First Structural Steel Erected for NSLS-II

September 15, 2009

Ten steel columns were incorporated into the ever-growing framework for the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) last week, the first structural steel erected for the future 400,000-square-foot facility.

Weighing between 2,500 and 3,200 pounds and towering 22 to 28 feet, the columns are needed to support the utility and vehicle tunnels, for which concrete already has been poured.

But the bulk of the steel work is yet to come, said Marty Fallier, NSLS-II Division Director for Conventional Facilities. The rest of the steel will start to arrive on site in December, with erection of the ring building structure starting in January. In total, the building will require about 2,500 tons (about 5.5 million pounds) of structural steel, which will take about eight months to install.

These 10 columns, however, were meant to be “early risers.” Once they are firmly in place, they’ll be encased in concrete and become part of the foundation that will help support the rest of the massive building.

The NSLS-II project was able to accelerate construction this year thanks to $150 million in Recovery Act funding.

For more information about the NSLS-II project, go to the NSLS-II website.

2009-1417  |  INT/EXT  |  Newsroom