WORLD RECORD: THE LONGEST CONCRETE PLATE WITHOUT JOINTS, WITHOUT CRACKS

The German electron synchrotron DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron) in Hamburg is a centre for research into the structure of matter. DESY uses the accelerator PETRA (Positron-Elektron-Tandem-Ring-Anlage) as an intense synchrotron radiation sources for a broad spectrum of tests with electromagnetic radiation. The tests must take place on an extremely stiff and smooth concrete plate. The plate had to be 280 m long, 24 m wide and 1 metre thick. The plate should not get any joints and has to remain free of cracks because of the resistance demanded. The plate has to be produced monolithically, that is on behalf of the huge dimensions and properties world record. The positioning of the plate on a sliding bitumen layer and the use of steel fibre concrete have been the prerequisites for a successful performance under such challenging requirements.