Relocatable radiation vault and methods of assembly and use

A method of constructing a habitable radiation shielding vault, the method comprising:

• forming a central vault room having sidewalls;
• locating a radiation emitting device in the central vault room;
• and
• providing a platform for holding a quantity of radiation shielding material above the central vault room;
• characterized in that the method comprises:
• supporting the platform with shear walls that are disposed outside the sidewalls of the central vault room such that the radiation shielding material is supported and suspended above the central vault room without being in contact with or bearing upon the central vault room or affecting the height or level of the central vault room.

A method for constructing a habitable building including a radiation shielding vault, comprising:

• providing a foundation;
• constructing a central vault room on the foundation, the central vault room having sidewalls;
• providing a radiation emitting device in the central vault room;
• supporting a structural platform above the central vault room with shear walls or structural members that are outside the central vault room and independent from the sidewalls of the central vault room;
• and
• supporting a quantity of radiation shielding material above the central vault room with the structural platform, wherein the weight of the platform and the quantity of radiation shielding material above the central vault room is borne by the shear walls or structural members such that the load of the shielding material above the central vault room is separated from the load of the central vault room.