FDCT Promotes Industry-Academia-Research Collaboration: Successful Completion of the World’s First Nano Foam Concrete Shield Tunneling Grouting Solution
06/07/2026
06/07/2026
The research project “Lightweight anti-floating design and durability study of shield synchronous grouting materials for tunnel construction in the northern section of Macau Light Rail East Line” funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund (hereinafter referred to as “FDCT”), was jointly conducted by the research team of Prof. Sun Guoxing of the University of Macau, China Civil Engineering Construction (Macao) Co., Limited, and China Railway 16th Bureau Group Co., Limited – Macau Representative Office. The project has completed its in-shaft trial section at the EAP shaft of the northern section tunnel of the Macao Light Rapid Transit (hereinafter referred to as “LRT”) East Line, thereby successfully implementing the world’s first nano foam concrete grouting solution for shield tunneling.
Achieving tunnel anti-buoyancy performance and significantly reducing grouting costs
The research results are based on the world’s first commercial nanoparticle-stabilized foam concrete developed by a research team at the University of Macau. The material reduces weight and lowers material costs by 40% at the same strength level and has already been used in major local projects such as the Macao Bridge. In this trial section at the EAP shaft of the northern section of the LRT East Line, nano foam concrete was used for synchronous shield tunneling grouting. The solution successfully addressed, at the source, the industry challenge of tunnel segment uplift caused by conventional high-density grouting materials. While meeting the strength requirements for grouting, the solution reduced segment buoyancy by 73.6%, achieved “zero uplift” of the tunnel, and lowered grouting costs by 44.8%, substantially enhancing the safety of the tunnel structure.
In recent years, the technology has been applied in several local construction projects, including the Hengqin Port between Zhuhai and Macao, the Macao Bridge, the Public Facilities Building in Zone A of the Macao New Urban Zone, and the flyover at the Amizade roundabout. It has also been promoted and applied in more than 20 construction projects across the country under different environmental conditions. Going forward, this patented technology will be applied to various types of tunnel and metro projects, with the aim of expanding its use from Macao to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and across the country.
According to estimates by the relevant entities, if the technology is applied to the Nansha to Zhuhai (Zhongshan) Intercity Railway tunnel in 2027, it will help achieve tunnel anti-buoyancy performance while reducing grouting material costs by approximately RMB 50 million, equivalent to savings of RMB 2.683 million per kilometer.
Innovative materials technology supporting Macao’s appropriate economic diversification
To promote the alignment of scientific research results with industrial needs, the FDCT invited representatives from the Public Works Bureau (DSOP), the Institute for the Development and Quality, Macau (IDQ), the Civil Engineering Laboratory of Macau (LECM), Macau Urban Renewal Limited, Macao Light Rapid Transit Corporation, Limited, the Association of Macau Engineering Consultant Companies, the Macao Association of Building Contractors and Developers, the Macau Construction Association, the Macau Construction Machinery Engineering Association, and the University of Macau to visit the in-shaft trial section at the construction site on July 3. The visit allowed participants to verify on-site the core performance indicators of the new material, including its anti-buoyancy effect and grouting density, and enhanced the industry’s understanding of the technology’s characteristics and engineering application conditions.
A representative of the engineering implementation team stated that the team hopes to further promote the application of the technology in the future, in order to address the industry challenge in Macao of tunnel segment uplift caused by conventional high-density grouting materials. The project will also provide support for subsequent technological optimization, standard-setting, scaled application in local engineering projects, and nationwide promotion.
The FDCT will continue to support scientific research projects with marketization prospects and engineering application value, promote in-depth industry-academia-research collaboration, and, through cross-departmental coordination and industry participation, advance the wider application of more innovative technologies in local engineering and infrastructure projects. These efforts will create economic and social benefits and provide solid technological support for Macao’s appropriate economic diversification.
Achieving tunnel anti-buoyancy performance and significantly reducing grouting costs
The research results are based on the world’s first commercial nanoparticle-stabilized foam concrete developed by a research team at the University of Macau. The material reduces weight and lowers material costs by 40% at the same strength level and has already been used in major local projects such as the Macao Bridge. In this trial section at the EAP shaft of the northern section of the LRT East Line, nano foam concrete was used for synchronous shield tunneling grouting. The solution successfully addressed, at the source, the industry challenge of tunnel segment uplift caused by conventional high-density grouting materials. While meeting the strength requirements for grouting, the solution reduced segment buoyancy by 73.6%, achieved “zero uplift” of the tunnel, and lowered grouting costs by 44.8%, substantially enhancing the safety of the tunnel structure.
In recent years, the technology has been applied in several local construction projects, including the Hengqin Port between Zhuhai and Macao, the Macao Bridge, the Public Facilities Building in Zone A of the Macao New Urban Zone, and the flyover at the Amizade roundabout. It has also been promoted and applied in more than 20 construction projects across the country under different environmental conditions. Going forward, this patented technology will be applied to various types of tunnel and metro projects, with the aim of expanding its use from Macao to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and across the country.
According to estimates by the relevant entities, if the technology is applied to the Nansha to Zhuhai (Zhongshan) Intercity Railway tunnel in 2027, it will help achieve tunnel anti-buoyancy performance while reducing grouting material costs by approximately RMB 50 million, equivalent to savings of RMB 2.683 million per kilometer.
Innovative materials technology supporting Macao’s appropriate economic diversification
To promote the alignment of scientific research results with industrial needs, the FDCT invited representatives from the Public Works Bureau (DSOP), the Institute for the Development and Quality, Macau (IDQ), the Civil Engineering Laboratory of Macau (LECM), Macau Urban Renewal Limited, Macao Light Rapid Transit Corporation, Limited, the Association of Macau Engineering Consultant Companies, the Macao Association of Building Contractors and Developers, the Macau Construction Association, the Macau Construction Machinery Engineering Association, and the University of Macau to visit the in-shaft trial section at the construction site on July 3. The visit allowed participants to verify on-site the core performance indicators of the new material, including its anti-buoyancy effect and grouting density, and enhanced the industry’s understanding of the technology’s characteristics and engineering application conditions.
A representative of the engineering implementation team stated that the team hopes to further promote the application of the technology in the future, in order to address the industry challenge in Macao of tunnel segment uplift caused by conventional high-density grouting materials. The project will also provide support for subsequent technological optimization, standard-setting, scaled application in local engineering projects, and nationwide promotion.
The FDCT will continue to support scientific research projects with marketization prospects and engineering application value, promote in-depth industry-academia-research collaboration, and, through cross-departmental coordination and industry participation, advance the wider application of more innovative technologies in local engineering and infrastructure projects. These efforts will create economic and social benefits and provide solid technological support for Macao’s appropriate economic diversification.
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Office hours: Monday to Thursday: 9:00-13:00, 14:30-17:45；Friday: 9:00-13:00, 14:30-17:30；Tel.: 28788777
Copyright(C) 2021 ALL right reserved.