Referred to as one of the biggest projects which gives evidence of the technological advancement of the People’s Republic of China. The Archimede’s Bridge (Ponte di Archimede) in the Jintang Straits, (Zhoushan Archipelagos), south of Shanghai, 3200 meters long, represents a model of scientific cooperation between Italy and China. The feasibility study of the structure unites two among the best scientific institution of both countries: the Chinese Academy of Science and the Polytechnic of Milan.
An intercontinental video-conference organized by ATENA (the Italian Association of Ship Technology) – Roman Department– and the Sea Federation, connected the seats of Rome (in the hall Sala della Clemenza of the Italian Banking Association, to Beijing (Italian Embassy – Istituto di Cultura), Shanghai and Brussels(Representative of INPDAP). In an exchange of views important scientists and institutional representatives of the two nations, among which the Vice-Minister of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Professor Ma Songde, attended the conference. Erich Kusch, Vice-President of the Italian Foreign Press Association coordinated the whole video-conference.
The speakers took turns underlining several positive aspects of the innovative technology of the submerged floating tunnel. This has revolutionized some engineering concepts which have always been applied to the usual bridge design between seashores. In fact basing ourselves on the hydrodynamic Archimede’s principles, the new technology considers overtaking sheets of water, not like an obstacle, but like a propitious elements, in which it’s possible to place a submerged bridge strongly moored to the seabed. Furthermore a water piping system can be placed inside the submerged bridge able to supply potable water to Sicily from Italy. Considering the Zhoushan Archipelagos case, where a Archimede’s bridge is being planned, such project contributes - as Paolo Bertacchi stated – to a agricultural and economic development of the 88 inhabited islands, currently lacking water.
Italy would like to give its technological contribution to the economy of the People’s Republic of China. A role recognized by the Scientific Advisor of the Chinese Embassy in Rome, Han Jun: the Archimedes’ bridge design has already been included in the Scientific and Technological Cooperation Protocol, signed 2 years ago in Beijing. The evolution of the project together with the use of the underwater structure as an aqueduct, is examined in the following protocol, signed in Rome last 14 November.
Professor Antonio Fiorentino, project manager, of the Federico II University, while reporting about last year’s joint research carried out with Chinese scientists, pointed out that at first the Chinese authorities had predicted and designed a bridge which would have crosses the Jintang Straits; a project that then has been put aside in order to give preference to the “Archimedes’ Bridge”.
All the experience done in China should produce many new opportunities: Professor Federico Perotti , of Milan’s Polytechnic illustrated how the “ Archimedes’ Bridge” model can also be applied for the crossing of lakes. The same Polytechnic took it into consideration as a possible “case study” , fit to be proposed as a research project to the European Commission; the Mechanics Institute of the Chinese Academy of Science is among one of the most influential partners of this research. Also Universities, institutes and companies from Belgium, France, Norway, Spain and Switzerland will be participating. “Our technology – Ludovico Fulci, Vice-President of “Ponte di Archimede" Company stated - is one of the few technologically valid proposals on a scientific and technology level, in the huge infrastructure field, which Italy has launched world-wide obtaining the European Commission’s recognition and support.”
Professor Giulio Ballio Chancellor of Milan’s Polytechnic, briefly, has laid emphasis on how the research project involving “Archimedes’ Bridge Model", in it’s whole, should present a lot of extremely positive aspects: Innovation , because it’s difficult to suggest new solutions in civil infrastructure and practically, at the same time put them into effect; Transversal-wise , because it engages a lot of engineering branches , in the scientific sphere, integrating experimental physics to numeric analysis.
During the course of the connections with Beijing, important participants appeared, like Prof. Ma Songde, Vice-Minister for Science and Technology ,of the People’s Republic of China; Italy’s Ambassador, Paolo Bruni; Doctor Stefano Zirilli, scientific adviser of the Italian Embassy in Beijing; Prof. Yin Jun, Director of the International Cooperation Department for the Science and Technology Ministry of the People’s Republic of China; Prof.Hong Youshi, Director of the Department of Meccanics of the Chinese Academy for Science.
From Shangai the following participated; Mr. Carlos Addis, Director of the local office of the National Department for Foreign Affairs; Prof. Li Yongsheng, Assistant Chancellor of the Tongji University and Prof. Dong Zhiyong of the Zhejiang University for Technology.
In the end, from Brussels Engineer Bernd Thamm from the Administrative Department of Transportation of the European Commission, took part in the video-conference.
Conclusions were drawn by Prof. Federico Mazzolani of Federico II’s University of Naples and Chairman of the Structural Eurocode Committee; following by an investigation panel, attended by reporters; Yuan Jinlin of the New China Agency; Shan Dehai of Radio China International; Enzo Cirillo of La Repubblica (Italian Newspaper), Loris Gai of TG1 Economy (Italian TV Economy News Programme) and Guglielmo Quagliarotti of Il Messaggero, another Italian Newspaper.
|
