Nataly
According to the statement of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), never before has such a huge structure been assembled under comparable circumstances and in the vicinity of a heavily contaminated site, Joinfo.ua reports.
Work on the Chornobyl’s New Safe Confinement at the site started in late 2010 and, according to the current schedule, is expected to be completed in late 2017.
When completed, the New Safe Confinement will prevent the release of contaminated material from the present shelter and at the same time protect the structure from external impacts such as extreme weather.
The new structure will also be an extraordinary landmark, tall enough to house London’s St Paul’s or Paris’ Notre Dame cathedrals, To minimise the risk of workers’ exposure to radiation, it is being assembled in the vicinity of the site and then slid into position.
The New Safe Confinement will eventually rise to a height of 110 metres, will be 165 metres long, have a span of 260 metres and a lifetime of a minimum of 100 years.
The arch-shaped structure will weigh more than 30,000 tons. Its frame is a huge lattice construction of tubular steel members built on two longitudinal concrete beams.
It will provide a safe working environment equipped with heavy duty cranes for the future dismantling of the shelter and waste management after the completion of the NSC.
It will be strong enough to withstand a tornado and its sophisticated ventilation system will minimise the risk of corrosion, ensuring that there is no need to replace the coating and expose workers to radiation during the structure’s lifetime.
