Context and challenges

The client is a major player in the nuclear sector, specialised in research. It has introduced a programme for the recovery and conditioning of waste from one of its industrial sites. One of the programme projects involves the design, construction and outfitting of facilities for the recovery of “bulk” intermediate-level waste present in wells and pits. This waste has to be characterised, conditioned and shipped to the disposal outlets.

The client called on Assystem, in cooperation with an other engineering firm, to perform the design work, from work monitoring through to commissioning, as part of a comprehensive Project Supervisor mission.

In a context of digitalization and deployment of a systems engineering approach, Assystem suggested to implement a PLM solution for this project.

Project scope

Assystem handled the project management, nuclear safety design work, mechanical systems design, processes and utilities (ventilation, electricity, fluids, low voltage supplies).

In order to successfully manage the technical and organisational complexity of the project, Assystem introduced a number of digital tools:

  • A BIM digital model to centralise and share information, directly on the 3D representation of the final object
  • Gateways between mechanical design software and REVIT, which houses the mock-up
  • Use of REQTIFY to monitor requirements
  • Progressive implementation of PLM, from the DMS (Document Management System) through to project workflows, to centralise design work and capitalise on past experience: 
    • Set up of multiple “product” breakdown structures: digital, functional, geographical, organisational or contractual (work packages) enabling data effective organisation and readability
    • Integration of a document management approach (including the associated workflows)
    • Integration of a requirements management approach linked with the other components

Results

  • Technical and methodological support to eliminate problems caused by lack of reliable information, while designing flexible and robust solutions
  • Enhanced productivity and quality of deliverables due to improved information sharing, which is more reliable, organised and accessible
  • Assistance with additional steps involving public authorities and, after several suspensions, resumption of design process with no loss of information
  • Anticipation of activities with personnel acting as interfaces, while ensuring project reliability by examining sensitivity to proposed external parameters
  • Assistance in redefining the project to optimise the all-inclusive programme by investigating several solutions in parallel

in figures

  • 2
    process buildings and 6 annex buildings
  • 4
    years of construction
  • 50,000
    m3 / 4,000 m2
  • 100,000
    hours of design work

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