Chernobyl: An unparalleled project to design and construct a confinement shelter in the form of an arch

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03/24/2016 | News

Chernobyl: An unparalleled project to design and construct a confinement shelter in the form of an arch

  • August 2010: Start on the foundations for the lifting towers. - ®Francis Vigouroux

    August 2010: Start on the foundations for the lifting towers. - ®Francis Vigouroux

  • September 2011: Start on assembly preparatory work

    September 2011: Start on assembly preparatory work

  • April 2012: Delivery of the first arch components on site and start on the frame assembly

    April 2012: Delivery of the first arch components on site and start on the frame assembly

  • October 2012: Assembly continues.

    October 2012: Assembly continues.

  • November 2012: First arch lifting operation

    November 2012: First arch lifting operation. - ®Jean-Yves Govin Sorel

  • June 2013: Second lifting operation.

    June 2013: Second lifting operation.

  • April 2014: First half of the arch pushed to the waiting position (4) and first lifting operation for the second half.

    April 2014: First half of the arch pushed to the waiting position (4) and first lifting operation for the second half.

  • October 2014: Third and final lifting operation for the second half of the arch.

    October 2014: Third and final lifting operation for the second half of the arch.

  • May 2015: Five million accident-free hours worked.

    May 2015: Five million accident-free hours worked.

  • October 2015: Interconnection of the two halves of the arch.

    October 2015: Interconnection of the two halves of the arch.

  • November 2015: Lifting the first overhead bridge cranes inside the arch.

    November 2015: Lifting the first overhead bridge cranes inside the arch. ®Francis Vigouroux

NOVARKA, a 50/50 joint venture formed by Vinci Construction Grands Projets (leader) and Bouygues Travaux Publics, is currently building a new safe confinement over the Unit 4 reactor at Chernobyl, which exploded on 26 April 1986.

This unparalleled project comprises the design and construction of a confinement shelter in the form of an arch that will cover the current object shelter, or sarcophagus, built in 1986 just after the
accident.

Standing on two concrete beams, the metal arch will be assembled in an area to the west of the damaged reactor and slid into place above the existing object shelter.

The purpose of the new structure is to contain the radioactive materials and protect the existing shelter from weather damage.

Ultimately, it will allow work to begin on deconstruction of Unit 4 of the Chernobyl power plant.

Two French construction groups have joined forces to carry out the outsized project, with each group providing its specific expertise.

Media resources
Press contacts

Mathieu Carré

+33 (0)1 30 60 66 39

m.carre@bouygues-construction.com

Jessica Swiderski

+33 (0)1 30 60 25 37

j.swiderski@bouygues-construction.com

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