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.

Investigation of the core neutronics analysis conditions for evaluation of burn-up nuclear characteristics of the next-generation fast reactors

Takino, Kazuo; Oki, Shigeo

JAEA-Data/Code 2023-003, 26 Pages, 2023/05

JAEA-Data-Code-2023-003.pdf:1.66MB

Since next-generation fast reactors aim to achieve a higher core discharge burn-up than conventional reactors do, core neutronics design methods must be refined. Therefore, a suitable analysis condition is required for the analysis of burn-up nuclear characteristics to accomplish sufficient estimation accuracy while maintaining a low computational cost. We investigated the effect of the analysis conditions on the accuracy of estimation of the burn-up nuclear characteristics of next-generation fast reactors in terms of neutron energy groups, neutron transport theory, and spatial mesh. This study treated the following burn-up nuclear characteristics: criticality, burn-up reactivity, control rod worth, breeding ratio, assembly-wise power distribution, maximum linear heat rate, sodium void reactivity, and Doppler coefficient for the equilibrium operation cycle. As a result, it was found that the following conditions were the most suitable: 18-energy-group structure, 6 spatial meshes per assembly with diffusion approximation. Additionally, these conditions should apply to correction factors for energy group structure, spatial mesh and transport effects.

Numerical study of initiating phase of core disruptive accident in small sodium-cooled fast reactors with negative void reactivity

Ishida, Shinya; Fukano, Yoshitaka; Tobita, Yoshiharu; Okano, Yasushi

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 13 Pages, 2023/00

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2023.2243949

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.

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

Applicability of equivalent linear analysis to reinforced concrete shear walls; 3D FEM simulation of experiment results of seismic wall ultimate behavior

Ichihara, Yoshitaka*; Nakamura, Naohiro*; Moritani, Hiroshi*; Horiguchi, Tomohiro*; Choi, B.

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai Wabun Rombunshi, 21(1), p.1 - 14, 2022/03

https://doi.org/10.3327/taesj.J20.038

In this study, we aim to approximately evaluate the effect of nonlinearity of reinforced concrete structures through seismic response analysis using the equivalent linear analysis method. A simulation analysis was performed for the ultimate response test of the shear wall of the reactor building used in an international competition by OECD/NEA in 1996. The equivalent stiffness and damping of the shear wall were obtained from the trilinear skeleton curves proposed by the Japan Electric Association and the hysteresis curves proposed by Cheng et al. The dominant frequency, maximum acceleration response, maximum displacement response, inertia force-displacement relationship, and acceleration response spectra of the top slab could be simulated well up to a shear strain of approximately =2.010. The equivalent linear analysis used herein underestimates the maximum displacement response at the time of ultimate fracture of approximately =4.010. Moreover, the maximum shear strain of the shear wall could not capture the locally occurring shear strain compared with that of the nonlinear analysis. Therefore, when employing this method to evaluate the maximum shear strain and test results, including those during the sudden increase in displacement immediately before the fracture, sufficient attention must be paid to its applicability.

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.

Issues and recommendations about application of graded approach to research reactors

Yonomoto, Taisuke; Mineo, Hideaki; Murayama, Yoji; Hohara, Shinya*; Nakajima, Ken*; Nakatsuka, Toru; Uesaka, Mitsuru*

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai-Shi ATOMO, 63(1), p.73 - 77, 2021/01

https://doi.org/10.3327/jaesjb.63.1_73

no abstracts in English

Development of ex-vessel phenomena analysis model for multi-scenario simulation system, spectra

Uchibori, Akihiro; Aoyagi, Mitsuhiro; Takata, Takashi; Ohshima, Hiroyuki

Proceedings of 2020 International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE 2020) (Internet), 7 Pages, 2020/08

https://doi.org/10.1115/ICONE2020-16818

The multi-scenario simulation system named SPECTRA has been developed for integrated analysis of in- and ex-vessel phenomena during a severe accident in sodium-cooled fast reactors. The base module computing ex-vessel compressible gas behavior by a lumped mass model and a sodium-concrete interaction module were verified through the basic analyses individually. A validity of the system including the base module and the individual physical module such as the sodium-concrete interaction module was confirmed through the analysis assuming sodium leakage from a reactor vessel and a primary cooling loop.

Recent activities in the field of reactor physics

Fukushima, Masahiro; Tojo, Masayuki*

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 56(12), p.1061 - 1062, 2019/12

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2019.1667925

Reactor Physics that treat the essentials of how fission nuclear reactors work fundamentally has important roles on safe operations and design studies of various types of nuclear reactors. From the latest activities in the field of reactor physics, this report summarizes some outstanding researches and developments published in scientific journals including the Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology.