Jobsite description

Based in Kourou Space Base, Guyana, Ariane 6’s major jobsite started in June 2016 is currently being finalized. The construction of the launch pad building of the future Rocket will end at the beginning of 2020. The development of the Rocket Launch will continue until its launch.

CHRYSO expertise

This jobsite represents 55 000 m3 of concrete, 35 000 m3 for flues structures, 2 tunels for jet engine evacuation, 180 meters long. It is one of the main structure of this new launch pad. The other two are technical building and mobile portals as a 6000 tons‘ « steel cathedral » measuring 100 meters hight.

With a strong experience gained on the construction sites of Ariane 4 and 5, CHRYSO team provided a recognized expertise for this such major Project.

Several laboratory and in situ tests with CHRYSO/SAM local team support, have allowed to develop a mix design for concrete including a superplasticizer, CHRYSO Fluid Optima 224 and synthetical fibrilled Micro-fibers, Fibrin 1950D.

PRODUCTS USED

  • Superplasticizer: CHRYSO®Fluid Optima 224
  • Synthetic microfibre: FIBRIN 1950 D
  • Special admixture: CHRYSO® Remblai Dose

Project technical challenges

For this Jobsite and more particularly for flues constructions, launch pad building foundation, water tower and its ditch launch pad, CHRYSO Technical teams provided an answer to three main challenges:

  • Concrete stability (bleeding risk with local materials)
  • 90 minutes Open Time
  • High early strengths & 28-day compressive strength

Project participants

Owner: European Space Agency (ESA) / Cnes
Consortium: Eclair 6 consortium leaded by Eiffage Génie Civil

Other references

Reservoir/Dam

VLAKFONTEIN RESERVOIR

In November 2020 started the construction in South Africa of the Vlakfontein reservoir in Benoni, Gauteng. The circular post-tensioned reservoir, which will store 213.4 million litres of potable water, is the country’s largest cylindrical post-tensioned concrete reservoir, one of the biggest in the world. Due to its enormous size, it may also be classified as a dam. 

Benoni, South Africa
View reference
VLAKFONTEIN RESERVOIR
Bridge

CEBU – CORDOVA LINK EXPRESSWAY (CCLEX)

The Cebu – Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) is a four-lane, 27-metre wide bridge across the Mactan Canal connecting Cebu City to Cordova, Philippines.

MACTAN ISLAND, PHILIPPINES
View reference
CEBU – CORDOVA LINK EXPRESSWAY (CCLEX)