Engineering safety, durability and compliance for critical nuclear infrastructures

Engineering safety, durability and compliance for critical nuclear infrastructures

Nuclear containment structures are among the most demanding civil engineering works ever built. They must ensure absolute safety under extreme loads, seismic events and long service lives, while complying with the highest regulatory and quality standards.
VSL supports nuclear projects worldwide with integrated geotechnical, structural and construction solutions, from foundations and ground control to post-tensioning, seismic protection and complex construction operations.

Engineering safety, durability and compliance for critical nuclear infrastructures

Nuclear containment structures are among the most demanding civil engineering works ever built. They must ensure absolute safety under extreme loads, seismic events and long service lives, while complying with the highest regulatory and quality standards.
VSL supports nuclear projects worldwide with integrated geotechnical, structural and construction solutions, from foundations and ground control to post-tensioning, seismic protection and complex construction operations.

  • 70 years
    of nuclear containment structures engineering excellence

What we do: VSL capabilities for nuclear containment structures

VSL delivers integrated solutions for nuclear containment structures, covering the full interaction between ground, structure and construction methods.
Our teams support owners, designers and contractors from early design stages through execution, commissioning and long-term performance, ensuring safety, reliability and regulatory compliance at every step.

Cut-off walls

Low-permeability barriers control groundwater inflows, limit uplift pressures and protect foundations against long-term hydraulic risks.
Cut-off walls – Nuclear Containments

Deep foundations

Engineered pile and barrette systems transfer extreme loads to competent strata, control settlements and ensure reliable soil–structure interaction under seismic and accidental scenarios.
Deep foundations – Nuclear Containments

Ground Improvement

Soil treatment solutions enhance bearing capacity, limit differential settlements and improve seismic behavior, ensuring predictable long-term performance of containment foundations.
Ground Improvement – Nuclear Containments

Heavy lifting

Engineered lifting solutions ensure the safe, precise installation of oversized and extremely heavy nuclear components under strict safety constraints.
Heavy lifting – Nuclear Containments

Horizontal directional drilling

Trenchless crossings enable the installation of pipes and services beneath sensitive nuclear areas without surface excavation or operational disruption.
Horizontal directional drilling – Nuclear Containments

Post-Tensioning

Nuclear-grade post-tensioning systems apply permanent compression to concrete, controlling cracking, improving watertightness and enhancing structural resistance to pressure and seismic loads.
Post-Tensioning – Nuclear Containments

Seismic protection and vibration control

Dampers, isolators and response-control systems reduce seismic demand, protect critical components and ensure controlled structural behavior during earthquakes.
Seismic protection and vibration control – Nuclear Containments

VSoL®

Structural earth-retaining systems provide excavation support and permanent earth retention with controlled deformation and proven seismic performance in constrained nuclear sites.
VSoL® – Nuclear Containments

Why choose VSL for nuclear structures?

VSL combines specialized engineering, rigorous safety standards, and controlled execution to deliver reliable structural solutions for the most demanding nuclear facilities.

Ground behavior, structural response and construction methods are designed as one coherent system.

VSL operates under stringent nuclear safety, quality assurance and regulatory frameworks worldwide.

From post-tensioning and seismic devices to heavy lifting and trenchless works, VSL controls critical execution risks.

Support from early studies and design coordination through execution, commissioning and long-term structural performance.

See more See less

FAQs about Nuclear containment structures

Here are some of the questions we’re asked most often about nuclear containment structures. If you have more, don’t hesitate to contact us!

They must resist extreme loads and seismic events while ensuring long-term safety, watertightness and regulatory compliance.

Yes. Our methods are adapted to restricted, sensitive and operational environments.

Both. VSL can intervene from design support to full execution, or on specific critical packages.

Yes. All solutions are designed and executed in accordance with nuclear safety, quality and traceability requirements.

See more See less

Looking for reliable solutions for nuclear containment structures?

Contact VSL to discuss an approach tailored to your project’s technical and regulatory constraints.