Xiamen–Shenzhen Railway

Crack control & toughness with Ecocrete™ PAN Fiber

Challenges & Solution

Marine Exposure, Heat, and Tight Tolerances — Managed

Coastal environment: PAN fibers are non-corrosive and resist alkali attack, supporting long-term durability in chloride-rich zones.

Hot, windy pours: PAN’s 3D network limits plastic shrinkage and early thermal micro-cracks in low-w/c, fast-track mixes.

Precision slab track: Added post-crack toughness helps protect arrises around anchors, dowels, and rail seats, reducing spalls and touch-ups.

Pumping & finishing: Fibers disperse quickly, are pump-friendly, and help stabilize the mix for uniform texture and cleaner saw-cuts.

Bullet train departing platform with guidance signage

Night view of high-speed railway station canopy representing the Xiamen–Shenzhen Railway

Ballastless track and platform edges in a coastal HSR corridor

Covered pedestrian/transfer walkway with clean saw-cut concrete

High-speed train in motion beneath illuminated station canopy

Tighter Cracks, Cleaner Joints, Lower Rework

Field teams reported tight crack control under hot-weather placements, crisp joint edges, and reduced repair frequency at fastener pockets and parapet details. Fiber-modified concretes support lower life-cycle maintenance and reliable performance in a marine environment.

Project Overview

Durable Slab Track and Coastal Structures in a Humid, Marine Climate

Running along China’s southeast coastline, the Xiamen–Shenzhen Railway faces high humidity, salt-laden winds, and frequent rainfall. To reduce plastic-shrinkage and early thermal cracking in ballastless track slabs, bridge decks, tunnel linings, and station platforms, contractors adopted Ecocrete™ Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) Fiber. The high-modulus PAN micro-fibers distribute uniformly to bridge micro-cracks, improve post-crack toughness, and support clean surface finish and joint integrity.

Application: ballastless track base slabs, bridge decks/parapets, tunnel lining shotcrete, platform toppings
Fiber type: Ecocrete™ PAN Fiber (typical lengths 6–12 mm)
Typical dosage: 0.6–1.5 kg/m³ (optimize per mix design, climate, and placement)
Benefits: restrained crack formation, increased toughness, improved edge durability, non-corrosive & alkali-resistant