Elon Musk’s unsuccessful Hyperloop project is being rebuilt in China. The system, which was previously cancelled due to high costs and insurmountable technical problems, has started to be tested by Chinese engineers.
The Chinese are signing a Hyperloop-like project
The 2-kilometre test line in Shanxi province became operational in July 2024. Instead of the steel tubes proposed by Elon Musk, the system was built with steel-concrete pipes supported by corrugated steel expansion joints.
This new structure ensures that the internal environment is maintained at a pressure level close to vacuum without being affected by external weather conditions. This reduces energy loss and lowers the overall cost of the system. Thanks to this design, Chinese engineers were able to reduce construction costs by 60 per cent.
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The technical infrastructure of the project includes low-carbon grids that minimise eddy currents, which are problematic in current Hyperloop trials. These grids will form the basis of the insulated and durable road tunnel required for capsules that can reach supersonic speeds.
The concrete used in the system developed in China will also be different from traditional structures. Special basalt fibre-reinforced concrete mixtures and glass fibre reinforcements that do not crack at near-vacuum pressure levels were used. These materials significantly reduce the brittleness of the concrete.
Laser-guided sensors and AI-powered magnetic dampers were also deployed on the test line to ensure the safety of the journey. These technologies ensure that the capsule in the tube remains stable on the magnetic rail.
The necessary planning to expand the test line has been finalised. However, a serious investment is required for the system to become a large-scale infrastructure. So what do you think about this subject? You can share your opinions with us in the comments section below.
