Chernobyl New Safe Confinement - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:34, 24 November 2020

2020-11-24T07:34:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:34, 24 November 2020
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	* Shell roof.		* Shell roof.

−	[[Category:~~International~~]] [[Category:~~Projects_and_case_studies~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Project_Knowledge~~]] [[Category:~~Research_/_Innovation~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation~~]]	+	[[Category:DCN_News]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]

Designing Buildings at 17:26, 21 November 2016

2016-11-21T17:26:17Z

Designing Buildings at 17:21, 21 November 2016

2016-11-21T17:21:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:21, 21 November 2016
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−	[[File:Chernobyl5.jpg]]	+	[[File:Chernobyl5.jpg\|link=File:Chernobyl5.jpg]]

	(Image courtesy of Novarka)		(Image courtesy of Novarka)
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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	The Chernobyl disaster of 26 April 1986 ~~was the deadliest nuclear accident in history, and occurred in Chernobyl, Ukraine~~, when power plant reactor No.4 exploded.	+	The Chernobyl disaster of 26 April 1986, when power plant reactor No.4 exploded, was the deadliest nuclear accident in history.

	The explosion expelled the equivalent of 100 times the combined radiation of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The westerly winds propelled the fallout across mainland Europe and into Sweden, Italy, Germany, the South of France, and even Great Britain.		The explosion expelled the equivalent of 100 times the combined radiation of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The westerly winds propelled the fallout across mainland Europe and into Sweden, Italy, Germany, the South of France, and even Great Britain.

−	Just over thirty years on, in November 2016, the long-awaited structure known as ~~the~~ New Safe Confinement (NSC) was ~~finally completed and, over the course of five days,~~ moved into position in what has been described as a ‘historic engineering achievement’.	+	Just over thirty years on, in November 2016, the long-awaited structure known as 'New Safe Confinement' (NSC) was moved into position in what has been described as a ‘historic engineering achievement’.

−	The arch-shaped NSC is thought to be the largest land-based moving structure in the world. It weighs ~~a total of~~ 36,000-tonnes, and at 108 m in height, 162 m in length, and 257 m span, it is large enough to enclose the Statue of Liberty or the footprint of the Eiffel Tower. The NSC is intended to contain the nuclear reactor and the radioactive remains for the next 100 years.	+	The arch-shaped NSC is thought to be the largest land-based moving structure in the world. It weighs 36,000-tonnes, and at 108 m in height, 162 m in length, and 257 m span, is large enough to enclose the Statue of Liberty or the footprint of the Eiffel Tower. The NSC is intended to contain the nuclear reactor and the radioactive remains for the next 100 years.

−	The NSC is the major part of the Shelter Implementation Plan~~. This~~ is being undertaken by Novarka, a 50/50 joint venture ~~comprising~~ Vinci Construction and Bouygues Travaux Publics. ~~Full completion~~ is expected by the end of 2017, at an estimated final cost of €2.15 billion (of which, the NSC accounts for €1.5 billion).	+	The NSC is the major part of the Shelter Implementation Plan which is being undertaken by Novarka, a 50/50 joint venture between Vinci Construction and Bouygues Travaux Publics. Completion is expected by the end of 2017, at an estimated final cost of €2.15 billion (of which, the NSC accounts for €1.5 billion).

	= Existing structure =		= Existing structure =

−	[[File:Chernobyl1.jpg]]	+	[[File:Chernobyl1.jpg\|link=File:Chernobyl1.jpg]]

	(Sarcophagus. Photograph by Michael Brooks)		(Sarcophagus. Photograph by Michael Brooks)
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	To contain the fallout immediately after the disaster, the Soviet Union mobilised an estimated 500,000 workers to build the Shelter Object, or sarcophagus, which enclosed the ruins of the nuclear reactor.		To contain the fallout immediately after the disaster, the Soviet Union mobilised an estimated 500,000 workers to build the Shelter Object, or sarcophagus, which enclosed the ruins of the nuclear reactor.

−	The sarcophagus consisted of more than 7,700 tonnes of metal and 400,000 cubic metres of concrete, but it was only intended as a temporary solution, and over the decades, it has been falling into ~~dangerous~~ disrepair.	+	The sarcophagus consisted of more than 7,700 tonnes of metal and 400,000 cubic metres of concrete, but it was only intended as a temporary solution, and over the decades, it has been falling into disrepair.

−	The NSC is designed to stabilise and secure the reactor ruins as well as the sarcophagus. The intention is for the sarcophagus to be protected from weather damage and enable work to begin on deconstructing the reactor.	+	The NSC is designed to stabilise and secure the reactor ruins as well as the sarcophagus. The intention is for the sarcophagus to be protected from weather damage and to enable work to begin on deconstructing the reactor.

	= Design =		= Design =

−	In 1992, the Ukrainian government held an international competition for design concepts ~~of how~~ to replace the sarcophagus. The British firm Design Group Partnership were the only one of 394 entries to propose a sliding arch. While the submission did not win, it ~~subsequently came to be~~ largely adopted as the design solution.	+	In 1992, the Ukrainian government held an international competition for design concepts to replace the sarcophagus. The British firm Design Group Partnership were the only one of 394 entries to propose a sliding arch. While the submission did not win, it was largely adopted as the design solution.

−	Positioned on two longitudinal concrete beams, the steel lattice ~~arch~~ consists of 13 arches ~~assembled~~ 12.5 m (41 ft) apart to form 12 bays. The ends of the structure are sealed by vertical walls that are assembled around, but not supported by, the existing structures of the reactor.	+	Positioned on two longitudinal concrete beams, the steel lattice structure consists of 13 arches 12.5 m (41 ft) apart to form 12 bays. The ends of the structure are sealed by vertical walls that are assembled around, but not supported by, the existing structures of the reactor.

−	~~Tubular steel members make up the~~ arches~~, externally~~ clad with 86,000 sq. m of three-layer sandwich panels. The inside of each arch is covered in polycarbonate to prevent radioactive particles accumulating on the frame members ~~and~~ causing ~~rusting~~.	+	The arches are clad with 86,000 sq. m of three-layer sandwich panels. The inside of each arch is covered with polycarbonate to prevent radioactive particles accumulating on the frame members, causing them to rust.

−	In the space between the inner and outer skins, dried air will be circulated, while being depressurised to ~~risk~~ dust escaping.	+	In the space between the inner and outer skins, dried air will be circulated, while being depressurised to prevent dust escaping.

	The structure is designed to resist fire and freezing winter temperatures, as well as being able to withstand an earthquake or tornado of up to 206 mph.		The structure is designed to resist fire and freezing winter temperatures, as well as being able to withstand an earthquake or tornado of up to 206 mph.
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	= Construction process =		= Construction process =

−	[[File:Chernobyl2.jpg]]	+	[[File:Chernobyl2.jpg\|link=File:Chernobyl2.jpg]]

	(Photograph by Michael Brooks)		(Photograph by Michael Brooks)
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	* Overhead bridge cranes are fixed to the arch for the purposes of dismantling the existing sarcophagus and reactor ruins.		* Overhead bridge cranes are fixed to the arch for the purposes of dismantling the existing sarcophagus and reactor ruins.

−	[[File:Chernobyl3.jpg]](Photograph courtesy of Novarka.)	+	[[File:Chernobyl3.jpg\|link=File:Chernobyl3.jpg]](Photograph courtesy of Novarka.)

	=== Sliding into position ===		=== Sliding into position ===
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	Once in position, the side walls will be connected to the existing structures, isolating the damaged reactor permanently.		Once in position, the side walls will be connected to the existing structures, isolating the damaged reactor permanently.

−	[[File:Chernobyl4.jpg]]	+	[[File:Chernobyl4.jpg\|link=File:Chernobyl4.jpg]]

	(Photograph courtesy of Novarka.)		(Photograph courtesy of Novarka.)

Editor: Created page with "File:Chernobyl5.jpg (Image courtesy of Novarka) = Introduction = The Chernobyl disaster of 26 April 1986 was the deadliest nuclear accident in history, and occurred in Che..."

2016-11-21T16:14:09Z

Created page with "File:Chernobyl5.jpg (Image courtesy of Novarka) = Introduction = The Chernobyl disaster of 26 April 1986 was the deadliest nuclear accident in history, and occurred in Che..."

New page

[[File:Chernobyl5.jpg]]

(Image courtesy of Novarka)

= Introduction =

The Chernobyl disaster of 26 April 1986 was the deadliest nuclear accident in history, and occurred in Chernobyl, Ukraine, when power plant reactor No.4 exploded.

The explosion expelled the equivalent of 100 times the combined radiation of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The westerly winds propelled the fallout across mainland Europe and into Sweden, Italy, Germany, the South of France, and even Great Britain.

Just over thirty years on, in November 2016, the long-awaited structure known as the New Safe Confinement (NSC) was finally completed and, over the course of five days, moved into position in what has been described as a ‘historic engineering achievement’.

The arch-shaped NSC is thought to be the largest land-based moving structure in the world. It weighs a total of 36,000-tonnes, and at 108 m in height, 162 m in length, and 257 m span, it is large enough to enclose the Statue of Liberty or the footprint of the Eiffel Tower. The NSC is intended to contain the nuclear reactor and the radioactive remains for the next 100 years.

The NSC is the major part of the Shelter Implementation Plan. This is being undertaken by Novarka, a 50/50 joint venture comprising Vinci Construction and Bouygues Travaux Publics. Full completion is expected by the end of 2017, at an estimated final cost of €2.15 billion (of which, the NSC accounts for €1.5 billion).

= Existing structure =

[[File:Chernobyl1.jpg]]

(Sarcophagus. Photograph by Michael Brooks)

To contain the fallout immediately after the disaster, the Soviet Union mobilised an estimated 500,000 workers to build the Shelter Object, or sarcophagus, which enclosed the ruins of the nuclear reactor.

The sarcophagus consisted of more than 7,700 tonnes of metal and 400,000 cubic metres of concrete, but it was only intended as a temporary solution, and over the decades, it has been falling into dangerous disrepair.

The NSC is designed to stabilise and secure the reactor ruins as well as the sarcophagus. The intention is for the sarcophagus to be protected from weather damage and enable work to begin on deconstructing the reactor.

= Design =

In 1992, the Ukrainian government held an international competition for design concepts of how to replace the sarcophagus. The British firm Design Group Partnership were the only one of 394 entries to propose a sliding arch. While the submission did not win, it subsequently came to be largely adopted as the design solution.

Positioned on two longitudinal concrete beams, the steel lattice arch consists of 13 arches assembled 12.5 m (41 ft) apart to form 12 bays. The ends of the structure are sealed by vertical walls that are assembled around, but not supported by, the existing structures of the reactor.

Tubular steel members make up the arches, externally clad with 86,000 sq. m of three-layer sandwich panels. The inside of each arch is covered in polycarbonate to prevent radioactive particles accumulating on the frame members and causing rusting.

In the space between the inner and outer skins, dried air will be circulated, while being depressurised to risk dust escaping.

The structure is designed to resist fire and freezing winter temperatures, as well as being able to withstand an earthquake or tornado of up to 206 mph.

= Construction process =

[[File:Chernobyl2.jpg]]

(Photograph by Michael Brooks)

The arch was assembled 180 m (590 ft) from the damaged reactor and slid into place above the existing sarcophagus using rail tracks mounted on the concrete foundation.

During the peak period, 1,200 Ukrainian operatives were on site, with 60 dedicated radio-protection professionals. The radiation and atmospheric pollution is constantly monitored, and all workers fitted with appropriate PPE and two dosimeters.

The construction process followed these stages:

* Stabilisation of the sarcophagus to prevent collapse; cleaning and clearing the assembly area.
* Two wide trenches excavated on either side of the reactor for the longitudinal beams to serve as arch foundations.
* Solid blocks built in the centre to support the towers required for lifting and assembly of the NSC.
* Metal piles of 1 m diameter were driven to an average depth of 25 m in the trenches.
* Construction of the first half of the arch began with preassembly of the upper section. Bracing was used to interconnect the segments before fitting the cladding on the central section.
* Secondary arch elements were connected to the central section using a hinge system.
* The towers were used to lift the arch and remaining components added to the lower sections and feet.
* Pushing equipment installed to slide the completed first-half into the holding area.
* The second half of the arch was assembled in the same way.
* The two halves were connected together, and bracing and metal cladding connections completed.
* Overhead bridge cranes are fixed to the arch for the purposes of dismantling the existing sarcophagus and reactor ruins.

[[File:Chernobyl3.jpg]](Photograph courtesy of Novarka.)

=== Sliding into position ===

After the finishing works and testing were completed, the NSC was then moved into position. The sliding was achieved with the help of a special skidding system consisting of 224 hydraulic jacks that pushed the arch at a rate of 60 cm each stroke. The process took a total of five days.

Once in position, the side walls will be connected to the existing structures, isolating the damaged reactor permanently.

[[File:Chernobyl4.jpg]]

(Photograph courtesy of Novarka.)

= Solar plant =

Also in November 2016, it was announced that the Chinese clean energy company Golden Concord Holdings Ltd (GCL) will build a 1GW solar photovoltaic power plant in the 30 km ‘Exclusion Zone’ around the nuclear plant.

The general contractor for the project will be the state-owned China National Complete Engineering Corporation (CCEC). Construction is scheduled to begin in 2017.

Mr. Shu Hua, Chairman of GCL said: “There will be remarkable social benefits and economical ones as we try to renovate the once damaged area with green and renewable energy. We are glad that we are making joint efforts with Ukraine to rebuild the community for the local people.”

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

* Future proofing construction.
* Hinkley Point nuclear agreement.
* Long span roof.
* Managing and responding to disaster.
* Megastructure.
* Owen Hatherley - Landscapes of Communism.
* Shell roof.

[[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:26, 21 November 2016
Line 37:		Line 37:
	In the space between the inner and outer skins, dried air will be circulated, while being depressurised to prevent dust escaping.		In the space between the inner and outer skins, dried air will be circulated, while being depressurised to prevent dust escaping.

−	The structure is designed to resist fire and freezing winter temperatures, as well as being able to withstand an earthquake or tornado of ~~up to 206~~ mph.	+	The structure is designed to resist fire and freezing winter temperatures, as well as being able to withstand an earthquake or tornado of more than 200 mph.

	= Construction process =		= Construction process =
Line 47:		Line 47:
	The arch was assembled 180 m (590 ft) from the damaged reactor and slid into place above the existing sarcophagus using rail tracks mounted on the concrete foundation.		The arch was assembled 180 m (590 ft) from the damaged reactor and slid into place above the existing sarcophagus using rail tracks mounted on the concrete foundation.

−	During the peak period, 1,200 Ukrainian operatives were on site, with 60 dedicated radio-protection professionals. The radiation and atmospheric pollution is constantly monitored, and all workers fitted with appropriate PPE and two dosimeters.	+	During the peak construction period, 1,200 Ukrainian operatives were on site, with 60 dedicated radio-protection professionals. The radiation and atmospheric pollution was constantly monitored, and all workers fitted with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and two dosimeters.

−	The construction process ~~followed these stages~~:	+	The construction process was broadly as follows:

	* Stabilisation of the sarcophagus to prevent collapse; cleaning and clearing the assembly area.		* Stabilisation of the sarcophagus to prevent collapse; cleaning and clearing the assembly area.
Line 58:		Line 58:
	* Secondary arch elements were connected to the central section using a hinge system.		* Secondary arch elements were connected to the central section using a hinge system.
	* The towers were used to lift the arch and remaining components added to the lower sections and feet.		* The towers were used to lift the arch and remaining components added to the lower sections and feet.
−	* Pushing equipment installed to slide the completed first-half into the holding area.	+	* Pushing equipment was installed to slide the completed first-half into the holding area.
	* The second half of the arch was assembled in the same way.		* The second half of the arch was assembled in the same way.
	* The two halves were connected together, and bracing and metal cladding connections completed.		* The two halves were connected together, and bracing and metal cladding connections completed.
−	* Overhead bridge cranes ~~are~~ fixed to the arch for ~~the purposes of~~ dismantling the existing sarcophagus and reactor ruins.	+	* Overhead bridge cranes were fixed to the arch for dismantling the existing sarcophagus and reactor ruins.

	[[File:Chernobyl3.jpg\|link=File:Chernobyl3.jpg]](Photograph courtesy of Novarka.)		[[File:Chernobyl3.jpg\|link=File:Chernobyl3.jpg]](Photograph courtesy of Novarka.)
Line 67:		Line 67:
	=== Sliding into position ===		=== Sliding into position ===

−	After ~~the finishing works and~~ testing ~~were~~ completed, the NSC was ~~then~~ moved into position. The sliding was achieved with the help of a special skidding system consisting of 224 hydraulic jacks that pushed the arch at a rate of 60 cm each stroke. The process took ~~a total of~~ five days.	+	After testing was completed, the NSC was moved into position. The sliding was achieved with the help of a special skidding system consisting of 224 hydraulic jacks that pushed the arch at a rate of 60 cm each stroke. The process took five days.

	Once in position, the side walls will be connected to the existing structures, isolating the damaged reactor permanently.		Once in position, the side walls will be connected to the existing structures, isolating the damaged reactor permanently.
Line 95:		Line 95:
	* Shell roof.		* Shell roof.

−	[[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]	+	[[Category:International]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]]