Laboratory 3

The third building to be completed was named Lab 3 and it provided a very large climatic chamber facility that could simulate extremes of temperature. A vibration test facility was also provided.

​In order to meet this demanding specification, the consulting engineers designed a unique building. A substantial reinforced concrete barrel-vaulted roof structure was created. The chamber was heavily insulated and was entered via heavy doors from the southerly end. An overhead crane system was provided.

​Shingle was then banked up all around the building to roof level. The test chamber was capable of ranging from +60°C to -60°C This wide temperature range required a significant amount of external equipment that was housed in equipment rooms located around the central chamber. Lab 3 also had a vibration testing capability.

​Following the priority completion of Lab 1, in April 1956, the workforce were then focussed on the completion of Lab 3 later that year.

The interior was 24.5 m long overall with a separated, fully-insulated inner chamber 13.5m in length.

Lab 3 drawings
Proposed thermal chamber
​© Crown Copyright / AWE 2021. Contains public sector information licenced under the Open Government Licence V3.0.
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Lab 3 photos
Lab 3 construction, 8th July 1956
​© Crown Copyright / AWE 2021. Contains public sector information licenced under the Open Government Licence V3.0.
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