China Railway Shanqiao, in collaboration with Yanshan University, is working on new welding techniques for marine-resistant steel

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Overcoming welding technology challenges to support **offshore engineering**: CRCC Shanqiao, in collaboration with Yanshan University, has worked on developing new welding techniques for steel resistant to marine conditions, and this effort has received provincial-level funding support. Recently, the project titled “Research on Welding Techniques for New Type of Marine-Resistant Q345qDNHY-Ⅰ Steel”, proposed jointly by CRCC Shanqiao and Yanshan University, and carried out with the support of the “Hebei Province Bridge Welding Technology Innovation Center”, was awarded funding under Hebei Province’s 2025 “Central Government-Funded Programs for Local Science and Technology Development”. This provides further impetus for innovation in materials technology used in coastal engineering projects in China. As a new generation of weather-resistant steel plate developed specifically for the high-salt mist and high-humidity environments along China’s coast, this new type of marine-resistant steel not only boasts excellent resistance to corrosion in marine atmospheres, thereby significantly extending the service life of steel structural facilities in such harsh marine conditions, but it also offers advantages in terms of environmental sustainability, as it reduces the reliance on painting and lowers maintenance costs throughout its lifecycle. Xu Xiangjun, chief expert at China Railway Shanqiao, said, “For a long time, there has been a lack of research on the welding properties of this new type of weather-resistant steel, as well as on the corrosion resistance of the welded joints and the welding processes involved. There is also insufficient practical experience in related engineering applications.” To this end, we have taken the Lvyang Bridge as a target and are making every effort to overcome this technical bottleneck. ” During the process of overcoming technical challenges, China Railway Shanqiao focused on the properties of new types of steel and developed innovative welding techniques. Currently, the new type of weather-resistant steel has been successfully applied to the anchorage system of the Lvyang Bridge. Xu Xiangjun said, “During the project preparation phase, we conducted experimental studies on the welding properties of new types of weather-resistant steel as well as suitable welding materials. We also worked together with universities to carry out corrosion resistance tests on the welds of the test specimens.” By optimizing the welding process parameters and precisely controlling the welding heat input, the weld alloying index V is kept within the standard range; this ensures the mechanical properties of the welds while fully meeting the stringent requirements regarding weld corrosion resistance for the Liziyang Bridge. ” This breakthrough was not accidental. As a leader in China’s bridge manufacturing sector, CRCC Shanqiao has been dedicated to the research and development as well as application of green and environmentally friendly materials such as weathering steel. The results of steel plate development and performance evaluation, as well as the research and development of corresponding welding materials and welding processes, carried out by the company in collaboration with steel mills and scientific research institutions, have been widely applied in key projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Beipanjiang Bridge, the Guanting Reservoir Bridge, and the Heihe Bridge. At the same time, the company contributed to the development of standards such as the \"Guide for the Uncoated Use of Weathering Bridge Steel\" and \"Weathering Steel for Highway Bridges.\" It was awarded the \"Ugo Guerrera Prize\" by the International Welding Institute, and its \"Welding Method for Q345qDNH Weathering Steel Used in Bridges\" won the China Patent Gold Award.