Preprint / Version 1

Computational Assessment of Alkali-Silica-Reaction Impact on the Seismic Capacity of Nuclear Containment Vessels

##article.authors##

  • Albert Dahal
  • Benjamin W. Spencer
  • Somayajulu L. N. Dhulipala Idaho National Laboratory
  • Amit Jain
  • Luis F. Ibarra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31224/4042

Abstract

This study assesses the effects of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) on the seismic performance of nuclear containment vessels (CVs), which are the final barrier preventing the release of radioactive contaminants. ASR is an aging degradation mechanism that affects a variety of reinforced concrete structures and has been observed in multiple operating nuclear plants. This study simulates ASR progression and its effects on a reinforced concrete CV, employing a fully coupled multiphysics model that accounts for the interaction between thermal and moisture transport and the mechanical stress states. The ASR's effects on the seismic response of the CV after long-term environmental exposure was simulated using a unified modeling approach. The structure’s seismic performance was evaluated using incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) for a suite of ground motion records applied to pristine and degraded vessels. Fragility functions were developed for functional and collapse limit states to study the ability of the structure to maintain leak tightness and structural integrity, respectively. High-performance computing enabled completing the large set of seismic analyses required for the IDA. The results show a higher probability of exceeding the functional limit state with the ASR-degraded vessel, which potentially indicates an increased risk of contaminant release due to ASR. ASR degradation has a minimal impact on the median collapse capacity of the CV, but does increase the uncertainty in the collapse capacity.

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Posted

2024-10-25