A large construction site with several cranes and a round structure under construction, surrounded by forest under a cloudy sky.
Building construction
Extended structural work for FAIR
In progress
Germany

Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research Darmstadt

Text Thomas Beckmann

A new particle accelerator is being built in Darmstadt. PORR is responsible for the extended structural work in the north facility area.

The contract includes not only the construction of a 1.1km long accelerator tunnel including the vertical building components, but also a transfer building with an underground transfer hall and the main supply building above. 

Project data
  • Employer
    Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR)
  • Contractor
    ARGE FAIR Anlagenbereich Nord, PORR Ingenieurbau und PORR Bau GmbH
  • Architect
    ION42
  • Order type
    Erweiterter Rohbau
  • Project type
    Structural engineering
  • Project scope
    Tunnel and transfer building in a construction pit created on site at a depth of up to 20m.
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Background

One of the largest and most complex construction projects in the field of cutting-edge international research is currently underway at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt: FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research). A new particle accelerator is to be used to create and research matter inside the confines of the laboratory that is normally only found in the universe. Scientists from all over the world hope to gain new insights into how matter is structured and how the universe has evolved – from the Big Bang to the present day.

An aerial view of an industrial complex with several buildings and streets, surrounded by green areas.
The new particle accelerator centre is to be built on a 20ha site by 2025. Source: ion42/FAIR
An aerial view of an industrial complex with several buildings and streets, surrounded by green areas.

Several different buildings that are necessary for operating the particle accelerator will be erected on the approximately 20ha site. PORR was awarded the contract for the extended structural work in the north facility area. In order to meet the high requirements, solid reinforced concrete components are being used. The jointless construction method imposes heightened demands on crack limitation and concrete performance.

A technical 3D model of a building with several levels, columns and walls in different colours.
Pile and slab foundation for the transfer building and the tunnel in the transfer hall area. Source: PORR
A technical 3D model of a building with several levels, columns and walls in different colours.
The logistics and high safety requirements represent a major challenge.
Thomas Beckmann
Project Manager, PORR GmbH & Co. KGaA

Solid structures

Most of the structures are solid reinforced concrete constructions and up to 6m thick. The supporting structures for the buildings are made from solid reinforced concrete with reinforced concrete load-bearing exterior walls, access cores and interior columns, and interior walls in reinforced concrete supporting reinforced concrete floors.

A technical construction plan of a building with detailed labelling and dimensions, showing the side view of a structural component.
The accelerator tunnel consists of a floor slab up to 2.0m thick, outer walls 1.0m to 2.0m thick, and ceilings up to 2.0m thick. Source: PORR
A technical construction plan of a building with detailed labelling and dimensions, showing the side view of a structural component.

The accelerator tunnel will have shallow foundations, while the solid transfer building and the tunnel in the adjacent area of the transfer hall will be founded on a combined pile and slab foundation. The solid components and the complex frame place very high demands on the planning and execution of the supporting framework. Wall-type beams are temporarily supported by solid concrete columns until the load-bearing capacity of the entire system is achieved.

A stack of steel reinforcement meshes prepared for use in concrete construction projects.
The complexity of the frame and the jointless construction resulted in a complicated reinforcement layout with very high reinforcement density of the individual components. Source: PORR
A stack of steel reinforcement meshes prepared for use in concrete construction projects.

High demands on concrete performance

The concrete to be used must have very specific properties. The increased bulk density of 2.35kg/dm³ and the residual water content of 4.5% have led to a formulation that includes basalt aggregate, slow-hardening cement, and high water-cement ratios, placing very high demands on both the workers and the machinery involved in production, transport and processing.

A large construction site with several cranes and concrete pumps, where workers are pouring a large concrete surface.
PORR will carry out over 100 large-scale concreting operations averaging 1,500m³ of concrete throughout the duration of the project. Source: PORR
A large construction site with several cranes and concrete pumps, where workers are pouring a large concrete surface.
Up to 250 lorry journeys per day are not uncommon.
Thomas Beckmann
Project Manager, PORR GmbH & Co. KGaA

The concrete is produced directly on site with a mobile mixing plant to ensure a continuous supply of 150m³ per hour and up to 3,000m³ per day. PORR will handle over 100 large-scale concreting operations with an average of 1,500m³ of concrete each throughout the construction period. The peak monthly output will be 15,000m³ of concrete, which corresponds to 33,000t of aggregates and cement, and 3,600t of reinforcement. Given that the excavation and backfilling of the construction pit are being carried out simultaneously, 250 lorry journeys per day are not uncommon. A fresh concrete composite system is used to seal the exterior components.

A complex technical 3D model of a construction project with detailed structures and pipelines in different colours.
The pipeline construction carried out alongside the backfilling work also poses a major logistical challenge (pictured: the pipeline construction in the transfer area). Source: PORR
A complex technical 3D model of a construction project with detailed structures and pipelines in different colours.

The pipeline construction is also adapted to reflect the dimensions of the overall project. The installation of 10km of steel and HDPE pipelines with diameters of up to 2.0m, along with 25km of cable conduits, which had to be carried out at the same time as the backfilling work, also posed a major logistical challenge.

Conclusion

The project is currently in full swing. The excellent cooperation with PORR Design & Engineering Berlin, Structural Engineering division, and PORR Design & Engineering Vienna, Work Preparation and Structural Engineering division, has helped the construction crews on site to overcome the enormous challenges posed by this major project.

Technical data

6,000 t
Steel incorporated
315,000 m³
Concrete incorporated
  • Construction pit depth
    down to 20 m
  • Reinforcing steel
    40,000 t
  • Tunnel length
    1,100 m
  • Sealing
    117,500 m²
  • Backfill and cover fill
    900,000 m³
  • Pipeline construction up to DN 2000
    10,000 m
  • Cable conduits up to DN 160
    25,000 m

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