Chernobyl Sarcophagus

Designed and built by the Novarka consortium, which brings together VINCI Construction Grands Projets and Bouygues Travaux Publics, this new metal containment structure is intended to permanently secure the nuclear reactor damaged in 1986 and enable its dismantling. The structure takes the form of an arch with a span of 257 meters, a height of 110 meters, and a covered length of 162 meters, representing a total equipped weight of approximately 35,000 tons.

Assembled on a construction site 300 meters from the reactor and then moved into place using jacks, the structure rests on permanent foundations comprising 180 piles and concrete beams. Designed for a lifespan of 100 years, this enclosure is the largest mobile terrestrial structure ever built, defying comparison. Twelve years, 10,000 workers, and 33 million hours of labor were required to complete its construction.

Decided at the international level in order to avoid any risk of radioactive dispersion linked to the aging of the old sarcophagus, the project meets exceptional nuclear, environmental, and human safety requirements. The steel and double-skin stainless steel enclosure is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions with temperatures ranging from -43°C to +45°C, a magnitude 6 earthquake on the Mercalli scale, and a class 3 tornado. It incorporates anti-corrosion ventilation systems, watertight and armored doors, and 1,500-ton overhead cranes for dismantling operations.

Beyond its technical performance, the project contributes to the long-term safety of a major site in Europe and the protection of populations and ecosystems by limiting the long-term environmental impact of the nuclear accident.