Architectural Innovation in Beijing’s Hutongs

• Posted by Mavis Chai Mon at 2:55 AM Filed in Technology #small concrete trailer pump  #small concrete pumps  #urban renewal projects  30 views
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  How Small Concrete Pumps Solve Urban Renewal Challenges

  Deep within a narrow Hutong (traditional alleyway) in Beijing’s Dongcheng District, only 3 meter wide, the renovation of a century-old courtyard house encountered a daunting challenge: how to reinforce the building’s foundation with modern concrete without damaging its historical character?

  Project Challenges

  This courtyard house, designated as a protected site, required foundation reinforcement and partial structural repairs. Traditional large concrete pump trucks were simply unable to navigate the narrow alley, while manual concrete transport was inefficient and of questionable quality. The construction team initially considered using handcarts, but calculations revealed that transporting just 30 cubic meters of concrete would require at least 200 trips, and the Hutong’s numerous bends and high thresholds made practical implementation nearly impossible.

   

  Solution: Miniature Concrete Pump Takes Center Stage

  The project team ultimately selected an HBT30 miniature concrete pump. This equipment has three key advantages:

  Extremely Adaptable to Space

  - The entire machine measures only 3.8×1.5 meters, allowing it to be towed to the entrance of an alleyway by a small tractor.

  - When deployed, it occupied less than 6 square meters of space, requiring only the size of a parking space.

  - The delivery pipeline has a diameter of only 125mm, allowing for temporary installation alone alleyway walls.

   

  Precise Delivery Capacity

  - Maximum horizontal delivery distance of 400 meters, sufficient to cover the entire construction area.

  - Vertical delivery height of 60 meters, fully meeting the pouring needs of a single-story courtyard.

  - Pumping pressure up to 8 MPa, ensuring that concrete does not clog complex pipelines.

   

  High Operational Flexibility

  - Installation and operation can be completed by 3 people.

  - Theoretical delivery capacity of 15-20 cubic meters per hour more than 20 times that of manual handling.

  - Adaptable to concrete strength grades from C15 to C50.

   

  Implementation Process

  Every morning at 6:00 AM, concrete mixer trucks deliver premixed concrete to a temporary transfer point at the alley entrance. From there, a small trailer pump takes over, precisely delivering the concrete to three work sites, within the courtyard via a winding pipeline.

  The most technically challenging part was the foundation reinforcement of the west wing- the pouring location was behind the main building, requiring the concrete to navigate three bends and pass through a moon gate. The operators, by adjusting the pump pressure and speed, and precisely controlling the concrete slump, achieved precise pouring, hitting exactly where they wanted.

   

  Performance Comparison

  Comparison Items	Traditional Manual Handling	Small Pump Construction
  Daily Completion Volume	5-8 cubic meters	30-40 cubic meters
  Required Personnel	12-15 people	5 people (including operators)
  Construction Period	Estimated 25 days	Actual completion in 8 days
  Site Cleanliness	Severe spillage along the way	Minimal pollution
  Impact on Residents	24/7 disruption	Only 6 hours of daytime work

   

  Wider Range of Applications

  This case study reveals the unique value of mini trailer pumps in specific scenarios:

  • Historic District Preservation

  In the protective restoration of Shanghai’s Shikumen houses and Suzhou gardens, mini trailer pumps have also proven their value-meeting modern construction needs while minimizing disruption to the historical environment.

  • Rural Construction

  In rural areas with narrow roads, mini trailer pumps become an ideal choice for self-built houses and small public facilities construction, reducing reliance on large equipment in rural development.

  • Interior Renovation

  In interior reinforcement projects for shopping malls and factories, mini trailer pumps can be used to pour concrete through windows or pre-drilled holes, avoiding damage to the original structure.

   

  Technological Insights

  The success of this case lies not only in the equipment itself, but also in the systematic solution.

  1. The concrete mix design was optimized for long-distance, small-diameter pipe transport.

  2. The pipeline layout made full use of the existing structure of the alley, reducing temporary supports.

  3. Construction time was strictly controlled within the resident’ acceptable range.

   

  Project manager Mr. Li summarized:” Choosing a small trailer pump was not a compromise, but the optimal solution under specific conditions. It allowed us to find a balance between preservation and renewal.”

   

  Now, this small trailer pump has been moved to its next alley renovation project. With its low, steady operation, the old city retains its historical texture while being infused with modern safety and stability. This “ minimally invasive” construction method is becoming an increasing important technological choice in urban renewal, proving that innovation does not necessary mean “high-end”. Sometimes, small size and beautiful figure can solve big problems.