View source for West Burton Power Station

==[[Structural_steel_design_awards|Structural Steel Design Awards]] 2012 - Commendation==
{{#image_template:image=File: West_burton_power_station.jpg|align=right |wrap=true|width=400}}
The new EDF Energy Power Station is a 1300 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) unit which supplies enough energy for 1.5 million homes. The three turbine halls dominate the new CCGT facility. They are identical steel [[Portal frames|portal frames]] with 32m eaves height and an 82m x 35m footprint and are founded on CFA piles.
 
Typically the steel [[Portal frames|portal frames]] are at 12.5m centres and consist of 35m span [[Trusses|roof trusses]] supported off stepped [[Steel_construction_products#Plate girders|plate girder]] columns to the elevations. The turbine halls also contain a number of access platform levels, together with a 100 tonne overhead [[Portal_frames#Crane actions|travelling crane]] located at 23.5m above finished floor level.
 
The columns are substantial fabricated [[Steel_construction_products#Plate girders|plate girder]] sections with fully [[Moment_resisting_connections#Column bases|fixed moment bases]]. At their base, the [[Steel_construction_products#Plate girders|fabricated I sections]] are 1800mm deep by 600mm wide with 60mm flanges and a 15mm web. At a height of 15.75m the flange width of the 1800 deep section is reduced to 450mm to save on column weight and there is also a step in the column at the crane beam level (23.5m). The top 8m of the column shaft is formed from a 900mm deep by 450mm wide [[Steel_construction_products#Plate girders|plate girder]] section [[Fabrication|fabricated]] from 30mm flanges and a 12mm web. The changes in column section required fully [[Moment_resisting_connections#Welded splices|welded splices]] which were formed using full penetration [[Welding#Butt welds|butt welds]] and tapered flange sections to reduce local stresses.
 
To limit the overall section weights for [[Fabrication#Handling and transportation|transport]] a [[Moment_resisting_connections#Splices|bolted splice]] was also provided within the lower shaft.
{{#image_template:image=File: West_Burton-2.jpg|align=left|wrap=true|width=300}}
The [[Trusses|roof trusses]] have a maximum depth of 4.5m with 280mm deep top and bottom booms. The internal truss members vary in section type with a combination of I sections, channels and angles adopted according to load requirements.

The crane beams are also fabricated [[Steel_construction_products#Plate girders|plate girder]] sections with a maximum span of 15m and an overall depth of 1500mm. They are designed as single spanning off [[Bridge_articulation_and_bearing_specification#Rocker bearings|rocker bearings]] and are formed from 40mm flanges and a 15mm web.
 
Full [[Moment_resisting_connections|moment connections]] are provided for the main portal columns. These are substantial fabrications requiring 1.5m long M64 holding down bolts, together with 50mm thick base plates with stiffeners and heavy washer plates to locate the bolts.
 
As the columns were too large to [[Fabrication#Handling and transportation|transport]] they were delivered to site as 24 tonne and 9 tonne pieces. The full column was then assembled on the ground before being [[Construction#Steel erection|erected]] as a single piece. Similarly, the [[Trusses|roof trusses]] were delivered as three equal sections, with two parts bolted together on site before being joined with the third section in the air as part of a tandem lift involving two [[Construction#Mobile cranes|mobile cranes]].
 
The three turbine halls were [[Construction#Steel erection|erected]] sequentially from one end of the site. Initially, three [[Construction#Mobile cranes|mobile cranes]] were required to allow the [[Construction#Steel erection|erection]] of two [[Portal frames|portal frames]] and associated bracing to ensure a stable core for subsequent [[Construction#Steel erection|erection]].
 
Careful sequencing of the various site activities was required. Each turbine hall has two internal floors which could only be installed following installation of the concrete slabs, plinths and pedestals required for the generating equipment. These internal floors in turn contribute to the overall [[Concept_design#Frame stability|frame stability]] and, as a consequence, the 40,000m<sup>2</sup> of [[Building_envelopes#Types of metal cladding systems|external cladding]] to the buildings could not be fitted until these floors were erected.
 
{|class="wikitable"  width="400"
|-
|'''Architect'''||EDF Energy
|-
|'''Structural Engineer'''||EDF Energy
|-
|'''Steelwork Contractor'''||Fisher Engineering Ltd (Severfield-Rowen Plc)
|-
|'''Main Contractor'''||Kier Construction Ltd.
|-
|'''Client'''||EDF Energy
|}

==Judges' comments==
Three large identical [[Portal frames|portal frames]] provide the turbine halls for this new 1300 MW facility. Designed, [[Fabrication|fabricated]] and [[Construction#Steel erection|erected]] very fast, this is one of the first major projects to conform to the [[Design_codes_and_standards#Introduction to Eurocodes|Eurocodes]].
 
A good example of practical and economical use of heavy steelwork.

[[Category:Case studies – Single storey industrial buildings]]