WVDP Phase 1A

Project Background

The West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) is a federally controlled, 3,300-acre site located 30 miles south of Buffalo, NY. Originally built for commercial reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel between 1966 and 1972, the facility later became the focus of a large-scale decommissioning effort. In 1980, the WVDP Act, signed by President Jimmy Carter, authorized the U.S. Department of Energy (US-DOE) to oversee the remediation of the site, including the disposal of radioactive waste. Due to the hazardous nature of the materials once processed at WVDP, decommissioning requires a highly controlled and systematic demolition process. Rather than conventional structural demolition, which focuses on rapid teardown, this project demands careful engineering analysis to prevent premature collapse and ensure the safety of workers and the surrounding environment. This unique challenge led American DND to adopt RISA-3D as a critical tool for planning and executing the demolition safely.

"RISA accurately predicted the results observed during actual demolition."

— Mike Weyand, PE

About the Structure

The structures at WVDP are vastly different from typical commercial or industrial buildings. Constructed to contain and shield against radiation, they are built with massive, heavily reinforced concrete walls, floors, and ceilings, some reaching thicknesses of three to five feet. These elements were designed to withstand extreme loads and impacts, making them far more robust than conventional structures. Additionally, the facility contains large overhead gantry cranes, steel shielding doors, and other embedded steel components that further complicate the demolition process. Because these structures were engineered to resist significant forces, removing even small portions of a wall or ceiling can create unexpected force redistributions, potentially leading to unplanned structural failures. The complexity of the materials and their interaction required an advanced structural analysis approach to safely plan the step-by-step deconstruction of the facility.

How Were RISA Products Utilized?

To navigate these challenges, American DND engineers turned to RISA-3D as an essential tool in their demolition planning. The software was first introduced at WVDP in 2012-2013 by John Schenne, PE, who used it to analyze how large openings could be cut into thick concrete walls without compromising structural integrity. Since 2016, Mike Weyand, PE, has further expanded RISA’s applications, incorporating it into specialized structural evaluations and safety assessments for the demolition process. As part of the OSHA-mandated Pre-Demolition Engineering Surveys, engineers used RISA-3D to model and analyze various structural elements, including walls, floors, ceilings, and large steel components. By breaking down the structure into discrete elements, they were able to simulate the impact of selective removals, ensuring that demolition activities did not inadvertently trigger collapses or unsafe conditions. Beyond pre-demolition planning, RISA-3D also played a crucial role during active demolition. Engineers used the software to perform real-time calculations and make rapid adjustments based on actual structural behavior observed on-site. This capability allowed them to verify their initial predictions, refine their models, and ensure a safer deconstruction process. Additionally, the ability to generate graphical representations of structural behavior helped communicate anticipated outcomes to field workers, giving demolition crews a clear understanding of what to expect as each phase progressed. By integrating RISA-3D into their workflow, American DND has been able to optimize structural analysis for complex demolition scenarios, ensuring a more efficient and safer decommissioning process.