Abstract: The experimental building of the China Construction Technology Center is nearing completion. Its unique architectural design posed numerous challenges during construction, which were effectively resolved through innovative BIM technology. This article offers a detailed overview of the technical difficulties faced and the creative solutions implemented throughout the project.
Located in the Linhe Development Park in Shunyi, Beijing, the experimental building of the China Construction Technology Center is being developed by the China Construction Second Engineering Bureau Third Company. This special project will serve as an architectural research center and function as a research platform upon completion. Its architectural design is distinct from conventional buildings, and the project team encountered several challenges during construction, all of which were overcome through technological innovation.
Crafting Asia’s Largest Reaction Wall Experimental System
Currently, construction of the reaction wall and reaction floor system for the test building is nearing completion. Once finished, this system will be the largest of its kind in Asia, featuring a reaction wall measuring 25.5 meters in height, 70 meters in length, and 6.5 meters in thickness, along with a reaction floor area of approximately 3,800 square meters.
This reaction wall and floor system is a comprehensive large-scale structural testing setup capable of conducting traditional static tests, repeated loading tests for large structures, and even full-scale pseudo-dynamic tests.
The system includes 13,466 loading holes, each 80 millimeters in diameter and spaced 500 millimeters apart, with a designed bearing capacity of 130 tons per hole. Of these, 4,774 holes are on the reaction wall and 8,692 on the reaction floor.
The main construction challenges involved the precise positioning of the loading holes and maintaining overall flatness. According to Li Jing, the project’s chief engineer, the allowable deviation for hole positioning was limited to 1 millimeter, while the flatness deviation of the plane had to be within 3 millimeters. The installation process combined factory precision machining, unit assembly, and full positioning using total station technology to overcome these technical hurdles. Construction personnel successfully completed the task under continuous technical guidance.
Once operational, the experimental building will facilitate seismic simulation tests capable of applying full-scale seismic loads on structures up to eight stories tall, Li Jing explained.
Introducing RFID Chips and Pioneering QR Code External Panels in China
This large-scale construction project includes 2,438 plain concrete cladding panels, weighing 2.4, 3, and 7 tons respectively, and spanning 214 different types with a total area of 12,000 square meters. These panels surpass the heaviest cladding panels currently used in China. The largest single panel covers 20 square meters, classifying it as super-large external cladding.
Managing such a vast number of heavy and complex panels poses significant challenges. Traditional manual methods risk errors, unclear wear tracking, omissions, and confusion, ultimately reducing efficiency and affecting the project schedule.
To address these issues, the project team adopted lean construction principles and implemented RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology developed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation’s technical center for enhanced quality control.
After negotiations, the project department partnered with the external panel manufacturer to produce the first plain concrete external panels in China with embedded RFID chips. During production, these chips store comprehensive information including specifications, models, weights, quality status, transportation time, installation time, and location throughout the entire lifecycle of the panels.
Coupled with BIM technology, the team simulated and pre-located the installation positions of the exposed concrete cladding, conducting multiple technical demonstrations to ensure accuracy.
Upon delivery from the factory, construction workers scan each panel with handheld scanners—similar to supermarket QR code scanners—providing instant access to detailed panel information. The installation process combines human effort and machinery: cranes lift and position the panels, workers manually secure and adjust them using hoists, followed by precise alignment and installation. This integration of QR code technology has streamlined and simplified construction.
Li Jing highlighted that RFID-enabled precast concrete cladding has significantly shortened production cycles, reduced inventory levels, and enabled shared information, coordinated planning, and source control across design, production, transportation, and construction phases. Additionally, the chip remains with the panel throughout its lifecycle, ensuring quality traceability. Zhao Zhiguo, the technical director, added that the panels are coated with imported fluorocarbon resin paint that provides self-protection and self-cleaning properties.
This project has set two national records in China: it involves the heaviest cladding panels and is the first to apply RFID chip technology for controlling the manufacturing of plain concrete cladding panels. The manufacturing technology has achieved top-tier standards within the country.
Unit-Wide Enhancements: Innovative Construction of a 33-Meter Ultra-High Restoration Space
Constructing a 33-meter-high restoration space presented a major challenge. The project team debated whether to use traditional scaffolding or pursue innovative construction methods. After thorough research and testing, an innovative approach was adopted to enhance the overall unit.
During a site visit, most of the 2,450 square meter restoration space had been completed, with only a few areas remaining under construction. The site was vibrant and busy.
“Completing construction for an outdoor space as tall as 33 meters is extremely challenging,” Li Jing told reporters, gesturing toward the active site.
Given the height and quality requirements, traditional construction methods were unsuitable. After repeated study, the project team selected an electric hoist unit block lifting system. Aluminum veneer panels, 3mm thick and measuring 150cm by 300cm, were assembled into units of four on the ground. These units were then lifted, positioned in the air, connected, secured, leveled, and installed.
The critical challenge during installation was ensuring the flatness of the suspended ceiling within the restoration space and achieving precise alignment of the aluminum veneer panels to form clean horizontal and vertical lines. This required high skill and comprehensive quality control from the construction team.
“Overall, construction proceeded smoothly,” Li Jing said with satisfaction. “Our adoption of new technology has been fully validated by practice.”
By moving beyond traditional methods and pursuing innovative breakthroughs, the project team successfully completed construction with technology as their guide. This approach not only improved efficiency and saved time but also generated invaluable technological expertise and practical experience for the team.
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