Target
Steel erection is continuing across the Active Cell high bay, and sandwich panels are starting to be put up on the Monolith high bay. Superstructure also continues for the A2T (Accelerator to Target), the Target Entrance Building and one of the lab buildings.
Works are in progress inside the Utility Building, with the masking of welding plates and grounding points currently ongoing. A special rubber joint is being mounted, separating the central part of the building from surrounding concrete buildings and enabling the structure to move separately and be able to withstand the event of an earthquake. Grinding of concrete walls closest to the round monolith has started, this is to obtain a clean concrete surface on which epoxy treatment can be applied. Epoxy painting has started on level 100. On ground level, a “tipi” (conical tent structure) is being constructed around the opening of the monolith to provide weather protection. This is completed on the Experimental Hall 1 side and is ongoing on the Experimental Hall 3 side. Weather is a constant issue, and this aims to mitigate the impact of rain and strong winds.
The first instrument cave to be built in the large Experimental Hall is the one for the NMX instrument, and is located in the west end of the hall. Work on the cave foundation structure will start this week, after which steel reinforcement will be installed, followed by formwork and concrete castings (the first casting is due before Christmas).
FYI
The Neutron Macromolecular Crystallography (NMX) instrument, is an ESS in-house designed scientific instrument expected to give valuable answers in the field of life science. With the help of this instrument, scientists will be able to study the fine details of proteins, crystals and other tiny biological structures, with the primary goal of locating hydrogen atoms and the chemical bonds inside cells. This will enable understanding of complex biological mechanisms, providing clues about ageing, health and disease. One of the benefits of understanding these processes on molecular level is being able to develop better, more targeted drugs.
General
Asphalting is completed in the external areas of Sprinkler Central building, as well as the area surrounding the experiment buildings.
As the construction work in the Central Utility Building is virtually complete, the coordination responsibility of the building has been handed over to ESS.
