The Journal of Technology Studies 18 why thissizable anddis- projectisbeingbuilt article. also pointsoutthereasons The article thisdamarepresented in this decision tobuild timeline oftheevents thatculminatedinChina’s anda ahistorical background construction, components oftheprojectand thephasesofits learned. reviewed andenhancedinlightoflessons str project by 2009,thetechnology usedinthecon- codes. construction After thecompletion ofthe adhering tothehighestqualityrequirementsof to keep thesizable project onschedule,while inorder production ratesarebecomingthenorm the struct Three Gorges Dam.Unprecedented and stretchedtothelimitasnever beforetocon- technology itself. society geo generation, environment, ecology, geology, to water conservancy, hydroelectric power w aspects, onChinaaswell asontherestof ef hoped thatthereadersmay seethetremendous the technologies usedtocompleteit.Itisalso aswell itsconstruction, and stillarefacing as main components,andthechallengesthatfaced understanding ofthissubstantialproject,its itishopedthatthey maythis article, getabetter ers inthevarious technology professionsread the Three Gorges Dam(Wahby, 2000). of this studyabroadcourseontheconstruction during tion andobservations gathered first-hand on thissizable projectandsummarizesinforma- namely PhaseII. shedssomelight This article mark ofitssecondandmostcriticalstage, the massive projectasitapproachedthehalfway China fromMay 27toJune10,2000,study author administeredastudyabroadcoursein Gorges DamProject(TGDP) ofChina. The largest hydroelectric damintheworld, the Three technologies have the beenappliedtobuild Wafeek S.Wahby Technology toBridgeTwo Centuries The ThreeDamofChina: Gorges orld. arenotlimited Those aspectsincludebut fects ofthismassive ondifferent undertaking uction ofthedamwillprobab graphy, economy, politics,transportation, In additiontoadescriptionof themain In particular, technology isbeingchallenged As students,teachers,andotherpractition Some ofthemostsophisticated20th-century , culture, business, industry,, culture,business, andeven ly needtobe - the upstreamof thedam. Also, theexistence f broad, withthehillsonbothsidesofriver str low infrequency. re 9 miles(15km)aroundthedamsite,while the rious geologic inthevicinityofabout structures addition, therearenomajorunf agoodfoundationbedforthedam.In forms with100MPa ofcompressivegranite strength, many advantages. rock,intact The crystalline about 15othersiteswere studied. The sitehas Sandouping, alongthe TGDP Site Yichang City. the existing Gezhouba Project locatedat Gorge, about25miles(40km)upstreamfrom Y inSandouping is beingconstructed Shanghai, China.Morespecifically, the TGDP Beijing and650miles(1,000km)west of ed almost750miles(1,200km)southof W scenicsites aroundQutang, most famous TGDP Location that isbeingusedduringPhaseIIofthe TGDP temporar includeashiplockandlift. structures A non-o tions: thespillway dam,theintake dam,andthe facilities. The damiscomposedofthreesec- of thedam,two power plants,andthenavigation km; Kosowatz, 1999). The TGDP iscomposed m) andalengthofapproximately 1.4miles(2.3 than Hoover Dam,withaheightof607ft(185 w Background together withhow they were dealtwith. oftheprojectareanalyzed,the construction in completion. Someofthechallengesfaced cusses theresultsthatareanticipatedafterits airl ichang County, HubeiProvince, intheXiling orld’s largest dam—nearly fourtimeslarger gional seismicactivities aresmallinintensity uxian, andXilinggorges. The TGDP islocat- uction siteofthe TGDP isrelati y flat,providing foragood-size lake rightat Interestingly, theriver valley at thecon- The siteforthe TGDP was selectedat The Three Gorges isoneoftheworld’s The TGDP isprojectedtobecomethe verflow dam. navigationThe permanent y ship lock is also a part oftheproject y shiplockisalsoapart Yangtze River, after avorable orinju- v el V y openand illage, . ,

19 The Journal of Technology Studies Technology of Journal The The Journal of Technology Studies 21 hen the first , Yangtze River , Yangtze en less than this v . First phase construction, First including dominated preparation period, Its earthmoving. massive by the signaled by completion was on River Yangtze damming of the 8 and the opening of November channel. the diversion be completed w irst-stage diversion works. works. irst-stage diversion votes on project (1,700 votes total): total): votes project (1,700 on votes (24%), 400 against for (64%), 1,100 (12%). 200 abstained campaigns against In their withdrawn. Network the dam, International Rivers a coalition of US environ- (IRN) and rights and human ment, development, administration groups encourage the U.S. to withhold financial support for the companies eager to bid for the U.S. environmental project due to its adverse and social impacts. startingenter into the dam site, the construction for the preparatory works and f construction the dam site. at TGDP’s completed Cofferdam and ships sail through channel, diverted, start of second-stage construction. interrupting of the construction work 300 Dam and affecting Three Gorges million people, with death toll 300,000 people and US$30 billion estimated This monetary loss of a single losses. the Chinese government flood makes determined more to complete the even cost project, seeing that its overall (US$27 billion) is e single loss. completed 2003. Phase III. TGDP tion of the The total duration of construction is pro- • 1998-2003: Second phase construction, will 1993 Canadian support and U.S. Former 1993 batch of construction teams First 1994 start of the (December 14) Formal 1997 8) End of Phase I, (November 1998 River, Yangtze the Huge flood caused by 2000 Scheduled to be Phase II underway. 2003 Scheduled end of Phase II and start of 2009 Scheduled end of Phase III and comple- TGDP Construction Phases into three phases: divided jected to be 17 years, • 1993-1997: es v le. —almost twice the 2 and 526 million tons of and 526 million tons 3 y Planning Commission A) determines is project , and the land area to be , and the land area to 2 y studies and site alle . 3 V y finances feasibility study. . The surface area of the reservoir . 2 angtze ver built in the world. The TGDP will The built in the world. ver completes feasibility study of the Three completes feasibility study of the Dam. Gorges Canadian International Development Agenc (CID Agency and environmentally, technically, feasib economically Square. Tiananmen the aftermath of technical support. tract to give phase, and the commencement of imple- mentation phase. Chinese Congress Dr. Sun Yat-sen proposes the original Yat-sen Sun Dr. flood control dam. Preliminar investigations. for 100 days. Compromise of the Gezhouba Dam to a substitute for it could be see whether Dam. Three Gorges the Gezhouba Dam completed and pro TGDP. not to be a substitute for the t Bank of the United States, 1996): The TGDP is the largest water conservancy water largest is the TGDP The area is about one catchment The total water Following is the TGDP dateline (Export-TGDP is the Following vel, the total storage capacity of the reservoir the vel, original water surface area. The average annual The average surface area. original water is 451 billion m runoff annual sediment discharge. With the normal With annual sediment discharge. sea (NPL) at 570 ft (175 m) above pool level le is 39.3 billion m 1985 group formed and working U.S. 1989 Canadian International Development 1990 the project in revives Premier Li Peng 1991 of Reclamation signs con- Bureau U.S. 1992 verification End of the 40-plus-year TGDP ReservoirTGDP project e course to River Yangtze the block completely This rib- reservoir. ribbon-like narrow, impound a reservoir a lake-like, rather than bon- or river-like, miles (600 400 total length of over a will have Superior—and an average km)—longer than Lake km)—less than twice the width of 0.7 miles (1.10 channel. river width of the natural million km 1920 1954 Huge flood; all transportation stopped 1958 plan. Chairman Mao proposes new 1970 1980 1983 Y will reach 1,084 km TGDP Dateline Impor 1919 inundated will be 632 km inundated will be 632 le le of lift- manent ship lock and a ship lift. The manent ship lock and a ship lift. ay, five-step flight lock carved from ay, le-w )—a major contributorto the greenhouse To put this in perspective, China’s total China’s put this in perspective, To The permanent navigation structures The permanent consist navigation The ship lift is designed as a one-stage ver- 2 ground powerhouse with an extra six hydro six with an extra ground powerhouse MW of 4,200 units totaling generator turbine are of these units intakes The installed capacity. with the proj- being constructed simultaneously the by generated power The hydroelectric ect. tons of 40 to 50 million replace TGDP would reliable, This coal combustion each year. raw to play is expected energy cheap, and renewable of a very important in the development role of environ- and the prevention economy China’s mental pollution. reached about 130 mil- capacity in 1990 power keep To 1997). & Honda, (Tillou lion kilowatts with annu- growth, economic pace with China’s al increases in the gross esti- national product 8% by output must rise mated at 6%, its power the year to reach about 580 million by annually that almost three quarters of 2015. Given this growing comes from coal, energy China’s the coal consumption poses a huge threat to harm- Coal burning emits several environment. ful air pollutants, including carbon dioxide (CO Facilities vigation of the per is navigation design capacity of annual one-way The ship lock is designed as a 50 million tons. doub effect and global warming. China used between and global warming. effect mostly 1.1 and 1.2 billion tons of coal in 1993, Industry for heating and generating electricity. as sources predict that China will consume 2009. the year much as 3 to 4 billion tons by cause acid rain, which emissions, Sulfur dioxide to rise from 15.5 million tons in are expected 2009. 1991 to 2.5 billion tons by 3. Na granite on the river’s left bank and lined with granite on the river’s concrete; each lock chamber is dimensioned at 930 x 113 x 17 ft (280 x 34 x 5 m)—length x depth—capab width x minimum water ing 10,000 tons of barge fleet 285 ft, making it ing 10,000 tons of barge such system in the world. the largest tical hoisting type with a ship container sized 400 x 60 x 11.7 ft (120 x 18 x 3.5 m), capab of carrying one 3,000 ton passenger or cargo boat each time. In addition, one temporary ship lock is designed for use during the construction chamber size of 800 x period with an effective 80 x 13.3 ft (240 x 24 x 4 m). - ) at the pool 3 C lines to central TW.h of electricity TW.h A = 35.32 ft 3 ation at 525 ft (158 m). .h of electricity output annually— v y. y. TW /s - (one m 3 er Stations The total length of the powerhouse on the The total length of the powerhouse w Meanwhile, enough room has been Meanwhile, Two powerhouses will be placed at the toe powerhouses Two The spillway dam, located in the middle of dam, located The spillway dam section On both sides of the spillway The 60-story a concrete gravity high dam is way dam, the intake dam, and the non-over- intake dam, the way ace sluice gates. The dimensions of the bot ace sluice gates.

exceeding that of the largest dam currently in that of the largest exceeding There are 15 trans- almost 40%. operation by mission lines, with 500 kV China and Chongqing City and about 500 kV DC lines to east China. preserved on the right bank for a future under- level 600 ft (180.4 m), the project is able to dis- the project is able 600 ft (180.4 m), level maximum flood (PMF) and the possible charge 847 of producing is capable 2. Po output annuall of the dam, one to the left and another to the right. left is 0.4 mile (0.65 km), with 14 sets of hydro The total turbine generator units installed. on the right is 0.37 length of the powerhouse turbine generator mile (0.6 km), with 12 hydro turbine Those 26 sets of hydro units installed. type, 700 MW each), generator units (Francis will totaling 18,200 MW of installed capacity, produce 847 flow dam. The total length of the dam axis is The total length of the dam axis dam. flow at with the crest elevation 1.45 miles (2.31 km), a maximum height of 607 ft 615 ft (185 m) and at the base, and 50 ft at the (181 m), 650 ft thick Dam in the the Hoover crest. By comparison, mile (1,244 ft) long, 727 ft United States is 0.24 the base, and 45 ft thick at high, 660 ft thick at the crest. course, is 0.3 mile (483 m) long in the river bottom outlets and 22 there are 23 total, where surf the tom outlets are 23 x 30 ft (7 x 9 m), with The net of the inlets at 300 ft (90 m). elevation width of the surface is 27 ft (8 m), sluice gates with its sill ele dam dam and non-overflow there are the intake of capacity discharge a maximum With sections. 102,500 m of the small islet of Zhongbaodao near the right- of Zhongbaodao small islet of the was River Yangtze of the side bank hand project. diversion for the river favorable Hydraulic Structures TGDP Main 1. The Dam of three sections: the type that is composed spill The Journal of Technology Studies Technology of Journal The 20 The Journal of Technology Studies 23 y el v ressi enue. v way, and left intake way, ve and complex system for and complex ve er cranes specially fitteder cranes specially with w ors. vey TGDP is already halfway completed. TGDP is already halfway because heavy sediment buildup sediment in the heavy because to hinder continue to is likely reservoir navigation. a fraction only could at best store reservoirs Yangtze entering the of the floodwaters year. during a peak-flow more beneficial, such as projects less risky constructing the smaller scale dams along canals or branch- and building new Yangtze the safety outlets when as work es that may also brings floods attack, which Yangtze areas. to new water should it fall disaster area ing a possible due to an attack or due to earthquakes or natural catastrophes. finest scenery and an some of China’s important source of tourism re The second of the three construction phases To meet deadlines, over 25,000 workers over meet deadlines, To height to its eventual As the dam progresses ucture, which will house 14 giant turbines. will house ucture, which 11. the control benefits Flood are overstated; 12. funds from Dam construction will divert 13. be a military creat- target, The dam would 14. The dam and the reservoir will destroy TGDP Status Highlights of the This critical stage presents perhaps the TGDP’s This critical stage presents perhaps the to an agg biggest challenge: keeping ambitious schedule while constructing—accordambitious schedule while - ing to the highest technical specifications and foreign inspection—the permanent five-story spill ship lock, the dam’s str The schedule calls for the first turbine two critical generators to be producing power—and the remainder of the bank by revenue—followed known This means breaking every in 2003. 2000). record for concrete construction (Wahby, must pour concrete at a pace of about 520,000 cubic yards (400,000 cubic meters) per month, requiring an extensi transporting enormous quantities of concrete The equip- from the mixing plants to the dam. supplier Rotec Industries, ment, from the U.S. and consists of about 5 miles of fast, movable, rotating con of 607 ft, six to In jacking systems will raise the conveyors. the tower addition to their lifting capacity, al. v vi slides, and This also xaggerated er for their sur v angtze basin, while no funds angtze basin, while Y Three Gorges Dam,” 1996). Dam,” Three Gorges fect Chongqing because the water vigation benefitsvigation are e e in the wage and toxic waste into the reservoir, waste and toxic wage ould af angtze dolphin, the Chinese sturgeon, the angtze dolphin, the Chinese sturgeon, v have been allocated for water treatment been allocated for water have (“China’s threaten fish, reptiles, and other wildlife that depend on the ri dolphin, Yangtze Almost 80 species of fish, finless porpoise, and Chinese sturgeon, giant panda will be endangered (“China’s 1996). Dam,” Three Gorges carriedthe fertile the silt traditionally by it becomes trapped behind as River Yangtze accumulates upstream, it As silt the dam. w opposite rise at the reservoir’s would level partsend and submerge of it. could cause imbalance in the overburden increase may pressure on soil strata, which the risk of earthquakes and land stability. threaten the dam’s eventually Na 75,000 acres of the best agricultural the best acres of 75,000 and farmland in the region, cultivated lesser farmersrequiring to start cultivating quality lands. lost. importance will be forever and adversely system entire ecological in the area. Not the environment affect natural will it obstruct the river’s only course, but it will also inundate hundreds are the habitat for of acres of land that species. many will the project mental damage induced by wildlife. In addi- also threaten the river’s fishtion to massive species, it will also endangered species, including the affect Y the the Chinese alligator, Chinese tiger, Siberian crane, and the giant panda. amounts of will flush tremendous river se turning it into a “cesspool” that will threat- who en the health of the scores of millions li 8. could also water and slow-moving Pollution 9. of be deprived would regions Downstream 10. 3. approximately will flood reservoir The 4. 110 sites of cultural and historical Over 5. project will alter the It is feared that the 6. environ- It is predicted that the devastating 7. the other cities along Chongqing and many er v The TGDP is ith almost 15 mil- With its 26 turbines With The TGDP is projected to TGDP The , the TGDP is estimated to TGDP is estimated , the lem when the infrastructurelem when w.hrs output per year. per year. output w.hrs ay navigation capacity from navigation ay ater. The project is expected to promote The project is expected elopment of fishery reservoir, in the v y 35% to 37%. W y 35% to 37%. To a certain it should improve extent, To ell as tourism and recreational activi- w a precise control over the Yangtze the control over w a precise wns, 1,352 villages, and 657 factories— lion people, Chongqing will become the “seaport”largest in the world. Other: the de River, reducing the severity of flooding by the severity reducing River, life and property from saving 90%, thereby destruction. Generation: Power at full capacity refugee new community.” refugee new a great economical, sociological, and cul- a great sociological, economical, will create a loss—and tural irreversible pollution prob of these communities become submerged under w million people, cutting them almost two from their roots and creating all kinds of social instability associated with a “ri Flood Control: allo the present 10 million tons to 50 million decreasing the navigation tons, meanwhile cost b generate 18,200 MW annually, making it annually, generate 18,200 MW producer in the the biggest hydropower of China’s 15% provide This would world. River Yangtze in the electricity—mostly to That output is equivalent basin area. or 50 million tons of coal approximately plants, producing that of 18 nuclear power 84 billion kilo Navigation Improvement: the passage of 10,000- projected to allow ton ships to Chongqing instead of the limited 5,000-ton ships, increasing the annual one-w as w ties. quality of the middle and lower the water during the dry season reaches of the river conditions for the and create favorable transfer projects. south-to-north water to 4. 2. 2. Construction will force the resettlement of forward. Following is a list of both the advan- of both is a list Following forward. to think for the readers and disadvantages tages for themselves: and decide TGDP Advantages 1. 3. TGDP Disadvantages 1. The reservoir will flood 13 cities, 140 3 3 3 tons tons 3 3 A more y. y. 463.0 x 10 256.5 x 10 31.98 million m 102.83 million m 26 sets (18,200 MW) y a factor of 2.25 within 10 generating unit in the left-bank unit generating and the on line plant goes power permanent ship lock begins operation. completion of the by marked all 26 electricity-producing turbo-generators. gest dam in history, is already in its gest dam in history, uction for principal structuresuction for principal diver- and y half of the project’s cost is being applied y half of the project’s The construction of China’s Three Gorges The construction of China’s The main work quantities to be done in the quantities to The main work In 1990, the cost of the project was estimat- In 1990, the cost of the project was

w of the decision makers in the Chinese gov- w of the decision makers nment because the project is indeed moving

ninth year and is expected to be completed by and is expected ninth year $27 2009 with a cost currently estimated at over other project in more than any billion. Perhaps has attracted the TGDP the history the of China, and groups in individuals attention of many and created much as worldwide, China, as well among the experts, particularly due controversy, and compelling advantages to its almost equally Supporters of the project believe disadvantages. of the project far outweigh that the advantages this is the obviously, and, the disadvantages, vie er recent estimate is $27 billion (Y223 billion). Nearl and to the resettlement of hundreds of villages estimated edge. If the the river’s along towns cost is increased b that the actual be possible it might well years, reach the the end of the project would cost by other any $50 billion mark–more than virtually single construction project in histor TGDP Controversy Dam, the lar sion works are as follows (China Yangtze Three Yangtze (China are as follows sion works Corporation, Dam Project Development Gorges 1999): • Earth-and-rock excavation • Earth-and-rock embankment • Concrete placing• Re-bar 27. 94 million m • 2003-2009: • 2003-2009: (final) Third phase construction, of Construction Work TGDP Quantities constr • Installation of hydro turbine generator • Installation of hydro TGDP Cost ed at US$12 billion (Y90.09 billion). • Metal works The Journal of Technology Studies Technology of Journal The 22 The Journal of Technology Studies 25 es g dinator opular P ee Gor ogram, School of Thr August). ebruary). . Retrieved from . Retrieved ic gical risk? (1996, afeek S. Wahby serves as the coor afeek S. Wahby Some facts about the Three Gorges Three the Some facts about After the completion of the TGDP, precise TGDP, the of the completion After in technology effort TGDP is a massive The W Frequently asked questions about the questions about asked Frequently The bigandthesmall. American: Scientif of the Industrial Technology Pr of the Industrial Technology Charleston. Eastern Illinois University, Technology, of Epsilon Pi Tau. He is a member-at-large flood control can be achieved and enormous and be achieved control can flood produced annually, will be energy hydroelectric the saving coal consumption and replacing will not be without this However, environment. such as effects the negative cost considering villages and cities, towns, numerous submerging of the best farmland, and inundating some wildlife, not to mention the besides threatening 2 million people. resettlement of almost the chair of the The author asked transfer. Engineers in Chongqing Association of Retired Chinese people are proud of the Great whether After a TGDP. are with the more than they Wall he stated with a smile moment of deep thinking, the Chinese built by was Wall that “the Great Three people, and it is indeed their pride, but the world, the whole Dam is being built by Gorges world!” so it should be the pride of the whole th the ecolo or elopment Corporation.(1999, F ress” w v g w Y Three Gorges Dam Project, 1997 Dam Project, Gorges Three Report on a study abroad course in China, May 27-June 10, 2000. Report abroad course in China, May on a study Ne ork. v .american.edu/ted/THREEDAM.htm ges Dam Project. ges Yichang, Hubei Province, China. Hubei Province, Yichang, ed fromhttp://www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/amu/ucr/student/1996/b.hill/china.htm . Yichang, Hubei Province, China. Province, Hubei Yichang, . n Illinois University, Charleston. n Illinois University, gest water conservancy project as conservancy gest water ee Gor angtze Three Gorges Project De Three Gorges angtze ences oject oject. Y s Three Gorges Dam: Is the “pro Three Gorges s No. 1 to 5 powerhouse concrete placement concrete to 5 powerhouse No. 1 were tailrace tube and the basement of the for No. finished.The excavation basically finished was 7 to 14 units of the end by in progress. placement is 1998. Concrete Science. Retrie Thr http://www Easter New York: Engineering News Record. Engineering News York: New Pr Pr When completed, the TGDP of China will the When completed, Three Gorges Dam Corporation. (1997, November 1). Dam Corporation.Three Gorges (1997, November osowatz, J. J. (1999, December). Mighty monolith. In J. J. osowatz, illou, S. L., & Honda, Y. (1997). Y. illou, S. L., & Honda, Export-Import Bank of the United States. (1996, June 5). T Wahby, W. S. (2000). China 2000. W. Wahby, The Conclusions be the lar station and dam hydropower largest as the well is being challenged Technology in the world. before to limit as never and stretched to the challenges in the of engineering face a variety many This includes TGDP. construction of the foun- preparation, the dam’s aspects such as site main struc- the project’s dations, the details of are carved in very hard tures, some of which under to work rocks, not to mention having Production rates never weather. ever-changing before attained are becoming the norm in order After project on schedule. the sizable to keep the 2009, the completion of the project by used in the construction of the dam technology enhanced in light of need to be will probably lessons learned. Refer China China’ K 3 ted Completed; ation of 120 The concrete v ace and C temperature o oject: as started in 1996 inished at the end Two aggregate Two The following were The following vigation on schedule. vigation as f At the end of 1998, the Completed; diversion venient constructionvenient con- vation of the water feed of the water vation ranged in the first con- per month concrete placing. ation work and concrete ation work 3 v xca e reached an ele w dam sections: as ar v y 1998. werhouse are planned to be the werhouse lo Exca Concrete placement of No. 1 to 6 ary ship lock pr erf w dam sections w round e v g uction stage and w erflo gments ha empor xcavating and processing systems have and xcavating placement completed on schedule. ship lock: Permanent completed on schedule: Surf T put into operation on schedule. Ship lift: and empty system including inclined shafts shafts, concrete lining. and gate Non-o underground excavation, excavation work excavation underground excavation, for the lock chambers, concrete placement, under placement of the left and right bank non- ov and 1997, respectively. Currently, several Currently, and 1997, respectively. se Diversion works: Diversion channel opened for na site and Xiling Bridge across the Yangtze the Bridge across Xiling site and October since in operation been have River docks and an internal1996. Main road finished. been the site area have system at m with the left abutment dam sections hav- of 185 m. ing reached to the crest elevation Each batching plant has its own cooling has its own Each batching plant a 7 system that guarantees for cooling concrete in the summer. first batch of generators put into operation. Because of its con for of the powerhouse dition, the excavation No. 1 to 6 w str per hour, which can satisfy the capability of can satisfy which per hour, 550 thousand m been constructed and are able to supply been constructed and are able coarse- and fine-size aggregates for con- other the addition of two With crete mixing. systems, the con- concrete batching plant could reach 2,380 m crete production rate of 1997. The concrete placement was start- The concrete placement was of 1997. ed in Januar Aggregate processing and concrete processing Aggregate plant system: batching e Left bank intake dam sections and pow- Left bank intake erhouse: star dam sections of left bank was intake at the end of 1997. No. 1 to 6 units of the left bank po • • • • • • • The - The total ferdams.) ve space for the ve o car T C) as it hardens. o ). The land requisition and ). 2 F (7 , a 2,950 ft suspension bridge, the o y uction area of dam site is 3,700 acres xpressway from Yichang city to the dam Yichang from xpressway o facilitate transporting thousands of constr Land requisition in dam site: Land requisition (15. 28 km relocation of 12 thousand residents have been finished and an enclosed manage ment in-site area carried out. Internal and outside transportation: Internal e The construction main pit for erecting the T five-step flight ship lock The double-way, The construction can be described progress • •

ere sunk below the transverse cof the transverse ere sunk below dam was dug to a depth of 260 ft, allowing the of 260 ft, allowing dug to a depth dam was holes (with Numerous to begin. foundation work than 60 miles) are currentlya total length of more groundbeing drilled into the and filled pres- with This “grout curtain”surized grout. will help pro- water preventing tect the main dam from uplift by the from seeping underneath the structure. (For same purpose,sq ft of concrete walls 870,000 w to the construction site, the government workers the Yichang, from highway built a four-lane nearest city of significant standard, size. By any cuts through the which the $110-million road, a con- itself mountains that frame Xiling, was undertaking:length of siderable 40% of its total includ- 17 miles consists of bridges and tunnels, long. ing a twin bore that is more than 2 miles Additionall Hong longest in Mainland China, outside of built at Sandouping for access to the was Kong, right bank. project’s left bank carved from granitewas on the river’s and lined with concrete. multiple chambers of the lock, workers had to multiple chambers of the lock, workers with precision more than 75 million cubic blast yards of hard rock. as follows: cranes have swinging telescopic conveyors that conveyors telescopic swinging have cranes impressive at the pour concrete to are designed A per hour. than 600 cubic yards rate of more a large concrete from delivers mobile crane training wall. left hauler to construct the dam’s considerable generates a Because concrete can volumes heat as it sets, large amount of the hot, damaging become exceedingly structural of strength. Hence, curing material’s it at a temperature to keep concrete is essential of about 45 The Journal of Technology Studies Technology of Journal The 24