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A complex landscape of concrete and steel

18 Jul 2016
The more construction progresses on the ITER worksite, the more the complexity of the project becomes obvious—and striking.
Drone_Riche_07_16_OK_light_small.jpg
What was happening in the Tokamak Pit used to be easy to understand: a large hole in the bedrock, support columns and antiseismic pads, steel reinforcement and concrete to create the massive foundations of the ITER Tokamak.
 
Now—except at the very centre of the Tokamak Complex worksite where the middle crane stands—the foundations are no longer visible and construction has already advanced to the second basement level (B1).
 
The B1-level slab has been completed for the Diagnostic Building (right), is half completed for the Tokamak Building, and—on the site of the Tritium Building at left—workers are busy laying steel rebar prior to concrete pouring.
 
Aerial pictures like this one, taken on 11 July, reveal a complex landscape of concrete and steel and show the extraordinary density of embedded plates welded into the rebar.
 
The simple geometric forms of yesteryear have been replaced by complex structures but the magic remains—the ITER worksite is still a fascinating place.
 
View a selection of aerial photos below.
 

Taken by drone, this picture shows the extent of work underway for the Tokamak Complex—the central suite of three buildings that will house the ITER Tokamak, diagnostic systems and tritium management. Adjacent to the Tokamak Complex is the Assembly Hall, for pre-assembly operations, and the Cryostat Workshop (far right), where welding operations have just begun.
With work underway on the second basement level (B1), the concrete and steel of the Tokamak Complex is nearly flush with the ITER platform. In addition to two basement levels, there will be five levels above ground, bringing the Tokamak Building to the same height as the Assembly Building.
Bull's eye
It's easy to see where Tokamak assembly operations will take place, in a bottom-up fashion. Assembly will begin when the seven-floor Tokamak Building is ready for occupation; Assembly Building cranes will travel out along extended rails to deliver components to the assembly "pit."
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