Jiefang Bridge, formerly known as "Wanguo Bridge", is ChinaTianjinDomestic connectionHebei DistrictAndZone of PeaceOf the river, located atHaihe RiverAbove the waterway, it is the only double leaf vertical rotation type in ChinaOpen bridgeIt is also one of the landmark buildings in Tianjin[1-2]。
Jiefang Bridge was built in the 12th year of the Republic of China (1923);It was completed and opened to traffic on October 18, the 16th year of the Republic of China (1927), and was called the Wanguo Bridge (France Bridge) at that time[3]；It was renamed Jiefang Bridge on January 25, 1949[4][5]。
Jiefang Bridge starts from Haihe East Road in the north, crosses Haihe Waterway, and ends in the westJiefang North Road；The bridge is 97.64m long and 19.5m wide[5]；The bridge deck is two-way four lane[6]；The total investment is about 1.9 million taels of silver (during the Republic of China)[5]。
Chinese name
Jiefang Bridge
Foreign name
Jiefang Bridge
Commencement date
1923
Operation time
October 18, 1927
Region
Tianjin, China
Type
Open bridge and rigid frame bridge
Length
97.64 m
Width
19.5 m
Lane size
Two way four lane
Design speed
30 km/h
Start stop position
Haihe East Road, Jiefang North Road
Management organization
Tianjin Municipal Commission of Urban Administration
On June 12, the 27th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1901),Eight-Nation AllianceEmile Jean Francois R é gisVoyron, a French general, proposed to build an iron bridge to connect the railway station and surrounding roads[10]；On July 12, the Minutes of the 170th Meeting of Tianjin Dutong Yamen mentioned that the bridge will always be open to Chinese and foreign people, so it was named "international bridge"[15]。
Jiefang Bridge on Tianjin Haihe River
In the 28th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1902), the World Bridge (the old Longtou Iron Bridge) was built[14]。
On January 9, 1904, the 30th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty, the predecessor of Jiefang Bridge, the "Wanguo Bridge (the old dragon head iron bridge)", was completed, which was the first link between the French Concession and theLaolongtou Railway Station(NowTianjin Railway Station）, belonging to the swing open bridge[8]。
In the 12th year of the Republic of China (1923), Tianjin's economic prosperity led to increased traffic pressure, and the old Wanguo Bridge no longer met the demand. The consulate group in Tianjin decided to rebuild the new bridge, which was prepared by the French Concession Industry Bureau[9]；On August 1, Haihe Engineering Bureau issued the bidding document for bridge construction. A total of 17 companies submitted 31 proposals[11]；In the same year, the construction of the bridge started[3]。
On October 18, the 16th year of the Republic of China (1927), the bridge was completed and opened to traffic, which was then called the Wanguo Bridge (France Bridge)[3]。
From 1937 to 1945, the Wanguo Bridge was affected by the war and was opened, closed and repaired for many times due to military needs[12]。
On January 25, 1949, Wanguo Bridge was renamed Jiefang Bridge[4][5]。
On February 21, 2005, Jiefang Bridge was completely renovated, combining modern technology to improve its bearing capacity and durability[13]。
On October 31, 2006, Jiefang Bridge was trial opened[13]。
On January 9, 2007, the reconstruction of Jiefang Bridge was completed and officially opened[13]。
Bridge location
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Jiefang Bridge is located on the scenic line of Dagukou Haihe River at Sanchahekou, Hebei District, Tianjin, China. It is located in the middle of Tianjin, crosses the Haihe River, connects Hebei District and Heping District, and is east of the upstreamChifeng BridgeAbout 800 meters away from the downstream in the westDagu BridgeAbout 500 meters.The north end of Jiefang Bridge starts from Haihe East Road in Hebei District, and the south end connects to Jiefang North Road in Heping District. It is an important urban trunk road in Tianjin, making it an important transportation hub in the center of Tianjin[1]。
Jiefang Bridge
bridge design
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Bridge structure
Structure layout
Jiefang Bridge is mainly composed of main bridge and approach bridge.The main bridge part includes three holes: two side holes and one middle hole. The side hole is a through simply supported steel truss beam, and the middle hole is a Scherzer open system steel truss beam. The overall structure is a three span steel truss beam.Piers and abutments are built on caissons.The bridge deck is equipped with sidewalk.The bridge opening system realizes the vertical rotation opening of the bridge through the motor driving gear set, driving wheel, rack, arc beam and other components[7]。
Jiefang Bridge Opens
Design features
Jiefang Bridge adopts a through Schrzer opening system. Through the coordinated operation of mechanical devices, the bridge can be opened smoothly, thus providing necessary navigation space.The bridge adopts the vertical rotation mode of the movable axle to enable it to reach a nearly vertical opening state and ensure the smooth passage of large ships.The main bridge adopts steel truss beam structure, which has high strength and stability, and can effectively carry traffic loads, while the pier and abutment structures provide stable support, ensuring the stability and safety of the overall bridge[7]。
The span of Jiefang Bridge is 24.232 m+46.94 m+24.232 m.The bridge deck is 12.2 meters wide, with 2.75 meters wide sidewalks on both sides.The pier spacing is 49.94m, and the abutment pier spacing is 24.232m.The bridge pier is built on a caisson 8.5 meters wide, 22 meters long and 6 meters high. The depth of the caisson is 25.60 meters lower than the river bank. The foundation is two concrete piers with a diameter of 4.5 meters.The abutment is built on a 4m wide, 23m long and 10m high caisson, and the foundation is built on a wood pile group with a diameter of 0.3m and a length of 13.72m.The side hole span is 24.232 meters long, and the main truss center distance is 14.48 meters;The middle span is 46.94m long, and the center distance of the main truss is 13.21m.After opening, 42.7m free channel will be formed between the two piers, and the opening angle can reach 89 °[7][17]。
Diagram of Jiefang Bridge parameters
Design parameters
Road grade
Urban trunk road
Lane setting
Two way four lane
Design speed
30 km/h
Load standard
Automobile - Class 15, crowd: 4kN/m2
Navigable clearance
4.5m above the bridge
design period
50 years
reference material:[16]
Equipment and facilities
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As of June 2021, in order to improve the lighting quality of the night scene of Haihe River and highlight the landmark of Jiefang Bridge, Tianjin Urban Management Committee has carried out landscape lighting transformation on Jiefang Bridge, installed 717 sets of lamps, laid 1000 meters of cables, and completed the construction safely and efficiently[18]。
As of July 2024, Jiefang Bridge is the main urban road, free of charge[19]。
Passage
As of May 2023, traffic restrictions will be imposed on roads in surrounding areas from the opening to the end of Jiefang Bridge[24-25]。
Construction achievements
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Technical difficulties
In order to cooperate with the comprehensive development of Haihe River in Tianjin, create a unique urban cultural landscape belt, and retain Jiefang Bridge to meet the traffic demand, it is necessary to repair and strengthen it, restore the opening function of Schrzer, and encounter the following problems in the process of reinforcement and repair.
Construction difficulties
concrete content
Structural damage and corrosion
Long term exposure of Jiefang Bridge leads to paint degradation and serious corrosion, which affects the structural strength.
The structural members of Jiefang Bridge are distorted and loose, threatening the safety.
Turn on system repair
The lack of data makes it difficult to repair.
The transmission system and electrical system are aging and need to be redesigned and replaced.
Riveting process problems
The raw steel is fragile and needs to adopt traditional riveting process. There is a shortage of skilled workers.
Multiple process tests must be carried out to ensure connection quality.
Design optimization of key components
The design defects of arc beam and tooth seat beam need to be optimized.
The counterweight needs to be redesigned to keep the structure stable.
Construction and testing challenges
Accurate weighing and counterweight adjustment are required to restore the opening function.
The construction area is busy, so the impact on traffic needs to be reduced.
reference material:[16][17][20]
Honor recognition
By 2017, Jiefang Bridge had won the title of Tianjin“Haihe Cup”First Prize of Excellent Survey and Design[21]。
On July 12, the 27th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1901), the Minutes of the 170th Meeting of Tianjin Dutong Yamen mentioned that the bridge would always be open to Chinese and foreign people, so it was named "international bridge"[15]。
In 1949, the People's Liberation ArmyPingjin CampaignChina defeated the Kuomintang army and liberated Tianjin. Wanguo Bridge was later renamed as "Jiefang Bridge"[4]。
Commemorative postage
On August 8, 2015, China Post released the regular postage film Tianjin Jiefang BridgeTianjin Academy of Fine ArtsVice PresidentGuo ZhenshanDesign.The postage map adopts the realistic technique to vividly show the grand scene of understanding the opening of the bridge[22]。
Commemorative postage
Value significance
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Jiefang Bridge, an all steel structure openable bridge, has stood on the Haihe River for nearly a century.Every major holiday, Jiefang Bridge "Dress Up" opens to beautify Tianjin, which has become a unique city card[26]。（XinhuaComment)
As a century old bridge, Jiefang Bridge connects the past and the present, and is also the emotional bond between Tianjin citizens and the city[23]。（China DailyComment)
After more than one hundred years of wind and rain, Jiefang Bridge has witnessed the changes of Tianjin, a city with a unique history, for more than one hundred years. Until now, it still carries a stream of vehicles[1]。（Jin YunNews review)
