Provide a faster, more stable and more environmentally friendly guarantee for the railway system
Bolted spherical space frame structures, with their prefabricated components and rapid bolt assembly method, can complete large span construction in an extremely short time. A single span of 60 – 80 m can be achieved without interior columns, leaving the entire maintenance depot space completely open. This unrestricted layout allows trains to enter and exit freely, facilitates the placement of overhead cranes, track installation, and logistical pathways, eliminating the column constraints typical of conventional concrete or reinforced steel structures. On site work mainly involves delivering factory fabricated spherical nodes, steel tubes, and supports, then tightening high strength bolts—essentially a “building blocks” process. The overall construction period is about 60 working days, far faster than the 8 – 12 months required for traditional steel or concrete projects.
In terms of safety, the performance of the spherical nodes is closely linked to bolt tension and installation control. With strict torque specifications and on site verification, load distribution becomes uniform and overall stiffness high. Wind tunnel tests have shown that even under wind speeds of 30 m/s (≈108 km/h) the structure remains stable, capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions. The steel framework itself is lightweight and highly corrosion resistant; when combined with a three layer protective system—hot dip galvanizing, epoxy coating, and polyurethane— it can endure cold, humid, or salty environments with virtually no additional maintenance.
Cost advantages are also significant. For the same load, manufacturing and installing bolted nodes costs roughly 6 % less than conventional welded nodes, while material expenses account for about 75 % of total cost and processing fees only 25 %. Overall, the price is approximately 15 % lower than that of comparable concrete structures. Assuming a construction and operating cost of ¥1,200 per square meter, the facility can achieve a productivity of 120 kg/m², with an investment payback period typically between 3 and 4 years—considerably faster than the 5 – 7 years typical for traditional workshops. Because most components are prefabricated in the factory, on site work is limited to bolt assembly, making the project largely weather independent; even in severe snow conditions the schedule remains unaffected, further reducing labor expenses and site management costs.
From an applicability standpoint, bolted spherical space frames have already proven their reliability in several large scale public facilities, such as the four bay aircraft hangar at Beijing Capital Airport (span 153 m × 90 m) and the 60 m span industrial hall at Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard. These examples demonstrate the system’s capability to meet requirements for large spans, heavy loads, and high structural strength. Transferring the same technology to railway maintenance depots enables a “one stop” arrangement for train entry/exit, crane operations, automated inspection equipment, and supporting power and ventilation systems, thereby improving maintenance efficiency while reducing land usage and long term upkeep costs.
In summary, the rapid assembly, column free large span, structural safety, climate adaptability, and pronounced cost and time saving benefits of bolted spherical space frame structures make them an ideal solution for modern railway maintenance depots. Procurement decision makers need only focus on node corrosion protection, bolt tension quality, and wind load design to achieve a high value, quickly operational facility with a robust return on investment.