BIM (Building Information Modelling) technologies and processes were used to overcome the challenge of preparing the executive design of the Dry Storage Unit (UAS), responsible for transferring nuclear fuel used in the Angra 1 and 2 power plants. Sondotécnica was contracted by the company Holtec International, at the service of Electronuclear, for the development of the design that plays a fundamental role in the storage solution of radioactive material from the power plants.
The designed complex includes an access control cabinet, guard slabs to receive the dry storage hulls of the height of almost 6m, hull concreting slab, in addition to the warehouse, with more than 700 m2 of the area containing radiological and temperature monitoring systems. The control and monitoring cabin was also designed to perform the physical, temperature, and radiological control for the access of personnel and equipment.
For such a challenge, Sondotécnica had a specialized multidisciplinary team, involving several specialties such as: Geology, Geotechnics; Architecture, Urbanization, Concrete and Metallic Structures, Geometric, Earthworks, Rainwater Drainage, Electrical System, Atmospheric Discharge and Grounding Protection System, Instrumentation and Control of telecommunications systems, CCTV, Fire Detection, in addition to specific projects such as Physical and Radiological Protection; Environmental and Hull Temperature Control; Fire and safety alarm, for connection to the external UAS network and Project for the interconnection of UAS supervisory systems with Angra 2.
“To meet expectations about compatibility between the different disciplines that are part of the design, due to the characteristics of restrictions inherent to the scope, the use of BIM technology and procedures were fundamental to ensure the correct integration of teams and verification between the various disciplines of the design. The processes for BIM design development presuppose the use of a platform for design visualization and collaboration between the various disciplines. We used a Common Data Environment (CDE), which allowed the efficient exchange of information between the various employees. The greatest advantage observed during the preparation of the BIM design was the compatibility between the various disciplines before sending the technical documents for the work, “highlights,” says Stefania Dimitrov, BIM manager and Innovation of Sondotécnica.
BIM was able to contribute to the quality of the intervention, not only in the design phase, but provided a basis that can be used for planning and execution of a construction, and especially in the operation and maintenance phase of the enterprise. The 3D Model has the potential to reference a database in which various information can be stored, useful at various stages of the useful life of the enterprise. In this way, after construction, the 3D digital model can serve to support the operation and maintenance of the enterprise.
BIM behaves as a georeferenced database of construction, being maintained in order to organize and manage the various information about construction. With the possibility of applying sensors in construction, the digital model can be fed with updated information, behaving like a digital twin of the built environment. Sondotécnica is very proud to be one of the largest experts in the market in this type of technology.
