1st RUNNER UP ENTRY 4 Getting physical

VSL installed the Compact Muon Soleniod (CMS) detector, part of a super conducting particle accelerator, into a purpose built cavern, likened to the size of a cathedral, 97 m below ground. Commissioned by CERN, the European particle physics laboratory, the 12,500 tonne detector was lowered into position in 15 segments.

VSL used a portal crane with a 28 m span and 25 m free height under the beams. It consisted of two pairs of lattice towers and two interconnected welded steel girders, each 3.4 m high. The CMS segments have different hook up geometries that varied by several metres, therefore the position of the four lowering units had to be adjusted by horizontal jacking in two directions.