Flamanville is the first reactor built after the new generation EPR design (European Pressurized Reactor), after a 100% Chinese design. It will have a capacity of 1.3GWe when entering service in 2019.

Dextra has been present on site since the beginning of the construction works in 2008 and until 2015.

For this challenging project, Dextra has been supplying its Griptec rebar splicing solution through its local fabricator partners. The rebar preparation was supported by an additional machine placed at site.

Griptec is the preferred rebar splicing solution of the nuclear industry thanks to its unique performance level and an automatic testing process which systematically tests all the connections produced as part of its standard cycle: a guarantee that 100% of the connections perform above project requirement.

More than 800,000 Griptec connections have been used on the project, including 400,000 position assemblies, allowing to connect large diameter rebar without rotating them. The Griptec connections have been installed on reactor building and APC shell, as well as auxiliary buildings.

In particular, Griptec have been used for the connections of large prefabricated panels.

Four sided panels with Griptec female sleeves and bridging studs

Thanks to its Bridging Assemblies, square panels could be reconnected on four sides while coping for possible misalignment that occur when lifting the cage.