Grand Opening of the Immersed Tube Tunnel Branch of China Highway Construction Association Technical Exchange Conference & 2026 9th International Symposium on Traffic Transportation and Civil Architecture

Group Photo of the Conference

On April 19, 2025, the 2025 8th International Symposium on Traffic Transportation and Civil Architecture (ISTTCA 2025)

From April 10 to 12, 2026, the Immersed Tube Tunnel Branch of China Highway Construction Association Technical Exchange Conference & 2026 9th International Symposium on Traffic Transportation and Civil Architecture (ITT CHCA TEC & ISTTCA 2026) was grandly held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Dalian.

The conference was jointly organized by the China Highway Construction Association, the Waterborne Transportation Professional Committee of China Institute of Navigation, and the Tianjin Society of Water Transport Engineering. It was co-hosted by CCCC First Harbor Engineering Co., Ltd., CCCC Guangzhou Dredging Co., Ltd., CCCC Fourth Harbor Engineering Investigation and Design Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., Shanghai Tunnel Engineering & Rail Transit Design and Research Institute, Hohai University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Dalian University of Technology, Ocean University of China, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Chongqing University, Xi'an University of Technology, and AEIC Academic Exchange Center. The conference received strong support from Wuhan University, Tianjin University, Southeast University, Chang'an University, Qingdao University of Technology, Wenzhou University, Tianjin Chengjian University, and the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research.

Opening Ceremony: Building Consensus, Discussing Development

Hosted by Weiming Kan 

In his opening remarks, Weiming Kan introduced the leapfrog development of China’s immersed tube tunnel sector from “following” to “leading,” reviewing major breakthroughs achieved in landmark projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, and the Dalian Bay Subsea Tunnel. He noted that, with the approval of the China Highway Construction Industry Association, the Immersed Tube Tunnel Branch was officially established on September 6, 2025, marking the sector’s entry into a new stage of more standardized, efficient, and innovative development.

Leaders’ Remarks

Yi Yang, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Highway Construction Industry Association, highly praised the achievements made in China’s immersed tube tunnel field and put forward three expectations for high-quality industry development.

Hongzhi Zhao, Deputy Director-General of the Dalian Science and Technology Bureau, introduced Dalian’s strong measures in scientific and technological innovation, platform development, and the transformation of research outcomes.

Tianjun Yin, General Manager, reviewed the branch’s accomplishments over the past year since its establishment and stated that the branch would continue to focus on technological innovation, standard development, platform building, and talent cultivation.

Keynote Lecture: Low-Carbon Bio-Building Leading the Future

Lecture by Academician Hanlong Liu

Hanlong Liu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Professor at Chongqing University, delivered a keynote speech titled “Technological Innovation in Low-Carbon Bio-Building.” Centered on China’s dual carbon goals, the frontiers of biotechnology, and the transformation needs of the construction industry, Academician Liu proposed a bio-building philosophy and technical system based on harmony between humanity and nature. He offered a new approach to addressing the high energy consumption and high pollution associated with traditional construction and looked ahead to the broad prospects of bio-building as a discipline.

Plenary Reports: Focusing on Key Technologies and Promoting Engineering Practice

The 14 plenary speakers addressed key technical challenges in immersed tube tunnels and marine engineering. Their presentations covered topics including cold-region construction of the Dalian Bay Subsea Tunnel, marine wave observation and a new “cross-zero wave energy” method, disaster mechanisms and vibration mitigation for harbor resonance, failure probability assessment of high-pile wharf structures, eco-friendly rock fragmentation technologies and equipment, underwater composite foundation treatment, multi-mode underwater robot-assisted segment installation, seismic catastrophe mechanisms in liquefiable sand, stability control of deep soft ground in high cofferdams, dynamic catastrophe of monopile foundations for offshore wind turbines, tunnel safety management and laser-AI video monitoring, underwater blasting compaction mechanisms, key technologies for the floating transport and immersion of large tunnel segments, and a full life-cycle sealing and waterproofing system.

Through these reports, the conference systematically showcased China’s full-chain innovation achievements in this field, from fundamental theories and core technologies to engineering applications.

Oral Presentations: Youth Innovation Driving Interdisciplinary Research and Engineering Exploration

A group photo of some oral presentation speakers was taken

Fifteen young scholars delivered oral presentations on topics including road engineering materials, intelligent bridge diagnosis, tunnel surrounding rock identification, driving behavior analysis, and rock-breaking device development. Their presentations highlighted the latest research findings in areas such as solidification mechanisms, knowledge graphs, bond-slip behavior, grouting materials, freeze-thaw characteristics, and cement modification. These studies provided valuable references for theoretical innovation and engineering practice in transportation and civil construction.

Academic Field Visit: On-Site Exploration of the Dalian Bay Subsea Tunnel

On April 12, the conference organized an academic visit for participants to the Dalian Bay Subsea Tunnel. As the first cross-sea immersed tube tunnel in northern China, the project showcases a number of independently developed innovative technologies. Participants gained first-hand insight into key technical applications in the project’s design and construction, further deepening their understanding of China’s immersed tube tunnel technology.

Significance: Promoting High-Quality Development of the Industry

This conference not only provided a high-level academic exchange platform for China’s immersed tube tunnel and transportation civil engineering sectors, but also injected new momentum into achieving independent and controllable core technologies, domestic equipment localization, and coordinated development across the industrial chain.

The establishment of the branch and the successful holding of this conference mark a new milestone for China’s immersed tube tunnel sector in scientific and technological innovation, standard leadership, and talent development, providing strong support for the development of China as a transportation powerhouse and a maritime powerhouse.