On the 11th of October 2013 the third lifting of the Arch was successfully completed.
The third lifting differed a bit from two previous operations, as it included several stages. The first stage – jacking of the Arch for the height just a little more than 110 meters (higher than the design position) – was performed during September 14-16, 2013. By doing so the Arch weight was completely transferred to the jacking systems. During a period from September 17 the final assembly of side segments of the Arch, as well as of its supporting parts, was done. Simultaneously, skidding tracks and other auxiliary constructions were installed at the Erection Zone foundations.
The process of the Arch Eastern part’s load transfer from the lifting towers to the Erection Zone foundations and its installation into the design position was finished on October 11, 2013.
As of today, the height of the Arch Eastern part structure is 108.9 m, width – 257 m, length – 78 m. Weight of the facility’s metal structures including the installed crane-runway beams and air ducts – 11,639 tons.
The operation on moving the Arch Eastern part to the stand-by position prior to the main skidding will be performed in spring 2014. By that time all works on installation of the Arch Eastern part’s cladding will have been finished.
The following activities are scheduled for the near future:
- Stabilization of metal structures of the Arch;
- Dismantling of cable blocking system;
- Dismantling of jacking beams;
- Dismantling of hoisting towers and jacking system of the Arch;
- Assembling of lacking basic metal structures and cladding purlins.
These activities are planned to implement as soon as possible to ensure ability for more active performance of works on cladding completion.
As on October 10, 2013, the cladding is assembled for 34.2%. Until October 10, 2013, the cladding works were performed by the Contractor in two shifts. The works on roof assembling at height will be resumed following the stabilization of the Arch structures.
Currently, themetalstructuresoftheArchwesternpartarebeingsuppliedactively. The large-sized assembly of re-supplied materials will start in near future.
Simultaneously when performing works on assembling the main structure, the following main activities are being carried out:
- Reinforcing and concreting of the northern ground beam for the service area foundation. Works on CFA pile arrangement are completed. Reinforcementcagesarebeingassembled – 1,125 tons (94%). A ground beam is under concreting – 3,583 m3 (63%);
- Arrangement of CFA piles of the southern ground beam for service area foundation – 32 piles (14.8%);
- Activities associated with technological building and auxiliary structures are being continued. Cement grouting for technological building foundation base is under performance:
- Borehole drilling – 86%;
- Securing the perforated pipes in a borehole – 84%;
- Borehole cementation – 152 units (22.5%).
