November 5, 2025
Following the successful twin-span rotation of the Xi’an Eurasia Avenue Overpass in July 2025, IEC has once again pushed the boundaries of bridge engineering. On September 3rd, the project entered its most technically critical stage: transferring the bridge load from the temporary spherical rotational bearings to the permanent supports—a process known as system conversion—and retrieving the spherical bearings for reuse.
Live footage of the system conversion process
After several hours of precisely coordinated operations, the project team completed the conversion and successfully removed and recovered the rotational spherical bearings.
Visualization of the detachable drop-beam rotational system
The bridge employs the world’s first “Intelligent Detachable Drop-Beam Rotational System”—jointly developed by IEC and the Xi’an Design Institute of China Railway—based on IEC’s proprietary TWINSA® intelligent constraint system. IEC was fully responsible for manufacturing, installation, rotation execution, load conversion, and bearing retrieval.
In-Place Load Transfer without Jacking
The system enables direct load transfer from the spherical bearing to the permanent support without synchronized jacking. A minimal auxiliary force—less than 1% of the bearing’s load capacity—is sufficient for disengagement, ensuring a smooth and damage-free conversion.
From Disposable to Reusable
Conventional spherical bearings used in rotational bridges are permanent installations embedded into the structure, resulting in material waste and high maintenance cost. In contrast, IEC’s innovation allows for 100% recovery and reuse of the bearing components, completely eliminating sunk costs of custom components.
Safer Pier-Top Operations
All rotation and system conversion tasks occur at the lower platform of the pier top. The lower center of gravity greatly reduces load demands, improving safety and operational control.
Minimal Disruption Below
The entire conversion and retrieval process takes place above ground without blocking railways or roads below, minimizing the need for closures and diversions, and ensuring uninterrupted railway and traffic operations.
Stable and Controllable Load Switching
Through defined constraint boundaries and intelligent monitoring, the system guarantees smooth, continuous force transfer and displacement control, avoiding the secondary stresses and safety risks associated with traditional jacking methods.
A Milestone in Modular, Recyclable Bridge Design
The Xi’an Eurasia Avenue Overpass project is the first in the world to realize full retrieval of 10,000-ton-class rotational bearings with on-site system conversion, transforming bridge rotation from a one-time method into a modular, circular-use system. It provides a model for future standardization and scalable application.
Advancing Standards and Green Infrastructure
This breakthrough integrates design, construction, and recovery into a full lifecycle approach. It represents a major leap toward sustainable transportation infrastructure. Related patents and standardization efforts are underway to establish measurable, replicable guidelines for testing and certification, paving the way for widespread adoption in railway crossings and urban interchange projects.
IEC project and engineering team on site
