre-splitting, and emergency support operations ahead of the tunnel face, as well as a rock pillar crushing device that processes excavated rock into standardized construction aggregate on-site, enabling resource recycling of tunnel spoil.
Expert Perspectives
Qin Pengxiang, a distinguished researcher at Tsinghua University’s State Key Laboratory of Hydrosphere Science and Water Conservancy Engineering, told China Economic Net that the deployment of the boring and blasting machine will solve the “bottleneck” problems that have long plagued China’s major engineering construction.
“Tests show that the boring and blasting machine can improve boring efficiency by 30% in ultra-hard rock geological conditions after advance pre-splitting treatment,” Qin said.
Wang Chenghai, project leader of the boring and blasting machine at China Railway Science and Industry Group, noted that the entire machine and core components have achieved full independent controllability. The machine will be deployed in a key engineering project in the near future, with plans to serve national major water conservancy and hydropower projects, transportation trunk lines, and deep earth resource development.
A Milestone in China’s Heavy Machinery Industry
The development of the BBM represents another milestone in China’s remarkable transformation of its tunnel boring machine industry. As detailed in a CCTV Finance report, China has progressed from relying on imported machines to becoming the world’s largest producer, with 7 out of every 10 shield machines worldwide now coming from China.
China has overcome several “bottleneck” challenges in recent years, including main bearings previously monopolized by foreign companies, reducers and gearboxes, electric motors, and cutting tools. The country’s leading manufacturer has produced over 1,700 shield machines and exported to 32 countries and regions, including traditional manufacturing powerhouses like Germany and France.
Strategic Significance and Future Applications
According to Workers’ Daily, the machine breaks away from traditional design paths of similar equipment, with the entire machine and core components achieving independent controllability. The BBM fills a gap in integrated construction equipment for complex geological tunnels.
The machine will first be deployed in a pumped storage hydropower station project for engineering demonstration application. China Daily reported that the equipment will subsequently serve national major water conservancy and hydropower projects, transportation trunk lines, and deep earth resource development.
The development aligns with China’s strategy of building a modern infrastructure system and advancing high-level technological self-reliance. As China continues to invest heavily in infrastructure, including its ambitious transportation and energy networks, the ability to efficiently construct tunnels through complex geological conditions will be increasingly critical.
What to Watch
The “Xianglong” BBM’s upcoming deployment in a pumped storage hydropower project will provide real-world validation of its capabilities. Industry observers will be watching whether the machine’s performance in actual field conditions matches its promising test results, and whether the technology can be scaled for broader application across China’s major infrastructure initiatives.