Pit & Foundation
To realise the construction pit, a hole is dug measuring approximately 50 metres by 50 metres and 21 metres deep. This is done in several stages. First, trenches are dug 1,5 metres wide, into which concrete is poured to realise the diaphragm walls. These walls are anchored, and within these walls, 380 bored piles are placed, after which the soil is excavated and underwater concrete is poured to hold the empty pit in place and to base the reactor on later. The works are carried out by BESIX.
- Preparation of the work area.
- Installation of diaphragm walls.
- Placement of capping beams.
- Anchoring.
- Excavation of the construction pit.
- Drilling SI piles.
- Application of soil improvement.
- Application of underwater concrete.
- Pumping out water from the construction pit.
- Installation of the bearing slab.
- Cleaning of the work area.
,,With this, we are taking another big step towards being able to start building the new PALLAS-reactor. Now that all the necessary permits are in place, we can proceed with the realisation of the construction pit, in which the PALLAS-reactor will be built.” - Peter Dijk, Director PALLAS Programme