World experience and development prospects of mechanization scheme of nuclear power plants construction

Introduction. Improvement of construction methods for the main structures of nuclear power plants (NPP) is impossible without updating the old and developing fundamentally new schemes for mechanization of construction production. Based on the analysis of world experience in using various types of lifting mechanisms at NPP construction sites, it is proposed to assess the current state and perspective for the development of organizational and technological approaches to the development of effective mechanization of construction production in the construction of atomic energy facilities. Materials and methods. Review of domestic and world (UK, USA, Japan) experience in NPP construction allows us to assert that despite the technological and organizational and managerial difficulties, the construction of NPP power units by enlarged units of high factory readiness still remains promising and feasible. The implementation of this approach involves the design and manufacture of unique hoisting mechanisms, the most popular of which are currently crawler or rail-mounted mast cranes. At the same time, the experience of constructing nuclear power plants of the USSR and Great Britain using gantry cranes was undeservedly forgotten. Results. The performed comparative analysis of the applicability of tower, mast and bridge (gantry) types of cranes allows us to recognize the high complexity of using gantry cranes in the construction of NPPs and the structural limitations of other types of cranes. The main disadvantages of gantry cranes lie in their use of a rail track, the replacement of which with a pneumatic-wheeled chassis, which has undergone significant development in the last 20 years, can open up new perspective for the reengineering of previously used mechanization schemes for NPP construction. Conclusions. Using main lifting mechanism of an overhead crane equipped with a pneumatic wheel chassis in the construction of nuclear power becomes one of the most promising options in the development of nuclear energy construction. The development and implementation of new schemes for the mechanization of construction production based on experience and advanced technologies in mechanical engineering can provide a qualitative improvement of the ongoing investment and construction activities in the field of nuclear energy.