Image of the week
Crane gallery framed out
16 Dec 2019
It took only nine days to install the structural modules that top the frame of the crane gallery. As one year ends and another begins, the construction teams will turn to cladding.
In planning the five consecutive lift operations, the European contractors* in charge of the operation had to work around wind and rain, as well as other construction activities in the immediate vicinity. Two massive crawler cranes were required, with booms extending over 100 metres and lift capacities of 600 and 650 tonnes respectively.
The complete roof structure—20 tall pillars and roof modules included—weighs approximately 2,000 tonnes. Once covered over with steel and metal cladding, the crane hall will look exactly like the Assembly Hall. Once the temporary wall between the two buildings is removed, the overhead cranes will travel back and forth through undivided space, as they deliver machine components to the Tokamak pit. Activity is underway now to create the necessary connections between the different segments of rail.
*The lifting and berthing operation was performed under the responsibility of the European Domestic Agency Fusion for Energy. It was coordinated by architect-engineer Engage and implemented by contractors VFR (overall responsibility and coordination), Martifer (manufacturing and installation of the steel structure) and Vernazza (lifting operations).