Standard guideline for the seismic response analysis method using three-dimensional finite element model of reactor buildings (Contract research) (Translated document)

Choi, B.; Nishida, Akemi; Kawata, Manabu; Shiomi, Tadahiko; Li, Y.

JAEA-Research 2024-001, 206 Pages, 2024/03

JAEA-Research-2024-001.pdf:9.12MB

In the assessment of seismic safety and the design of building structures in nuclear facilities, lumped mass models have been used as standard methods. Recent advances in computer capabilities allow the use of three-dimensional finite element (3D FE) models to account for the 3D behavior of buildings, material nonlinearity, and the nonlinear soil-structure interaction effect. While 3D analysis method has many advantages, it is necessary to ensure its reliability as a new approach. The International Atomic Energy Agency performed an international benchmark study using the 3D FE analysis model for reactor building of Unit 7 at TEPCO's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station based on recordings from the Niigataken Chuetsu-oki Earthquake in 2007. Multiple organizations from different countries participated in this study and the variation in their analytical results was significant, indicating an urgent need to improve the reliability of the analytical results by standardization of the analytical methods using 3D FE models. Additionally, it has been pointed out that it is necessary to understand the 3D behavior in the seismic fragility assessment of buildings and equipment, using realistic seismic response analysis method based on 3D FE models. In view of these considerations, a guideline for the seismic response analysis method using a 3D FE model was developed by incorporating the latest knowledge and findings in this area. The purpose of the guideline is to improve the reliability of the seismic response analysis method using 3D FE model of reactor buildings. The guideline consists of a main body, commentaries, and appendixes. The standard procedures, recommendations, key points to note, and technological bases for conducting seismic response analysis on reactor buildings using 3D FE models are provided in the guideline. In addition, the guideline will be revised reflecting the latest knowledge.

Standard guideline for the seismic response analysis method using 3D finite element model of reactor buildings (Contract research)

Choi, B.; Nishida, Akemi; Kawata, Manabu; Shiomi, Tadahiko; Li, Y.

JAEA-Research 2021-017, 174 Pages, 2022/03

JAEA-Research-2021-017.pdf:9.33MB

Standard methods such as lumped mass models have been used in the assessment of seismic safety and the design of building structures in nuclear facilities. Recent advances in computer capabilities allow the use of three-dimensional finite element (3D FE) models to account for the 3D behavior of buildings, material nonlinearity, and the nonlinear soil-structure interaction effect. Since the 3D FE model enables more complex and high-level treatment than ever before, it is necessary to ensure the reliability of the analytical results generated by the 3D FE model. Guidelines for assuring the dependability of modeling techniques and the treatment of nonlinear aspects of material properties have already been created and technical certifications have been awarded in domains other than nuclear engineering. The International Atomic Energy Agency performed an international benchmark study in nuclear engineering. Multiple organizations reported on the results of seismic response studies using the 3D FE model based on recordings from the Niigata-ken Chuetsuoki Earthquake in 2007. The variation in their analytical results was significant, indicating an urgent need to improve the reliability of the analytical results by standardization of the analytical methods using 3D FE models. Additionally, it has been pointed out that it is necessary to understand the 3D behavior in the seismic fragility assessment of buildings and equipment, which requires evaluating the realistic nonlinear behavior of building facilities when assessing their seismic fragility. In view of these considerations, a standard guideline for the seismic response analysis method using a 3D FE model was produced by incorporating the latest knowledge and findings in this area. The purpose of the guideline is to improve the reliability of the seismic response analysis method using 3D FE model of reactor buildings. The guideline consists of a main body, commentaries, and appendixes; it also provides standard procedures

Outline of guideline for seismic response analysis method using 3D finite element model of reactor building

Choi, B.; Nishida, Akemi; Shiomi, Tadahiko; Kawata, Manabu; Li, Y.

Proceedings of 28th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE 28) (Internet), 7 Pages, 2021/08

https://doi.org/10.1115/ICONE28-61786

In the seismic safety assessment of building structures in nuclear facilities, lumped mass models are conventionally used. However, they cannot possess the required high-accuracy evaluation of nuclear facilities, such as the local response at the equipment location in a reactor building. In this point of view, a seismic response analysis method using a three-dimensional finite element (3D FE) model is indispensable. Although, it has been reported that the analysis results obtained using 3D FE models vary greatly depending on the experience and knowledge of analysts, the quality of analysis results should be insured by developing a standard analysis method. In the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, we have developed a guideline for seismic response analysis methods that adopt 3D FE models of reactor buildings. The guideline consists of a main body, commentary, and several supplements; it also includes procedures, recommendations, points of attention, and a technical basis for conducting seismic response analysis using 3D FE models of reactor buildings. In this paper, the outline of the guideline and analysis examples based on the guideline are presented.

Failure behavior analyses of piping system under dynamic seismic loading

Udagawa, Makoto; Li, Y.; Nishida, Akemi; Nakamura, Izumi*

International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping, 167, p.2 - 10, 2018/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2018.10.002

It is important to assure the structural Integrity of piping systems under severe earthquakes because those systems comprise the pressure boundary for coolant with high pressure and temperature. In this study, we examine the seismic safety capacity of piping systems under severe dynamic seismic loading using a series of dynamic-elastic-plastic analyses focusing on dynamic excitation experiments of 3D piping systems which was tested by NIED. Analytical results were consistent with experimental data in terms of natural frequency, natural vibration mode, response accelerations, elbow opening-closing displacements, strain histories, failure position, and low-cycle fatigue failure lives. Based on these results, we concluded that the analytical model used in the study can be applied to failure behavior evaluation for piping systems under severe dynamic seismic loading.

Reliability enhancement of seismic risk assessment of NPP as risk management fundamentals; Quantifying epistemic uncertainty in fragility assessment using expert opinions and sensitivity analysis

Choi, B.; Nishida, Akemi; Itoi, Tatsuya*; Takada, Tsuyoshi*; Furuya, Osamu*; Muta, Hitoshi*; Muramatsu, Ken

Proceedings of 13th Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Management Conference (PSAM-13) (USB Flash Drive), 8 Pages, 2016/10

In this study, we address epistemic uncertainty in structure fragility estimation of nuclear power plants (NPPs). In order to identify and quantify dominant factors in fragility assessment, sensitivity analyses of seismic analysis results are conducted for a target NPP building using a three-dimensional finite element model and a conventional lumped mass model (embedded sway rocking model), and the uncertainty caused by the major factors is then evaluated. The results are used to classify epistemic uncertainty levels in a fragility estimation workflow for NPPs in several stages, and a graded knowledge tree technique, which can be used for future fragility estimations, is proposed.

Evaluation on seismic integrity of HTTR core components

Ono, Masato; Iigaki, Kazuhiko; Shimazaki, Yosuke; Tochio, Daisuke; Shimizu, Atsushi; Inoi, Hiroyuki; Hamamoto, Shimpei; Takada, Shoji; Sawa, Kazuhiro

Proceedings of International Topical Meeting on Research Reactor Fuel Management and Meeting of the International Group on Reactor Research (RRFM/IGORR 2016) (Internet), p.363 - 371, 2016/03

HTTR is graphite moderated and helium gas-cooled reactor with prismatic fuel elements and hexagonal blocks. Here, the graphite block is brittle materials and might be damaged by collision of neighboring blocks by the large earthquake. A seismic observation system is installed in the HTTR site to confirm a behavior of a seismic event. On March 11th, 2011, off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake of magnitude 9.0 occurred. After the accident at the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the safety of nuclear reactors is the highest importance. To confirm the seismic integrity of HTTR core components, the seismic analysis was carried out using the evaluation waves based on the relationship between the observed earthquake motion at HTTR site and frequency transfer function. In parallel, confirmation tests of primary cooling system on cold state and integrity confirmation of reactor buildings and component support structures were also carried out. As a result, it was found that a stress value of the graphite blocks satisfied an allowable value, and the integrity of the HTTR core components was ensured. The integrity of HTTR core components was also supported by the operation without reactor power in cold conditions of HTTR. The obtained data was compared with the normal plant data before the earthquake. As the result, the integrity of the HTTR facilities was confirmed.

Dynamic analysis of ITER tokamak based on results of vibration test using scaled model

Takeda, Nobukazu; Kakudate, Satoshi; Nakahira, Masataka

JAERI-Tech 2004-072, 43 Pages, 2005/01

JAERI-Tech-2004-072.pdf:6.06MB

The vibration experiments of the support structures with flexible plates for the ITER major components such as the vacuum vessel (VV) and the toroidal field (TF) coil were performed aiming to obtain its basic mechanical characteristics. Based on the experimental results, numerical analysis regarding the actual support structure was performed and a simplified model of the support structure was proposed. A support structure was modeled by only two spring elements. The stiffness calculated by the spring model agrees well with that of shell model, simulating actual structures based on the experimental results. It is therefore found that the spring model with the only two values of stiffness enables to simplify the complicated support structure with flexible plates. Using the spring model, the dynamic analysis of the VV and TF coil were performed to estimate the integrity under the design earthquake. As a result, the maximum relative displacement of 8.6 mm between VV and TF coil is much less than designed clearance, 100 mm, so that the integrity of the components is ensured.

Dynamic analysis of ITER tokamak using simplified model for support structure

Takeda, Nobukazu; Shibanuma, Kiyoshi

Purazuma, Kaku Yugo Gakkai-Shi, 80(11), p.988 - 990, 2004/11

http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110003827652

The simplified analytical model of the support structure composed of complicated structures such as multiple flexible plates was proposed for the dynamic analysis of the ITER major components of VV and TF coil. The support structure composed of flexible plates and connection bolts was modeled as a spring model composed of only two spring elements including the effect of connection bolts. The stiffness of both spring models for VV and TF coil agree well with that of shell models simulating actual structures such as flexible plates and connection bolts. Using the proposed model, the dynamic analysis of the VV and TF coil for the ITER were performed to estimate the integrity under the design earthquake at Rokkasho, a candidate of ITER site. As a result, it is found that the maximum relative displacement of 8.6 mm between VV and TF coil is much less than 100 mm, so that the integrity of the major components are ensured for the expected earthquake event.

User's manual of SECOM2: A Computer code for seismic system reliability analysis

Uchiyama, Tomoaki; Oikawa, Tetsukuni; Kondo, Masaaki; Watanabe, Yuichi*; Tamura, Kazuo*

JAERI-Data/Code 2002-011, 205 Pages, 2002/03

JAERI-Data-Code-2002-011.pdf:8.52MB

This report is a user's manual of seismic system reliability analysis code SECOM2 developed at the JAERI for system reliability analysis, which is one of the tasks of seismic probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) of nuclear power plants (NPPs). The SECOM2 code has many functions such as calculation of component and system failure probabilities for given seismic motion levels at the site of an NPP based on the response factor method, calculation of accident sequence frequencies and the core damage frequency (CDF), importance analysis using various indicators, uncertainty analysis, and calculation of the CDF taking into account the effect of the correlations of responses and capacities of components. These analyses require the fault tree (FT) representing the occurrence condition of the system failures and core damage, information about responses and capacities of the components which compose the FT, and seismic hazard curve for the NPP site as input. This report presents calculation method used in the SECOM2 code and how to use those functions in the SECOM2 code.

ROCKING: A Computer program for seismic response analysis of radioactive materials transport and/or storage casks

JAERI-Data/Code 95-017, 64 Pages, 1995/11

JAERI-Data-Code-95-017.pdf:1.24MB

no abstracts in English