Structural Design
The NSC design is an arch-shaped steel structure with an internal height of 92.5 metres (303.5 ft), and a 12-metre (39.4 ft) distance between the centers of the upper and lower arch chords. The internal span of the arch is to be 245 metres (803.8 ft), and the external span is to be 270 metres (885.8 ft). The dimensions of the arch were determined based upon the need to operate equipment inside the new shelter and decommission the existing shelter. The overall length of the structure is 150 metres (492.1 ft), consisting of 13 arches assembled 12.5 metres (41 ft) apart to form 12 bays. The ends of the structure will be sealed by vertical walls assembled around, but not supported by, the existing structures of the reactor building.
The arches are constructed of tubular steel members, and are externally clad with three layer sandwich panels. These external panels will also be used on the end walls of the structure. Internally, each arch will be covered in polycarbonate (Lexan) to prevent the accumulation of radioactive particles on the frame members themselves.
Large parts of the arches will be shop fabricated and transported to the assembly site, 180 metres (590 ft) west of reactor unit 4. Each of the steel tubes will be high-strength steel in order to reduce cost and assembly weight. The steel used in construction of the tubular members will have a yield strength of no less than 2,500 kg/cm2 (250 MPa; 36,000 psi).
More extensive detail of the structural composition and design of the arches can be found in Section II.B., "Structural Design Process" of Conceptual Design of the Chornobyl New Safe Confinement — an Overview.
An air-conditioning system is used to prevent corrosion. Condensation will be avoided by maintaining a temperature difference.
Read more about this topic: Shelter Implementation Plan, Design and Construction, International Competition
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