[Let's Run Again Construction Korea] World Sends Love Calls to Noryang Bridge's 'Hakikjin Shadow' Precast Technology

Total Length 3.1km Suspension Bridge Cable Connection
Repeated Precast Process Using BIM
Pre-correction of Design Errors, Zero Construction Errors
Completed 9-Year Construction Without Accidents

World's Longest 'Jaber Causeway Sea Link Bridge'
Shulabikat Bay 12.43km Doha Link Section Managed
Overcame Contract Challenges Including Tidal Environment Protection Zone

A panoramic view of Noryang Bridge connecting Hadong-gun and Namhae-gun in Gyeongnam. GS Engineering & Construction applied advanced design technology in the construction of this bridge, arranging the world's first 'U'-shaped three-dimensional curved cables in a suspension bridge.

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] When looking out at the sea from the center of the bridge that you cross when entering the western coast of Namhae-gun from Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam Province, a silhouette in the shape of 'Hakikjin (Crane Wing Formation)' is vividly spread across the water surface. This is the 'shadow art' created by GS Engineering & Construction (GS E&C) through the completion of the 'Noryang Bridge' in 2018, 420 years after the Battle of Noryang, the last naval battle that ended the six-year Imjin War in 1598, which took place in the waters in front of Noryang. Unlike typical suspension bridges that arrange the main cables connecting the towers in parallel straight lines, this bridge is the world's first cable-stayed suspension bridge to arrange 'U'-shaped three-dimensional curved cables, creating such a spectacular view.

Noryang Bridge Completed with Purely Domestic Smart Construction Technology

The Noryang Bridge, with a total length of 3.1 km, is a comprehensive work of GS E&C's leading 'Pre-Construction' technology in the industry. Pre-Construction literally means 'constructing first' and uses 3D design technology called BIM (Building Information Modeling) to convert traditional 2D designs into 3D, allowing for virtual pre-construction to correct design errors in advance, enabling precise design and process management through smart construction technology.

GS E&C repeatedly applied the Pre-Construction process using BIM during the cable installation that supports the bridge. Since the suspension bridge cable installation process changes frequently within a short period, this was done to eliminate safety accidents and construction errors that could occur during the construction phase. As a result, the Noryang Bridge, by arranging three-dimensional curved cables, not only visualizes the Hakikjin formation but also has a structure that better withstands wind. A GS E&C official explained, "The fact that we were able to complete the construction without a single accident during the long nine-year construction period was thanks to the Pre-Construction technology."

The main tower of the Noryang Bridge is 148.6 meters tall, equivalent to a 50-story building. Generally, main towers are vertical, but the Noryang Bridge applied an 8-degree inclination angle to the tower. This reduces the tension of the side-span main cables compared to vertical towers, saving construction costs and enhancing aesthetics. By placing the tower on land, it also solved the problem of marine ecosystem destruction in the clean waters adjacent to Hallyeohaesang National Park.

Currently, the Noryang Bridge serves as a replacement bridge for the Namhae Bridge, which has been open for 47 years. It not only disperses traffic demand from the aging Namhae Bridge but also serves as a connection network with the Namhae Expressway, Daejeon-Tongyeong Expressway, and Wanju-Suncheon Expressway, contributing to regional economic revitalization.

Overcoming Harsh Conditions and Achieving Shortened Construction Period with Doha Link

A panoramic view of the Jaber Causeway, the world's longest sea bridge opened in the first half of last year in Kuwait. GS Engineering & Construction was responsible for constructing the 'Doha Link' section of this bridge.

GS E&C's bridge construction technology is already recognized as top-level in the industry overseas. A representative example is the world's longest sea bridge, the 'Jaber Causeway Sea Bridge,' which opened in the first half of last year. Among the total length of 48.57 km crossing Kuwait Bay, GS E&C was responsible for the 12.43 km 'Doha Link' section connecting Entertainment City in Shuwaikh Bay and Shuwaikh Port. Doha Link was commissioned by Kuwait's Public Authority for Roads and Transportation (PART), with a project cost of approximately 605.7 billion KRW.

The client ordered a construction period of 48 months for the Doha Link project, including design. Considering the overall conditions, the industry at the time evaluated this as an extremely tight schedule. Shuwaikh Bay has a large tidal range and shallow water depth, making it difficult for marine equipment to enter for construction, and the surrounding area is an environmental protection zone, making it impossible to adjust water depth through dredging or reclamation methods. GS E&C overcame these difficulties using smart construction technologies such as BIM. Through simulations reflecting big data collected by advanced equipment, they found a reasonable alternative of land-based construction by installing a temporary bridge in a relatively short time, enabling them to meet the promised contract period. A GS E&C official said, "Kuwait's Islamic conservatism made the permitting process very strict, but thanks to the trust built through our technology, we were able to complete the project without major difficulties."

After the opening of Doha Link, the habitual traffic congestion on the road from Kuwait City to the Zahra area was greatly alleviated. The two areas are connected by a straight bridge, shortening the distance by about 25 km. Additionally, accessibility to the nearby new city under development by the Kuwaiti government (Jaber Al Ahmad City) has also improved.

Bridge Construction Receiving Continuous Love Calls Worldwide

A bird's-eye view of the Tanzania 'New Salinder Bridge Construction' project, with a total length of 6.23 km, which GS Construction began in the second half of 2018 and aims to complete by 2021.

Despite the risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, GS E&C is currently striving for bridge construction projects worldwide that have significant ripple effects such as regional economic revitalization and cultural integration.

In Tanzania, GS E&C began construction in the second half of 2018 on the 'New Salinda Bridge' project worth 120 billion KRW, aiming for completion in 2021. This project, with a total length of 6.23 km, is a bridge and road construction project to relieve habitual congestion between the Umsasani area and the Central Business District (CBD) in Dar es Salaam, the economic and industrial center of Tanzania. The project connects Kokovichi in Dar es Salaam and the area near the Aga Khan Hospital with a four-lane bridge over the sea. This construction also applies GS E&C's accumulated bridge technology domestically and internationally, along with upgraded smart technologies such as '4D BIM' beyond existing BIM.

In Myanmar, a bridge construction project worth 174.2 billion KRW, won in 2018, is actively underway. This bridge, with a total length of 4.325 km, consists of a 1.464 km four-lane road and a 2.861 km bridge. It connects Yangon, the former capital's core commercial area, with Dala, a traffic-disadvantaged area undergoing urban development planning, with a target completion in 2022. Once completed, travel time between Yangon and Dala is expected to be reduced from two hours to 30 minutes. A GS E&C official said, "We will do our best to develop and expand the application of various smart construction technologies that can be applied to construction sites in the future to improve construction safety, quality, and productivity."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.