Influences of base isolation system on seismic resistance of nuclear power plant containment

The study explored how to keep the reinforced concrete containment sealed and undamaged for the nuclear power plant subjected to a severe earthquake during the plant life. The propagation of seismic waves along the structure was analyzed. And based on the structural isolation technology, a three-dimensional finite element model was developed for the reinforced concrete containment. The application of the isolation technology to the reinforced concrete containment was discussed by applying a deterministic methodological approach. For the nuclear power plant subjected to a safe shutdown earthquake, the dynamic response of the reinforced concrete containment with isolators was compared with that of one without isolators. The accelerations at the dome vertex of the isolated containment along the x, y and z axes are about 2.85 m/s2, 3.05 m/s2 and 12.84 m/s2, respectively, which are 79.52%, 79.47% and 27.56%, respectively, lower compared with the isolated containment. So the isolation system is helpful for mitigating the seismic response of the nuclear power plant containment. ©, 2014, Explosion and Shock Waves. All right reserved.