Recently, the initial evaluation phase of the 1st National Top Ten Heritage Maintenance Projects Assessment in 2013 has achieved successful completion. According to voting results, 20 projects including cliff reinforcement of Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes conservation and utilization project have obtained approval for the final assessment.
Started from 2008, the cliff reinforcement project in Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes had been completed in 2012 and inspected for acceptance by experts in 2013. A feasibility study, preliminary design plan and construction design have been carried out for this project by Dunhuang Research Institute combined with Lanzhou University. Besides, Technology Service Center of Heritage Reservation in Dunhuang Academy was responsible for the whole construction process and Technology Research Center of Protection Project for Ancient Chinese Murals provided technical support. Over the years, Dunhuang Academy has researched and developed many technical measures including PS anti-weathering technology, PS-F crack grouting technology, reinforcement technology for caves with thin roofs, cliff bolt anchoring technology for sandy grottoes which were all applied to this project. Through the implementation of cliff reinforcement, the efflorescence at the surface of the cliff has been curbed significantly and the stability has been further enhanced. Hence, the falling rocks and gravel from cliff surface of grottoes have also been greatly reduced when it is blowing or raining to prevent top caves with thin roofs from infiltration of atmospheric precipitation, making these paintings inside get well protected.