An aerial photo focuses on the Macao entry port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge that will open on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua] Soft clay on seabed posed biggest challenge for engineers The complex geology of the Pearl River estuary in South China was a driving force behind the technological innovation that makes the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge stand out from similar projects around the world, according to civil engineers. They point to the estuary's variable soil conditions, with thick layers of soft alluvial clay that subject its undersea tunnel section, at a depth of about 50 meters, to high hydraulic pressure, and say the entire 55-kilometer structure may be the most complex and challenging sea crossing ever built - in addition to being the world's longest. Hans de Wit, managing director of Tunnel Engineering Consultants, a leading tunnel construction company based in the Netherlands, said complicated infrastructure projects like the bridge typically stimulate innovation. De Wit, who has nearly 30 years of experience in immersed tunnel projects, was the lead consultant for the design and construction of the HZMB's island and tunnel project. The size of the bridge project and its immense budget allowed for study and innovation, he said. Additionally, these large infrastructure projects very often contain technical challenges beyond the current state of the art. This is also the case with the HZMB. color-filled-wristbandplain black silicone wristbandsfigured wristbandcolored rubber bands for braceletsmiscarriage awareness silicone braceletsextra large silicone wristbandssilicone wristbandscheapest place to buy silicone wristbandsathletic silicone wristbands
Pet dogs competed at the Shenyang Pet Ice and Snow Games. [Photo/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn] More than 400 pet dogs competed in four events, including snow circle pull, speed run, snow rally and relay, at the Shenyang Pet Ice and Snow Games during the weekend. It was held when the outdoor temperature was below -24 C. Large dogs, such as huskies, golden retrievers and Alaskan malamutes pulled their owners towards the end point effortlessly. The big dogs ran past smaller dogs, such as corgis and bulldogs. A husky crossed the finish line first and the champion won a prize of almost 1,000 yuan.
