The 7,500-ton shikumen architectural complex Huayanli, located within Zhangyuan in Shanghai's Jing'an district, returned to its original location. The process involved 432 small walking robots, moving at an average pace of 10 meters per day.
Called the Huayanli complex, the collection of buildings was built in the 1920s–1930s and are part of the Zhangyuan area, which itself is over 140 years old. The complex also features architecture that combines Western and Chinese elements.
Consisting of a set of traditional shikumen-style buildings, the complex is was moved out of the way to allow for the construction of a three-story underground structure beneath it. This comprises the development of new 173,885 square feet (53,000 square meters) of cultural and commercial zones, a parking facility with over 100 spaces, and a transport hub connecting Metro Lines 2, 12, and 13 in the city.
The move is temporary and the complex will be returned to its original location once the underground construction work is complete. But how is this all being achieved?
Touted as China’s largest relocation project of its kind in terms of size, weight, and complexity, the task at hand necessitated a novel solution owing to the tight layout of Zhangyuan. The area is peppered with narrow alleys and densely-packed old buildings, making traditional construction tools unusable.
Addressing these challenges, the project utilized drilling robots for foundation work, which can navigate through tight corridors and doorways. Special earth-moving robots with folding arms, which can operate in spaces as narrow as 3.93 feet (1.2 meters) wide, were also deployed.
According to reports, deep learning AI helped these machines distinguish between clay and solid obstacles. Engineers used building information modeling (BIM) and point cloud scanning to create highly detailed 3D models of the buildings and site.
These models enabled the engineers to identify collision risks, plan precise movement routes, and design curved soil transport paths. A conveyor-belt system was also installed to remove soil efficiently, much like a factory line, reducing disruption. Once the underground construction is finished, the Huayanli complex will be moved back to its original location.
