The World Demolition Award-winning project

Brandenburg started the Johnsonville demolition in 2019

Brandenburg Industrial Service Company started plant demolition in 2019. It began with the abatement of 10 boilers and the concurrent demolition of outbuildings as well as the removal of the turbines, turbine hall and all marine features.

Strip-out was essential because the boiler structure had to have the lower 11.3m (37 ft) clear of equipment and piping to facilitate the implosion of all 10 units. Demolition/abatement took place adjacent to a functional switchyard, water treatment building and tanks, while access to the treatment plant had to be maintained at all times.

Live utilities surrounded and ran through the site. Coordination with water navigational vessels was critical as the work required use of a 300 t crawler crane with a 97 m (320 ft) boom to remove two large barge unloaders.

Demolition was completed on time and on budget and Brandenburg’s efforts facilitated the recycling of approximately 100,000 t of steel and about 100,000 t of brick, block and concrete. The 150 Brandenburg professionals completed the 34-month project in 550,000 man hours.

The final implosion was marked by a statement from TVA’s vice president for major projects, Roger Waldrep: “Safety is our primary mission, and I’d like to thank the team who was able to complete this portion of the project without any issues.”