World’s largest crane lifts nuclear reactor liner ring
Big Carl, the world’s largest crane, has lifted a 304-tonne steel liner ring into place on the first reactor building at Hinkley Point C nuclear power station. A joint venture between Bouygues and Laing O’Rourke (Bylor JV) is overseeing construction on the project.
It is the third and final ring to be installed on the building, which will eventually house one of two nuclear reactors.
Construction season starts at UK’s Antarctic research hub
British Antarctic Survey, BAM, Ramboll and Sweco will work to make a new 4,500 sq m science and operations building weatherproof and carry out airfield improvements at Rothera Research station. The work comes as the six-month construction season starts in the region.
Last season, BAM and its partners completed the external skeleton for the new Discovery building.
Mace trials ‘Dave’ the robot dog at Heathrow Airport
Construction firm Mace is trialling a Boston Dynamics robot dog it has named ‘Dave’ as part of the refurbishment of ageing mechanical and electrical services in a 1960s cargo tunnel at Heathrow Airport.
The ‘Spot’ robot features a Trimble X7 scanner to provide 3D laser scans of the site. The tunnel helps to transport luggage and cargo across the airport.
Repair work in Parliament’s St Stephen’s Hall complete
Contractor DBR has completed work to clean and repair the ceiling in St Stephen’s Hall in the Houses of Parliament. The specialist work was part of a wider programme focusing on the repair and replacement of stonework, as well as mechanical and electrical systems in the Palace of Westminster.
Laing O’Rourke installs Everton stadium roof truss
Laing O’Rourke is installing the first of a series of giant roof trusses at Everton FC’s new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium. The contractor lifted the 100-tonne section of steelwork into place in the north stand.
The stadium will have five roof trusses. Two are in the smaller north stand and three are on top of the one-tier south stand.
HS2 invites QPR youngsters to Old Oak Common
HS2 has partnered with Queens Park Rangers football club to give 22 members of its youth team an insight into life on a construction site with a visit to the site of HS2’s Old Oak Common superhub station.
The station sits just two miles from QPR’s stadium at Loftus Road.
