Applicability of equivalent linear three-dimensional FEM analysis of reactor buildings to the seismic response of a soil-structure interaction system

Ichihara, Yoshitaka*; Nakamura, Naohiro*; Nabeshima, Kunihiko*; Choi, B.  ; Nishida, Akemi  

The objective of this study is to evaluate the applicability of the equivalent linear analysis method for reinforced concrete, which uses frequency-independent complex damping with a small computational load, to the seismic design of reactor building of the nuclear power plant. To achieve this, the three-dimensional finite element analyses of the soil-structure interaction system focusing on the nonlinear and equivalent linear seismic behavior under an ideal soil condition were performed for Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant Unit 7 reactor building. From these results, the equivalent linear analysis method showed a generally good correspondence with the nonlinear analysis method, and the effectiveness of the method was confirmed.