China unveils world's largest $50MILLION inflatable dome over construction site – and its use will surprise you

Scottish Sun

a day ago

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
CHINA has unveiled a massive inflatable dome in the middle of a major city to help shield residents from a construction site.
The whopping 50m-high inflatable is reported to be the largest of its kind in the world.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Its design is said to allow for easy inflation and dismantling
Credit: Mao Ning Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson/Facebook
5
A viral video shows the incredible moment the inflatable swallows up the building site
Credit: Mao Ning Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson/Facebook
5
The whopping 50m-high inflatable is reported to be the largest of its kind in the world
Credit: Mao Ning Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson/Facebook
Measuring 20,000 square metres, the dome is designed to protect the surrounding neighbourhoods from dust and noise during construction.
A viral video shows the incredible moment the inflatable swallows up the building site in the city of Jinan.
Viewers can see the dome gradually inflating to its enormous size through a jaw-dropping timelapse.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, revealed the giant dome in a Facebook post on July 2.
The balloon uses negative pressure and air filtration systems to stop construction dust affecting nearby areas, according to Times Now News.
Its design is said to allow for easy inflation and dismantling so it can be deployed where needed quickly.
The dome is made from lightweight PVDF-coated polyester, with four big fans keeping it inflated.
Transparent panels let in natural sunlight, allowing the inside to keep well lit during the day without the need for artificial lighting, the Bridge Chronicle has reported.
But the viral clip has also drawn a lot of attention on TikTok, with many users sharing their reactions to the vast inflatable.
One user jested: "This is really dangerous because if it gets too big it becomes really soft and a giant might see it and come to take a nap."
China's terrifying new giant 'sea monster' war plane pictured for first time - & it's a throwback to Cold War Soviet tech
But another said it is "such a clever way to protect both the environment and the people living nearby".
"How does one even manufacture a single sheet that large?", asked another.
It comes as China continues to face issues with many of its major construction projects.
A giant skyscraper in the city of Tianjin had stood unfinished for nearly a decade before construction was resumed.
5
It would have been the fifth-tallest building in the world if construction was completed
5
The Goldin Finance 117 in Northern China is twice as high as The Shard in London
Goldin Finance 117, nicknamed The Walking Stick due to its architectural shape, had loomed uncompleted over the city for many years.
But work on the £8billion project was halted following the 2015 Chinese stock market crash.
Standing at a staggering 1,959 feet, the Walking Stick is nearly twice as tall as The Shard.
But Chinese state media has since reported the skyscraper will now resume construction.
It will no longer get to claim the title as China's tallest building that had been forecast, however.
Two taller skyscrapers, the Shanghai Tower and Shenzhen's Ping An Finance Centre, have topped out since then.