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

Nuclear Engineering and Design, 441, p.114160_1 - 114160_10, 2025/09

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2025.114160

This paper evaluates the applicability of equivalent linear analysis of reinforced concrete model, which uses frequency-independent complex damping with a small computational load, to the seismic design of nuclear power plant reactor buildings. To this end, a three-dimensional finite element method analysis of the soil-structure interaction focusing on nonlinear and equivalent linear seismic behavior of the building embedded in an ideally uniform soil condition was performed for the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 7 reactor building. The equivalent linear analysis results correlated well with the nonlinear analysis results of the shear strain, acceleration, displacement, and acceleration response spectrum, demonstrating the effectiveness of the equivalent linear analysis method. Moreover, the equivalent linear analysis results were more conservative than those of nonlinear analysis using the material constitutive law in evaluating the shear strain of the external wall of the reactor building. From this result, equivalent linear analysis method tended to obtain a lower building stiffness than nonlinear analysis under the analysis conditions used in this paper.

Analysis of acceleration mode of HTTR building considering phase differences among accelerometers based on multiple seismic observation records

Yamakawa, Koki*; Hiramatsu, Masako*; Moritani, Hiroshi*; Iiba, Masanori*; Nishida, Akemi; Shiomi, Tadahiko; Choi, B.; Iigaki, Kazuhiko

Transactions of the 28th International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology (SMiRT28) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2025/08

To understand the three-dimensional seismic behavior of nuclear buildings, the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) have been conducting research and development aimed at improving the accuracy of three-dimensional seismic analysis methods for nuclear buildings. A large-scale observation system was constructed in the High Temperature engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) building of JAEA, enabling seismic observation and artificial wave excitation. Using this system, vibration characteristics of the HTTR building have been analyzed based on both seismic observation records and analyses using a three-dimensional seismic analysis model of the HTTR building. This paper reports on the vibration characteristics of the HTTR building obtained from the analysis of seismic observation records, as well as on the improvements made to the three-dimensional finite element model and the results of simulation analyses using artificial waves. In particular, this paper presents the results of an analysis of the Fourier spectral ratio at the first floor of the HTTR building based on seismic records, and discusses the dominant frequencies and acceleration modes of the superstructure.

Development of a probabilistic risk assessment method for combined hazards; A Classification and modeling framework for multihazard events

Choi, B.; Nishida, Akemi; Tsutsumi, Hideaki*; Takada, Tsuyoshi

Proceedings of Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Management & Asian Symposium on Risk Assessment and Management (PSAM17 & ASRAM2024) (Internet), 8 Pages, 2024/10

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident highlighted the importance of developing safety assessment methods that consider multihazard events involving numerous simultaneously occurring events such as earthquakes (shaking) and tsunamis (submersion). When addressing such multihazard events, traditional methods often focus on assessing the load combinations of general structures in their structural designs and adopt simple selection criteria. However, these methods fall short when evaluating, countering, and screening external events, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, strong winds, and concentrated heavy rainfall, that occur simultaneously or in a chain. To address this, we reviewed existing literature on multihazard assessment methods, focusing particularly on scenarios involving earthquake and tsunami events. Based on concepts and basic theories, we examined various methods for addressing multihazard scenarios and classified their characteristics. Specifically, several multihazard scenarios were surveyed, and the relationships between multiple hazards were organized. In addition, common causes leading to combined events, their mutual influences, and potential cascading effects were analyzed.

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.

Recent improvement of system reliability analysis code SECOM2-DQFM for seismic probabilistic risk assessment

Muramatsu, Ken; Kubo, Kotaro; Choi, B.; Nishida, Akemi; Takada, Tsuyoshi

Transactions of the 27th International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology (SMiRT 27) (Internet), 10 Pages, 2024/03

no abstracts in English

A Study on improvement of three-dimensional seismic analysis method of nuclear building using a large-scale observation system, 3; Improvement and validation of three-dimensional seismic analysis method

Choi, B.; Nishida, Akemi; Shiomi, Tadahiko; Kawata, Manabu; Iigaki, Kazuhiko; Yamakawa, Koki*

Transactions of the 27th International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology (SMiRT 27) (Internet), 8 Pages, 2024/03

no abstracts in English

Analytical study for low ground contact ratio of buildings due to the basemat uplift using a three-dimensional finite element model

Choi, B.; Nishida, Akemi; Shiomi, Tadahiko; Kawata, Manabu; Li, Y.; Ota, Akira*; Sonobe, Hideaki*; Ino, Susumu*; Ugata, Takeshi*

Mechanical Engineering Journal (Internet), 10(4), p.23-00026_1 - 23-00026_11, 2023/08

https://doi.org/10.1299/mej.23-00026

In the seismic evaluation of nuclear facility buildings, basemat uplift-the phenomenon during which the bottom of the basemat of a building partially rises from the ground owing to overturning moments during earthquakes-is a very important aspect because it affects not only structural strength and integrity, but also the response of equipment installed in the building. However, there are not enough analytical studies on the behavior of buildings with a low ground contact ratio due to basemat uplift during earthquakes. In this study, we conducted a simulation using a three-dimensional finite element model from past experiments on basemat uplift; further, we confirmed the validity of this approach. In order to confirm the difference in the analytical results depending on the analysis code, the simulation was performed under the same analytical conditions using the three analysis codes, which are E-FrontISTR, FINAS/STAR and TDAPIII, and the obtained analysis results were compared. Accordingly, we investigated the influence of the difference in adhesion on the structural response at low ground contact ratio. In addition, we confirmed the effects of significant analysis parameters on the structural response via sensitivity analysis. In this paper, we report the analytical results and insights obtained from these investigations.

Construction of large-scale observation system for improvement of three-dimensional seismic analysis method for nuclear buildings

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

Proceedings of 2023 International Congress on Advanced in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2023) (Internet), 10 Pages, 2023/04

Our research and development are aimed at improving the accuracy of the three-dimensional seismic evaluation analysis method for nuclear buildings, which contributes to the probabilistic risk assessment caused by earthquakes (seismic PRA), using actual seismic observation records in collaboration with the Nuclear Regulation Authority since 2019. In this study, we constructed a large-scale observation system that enabled simultaneous measurements at multiple positions during earthquakes or against artificial waves. The accelerometers of the observation system were installed on/in the soil, floors, and on the walls of the nuclear building. This paper presents an outline of the large-scale observation system and the findings obtained from the analysis of the seismic observation records acquired using the system.

The Muon linac project at J-PARC

Kondo, Yasuhiro; Kitamura, Ryo; Fuwa, Yasuhiro; Morishita, Takatoshi; Moriya, Katsuhiro; Takayanagi, Tomohiro; Otani, Masashi*; Cicek, E.*; Ego, Hiroyasu*; Fukao, Yoshinori*; et al.

Proceedings of 31st International Linear Accelerator Conference (LINAC 2022) (Internet), p.636 - 641, 2022/09

https://doi.org/10.18429/JACoW-LINAC2022-WE1AA05

The muon linac project for the precise measurement of the muon anomalous magnetic and electric dipole moments, which is currently one of the hottest issues of the elementary particle physics, is in progress at J-PARC. The muons from the J-PARC muon facility are once cooled to room temperature, then accelerated up to 212 MeV with a normalized emittance of 1.5 mm mrad and a momentum spread of 0.1%. Four types of accelerating structures are adopted to obtain the efficient acceleration with a wide beta range from 0.01 to 0.94. The project is moving into the construction phase. We already demonstrated the re-acceleration scheme of the decelerated muons using a 324-MHz RFQ in 2017. The high-power test of the 324-MHz Interdigital H-mode (IH) DTL using a prototype cavity was performed in 2021. The fabrication of the first module of 14 modules of the 1296-MHz Disk and Washer (DAW) CCL will be done to confirm the production process. Moreover, the final design of the travelling wave accelerating structure for the high beta region is also proceeding. In this paper, the recent progress toward the realization of the world first muon linac will be presented.

Identification of the reactor building damage mode for seismic fragility assessment using a three-dimensional finite element model

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

Transactions of the 26th International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology (SMiRT-26) (Internet), 10 Pages, 2022/07

In order to improve the seismic probabilistic risk assessment method, the authors are developing methods related to realistic response, realistic resistance and fragility assessment for buildings and equipment that are important for seismic safety. In this study, in order to identify of building damage mode subjected to large seismic motions, pushover analyses using multiple analysis codes were performed using a 3D FE model of a reactor building. We obtained the analysis results for the identification of local damage mode that contributes to the fragility assessment. In this paper, we report the progress of local damage mode and ultimate strength of the building by the pushover analysis. We also compared this result with the seismic response analysis results.