Aging deterioration test of seismic isolation applied to fusion experimental reactor

Takeda, Nobukazu; Nakahira, Masataka; Kakudate, Satoshi; Takahashi, Hiroyuki*; Shibanuma, Kiyoshi; Yabana, Shuichi*; Matsuda, Akihiro*

For the ITER, a fusion experimental reactor, it is planned to use rubber bearings in order to enhance the reliability of integrity with a sufficient margin even for the earthquakes beyond the design basis earthquake. In application for nuclear plants, the vertical compression of the isolator is 25 MPa and there is no experience for such a high compression as 10 MPa to be used for the ITER. Therefore, there is not enough design data of the rubber bearings with high compression, and thus a detailed estimation of performance is necessary. As a result of the endurance test after aging, it was validated that the bearing can be applied safely until 400th cycle even after 40 years of aging. On the other hand, the residual deformation was found at the 246th cycle. This means that the residual deformation can be observed enough earlier than the change of the macroscopic mechanical parameter such as stiffness. Therefore, it is possible to prevent break of the bearing during operation by sensing a sign of break with a periodical visual inspection.