Room to move
4 May 2012
In the Jules-Horowitz Research Reactor (RJH) that is being constructed at CEA-Cadarache, the seismic protection system is the same as in ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ: it consists of a first basemat upon which concrete plinths topped by antiseimic pads are installed in order to support a second basemat which bears the weight of the installation.
The RJH reactor and its enclosure being much lighter (100,000 tonnes) than the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Tokamak Complex (320,000 tonnes), it requires only 195 seismic pads, as compared to 493 in ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ's case.
Apart from a difference in the number of plinths and pads, and also a slightly higher "ceiling" in RJH (2.20 metres vs 1.90) the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ and RJH "basements" will be perfectly similar: this picture, taken last week at RJH, could be a picture taken next year in ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ ...