Job: Tower Rocket Launch Center - VLS
Location: Alcântara / MA
This was a distinct job for the structure was a mobile launch tower with articulated platforms, executed with strict structural specifications and dimensional accuracy, requiring rigorous technical and logistic control conducted with special engineering procedures.
Named as Torre Móvel de Integração (Mobile Integration Tower), the tower was built entirely out of metallic structures, weighing 390 tons, a total height of 33.5 m (equivalent to a 9-story building), 5 levels of articulated platforms and is used to assemble rockets, preparing them for launch.
Being a mobile structure, during launch, the whole 390 ton tower is dislocated over the railings at a total distance of 54 meters from the rocket in order for it not to be damaged by the heat generated during the launch.
Estrutel was responsible for the structure, total fabrication of the tower as well as the assembly on site in Alcântara.
The tower is composed of: Chassis support for the tower; the building's metallic structure is composed of fully screwed assembled columns and beams; permanent and mobile platforms; roof structure; a structure for lateral wall panels; roofing and wall panels composed of pre-painted steel, thermoacoustic panels with insulated expanded polyurethane; runway beams for overhead cranes with a capacity of 20 tons; external and internal staircases; front doors; metal firewalls; elevator shaft; aluminium floor grating; thick galvinated superficial protection for the metallic structures and final touches with polyurethane paint.
Steel
- Main Structure: ASTM A470 - Grade 50
- Support Strucutres: Usi-Sac-300
Tower Height: 33.5 m
Weight: 408.20 tons