Aseismic design and dynamic analysis of nuclear power plants

Abstract

Some problems of the aseismic design for nuclear power plants are surveyed, and a proposed method of solution by dynamic analysis is illustrated with examples of the first Japanese power reactor JPDR (Japan Power Demonstration Reactor). Two major buildings of the JPDR represent different types of vibration mode. The square turbine building on the surface sand and concrete pile foundation is analysed as a swaying motion type structure, and the cylindrical containment vessel supported on the sandy shale is treated to be a rocking motion type. Gauges were mounted in the containment vessel to measure the vibration behavior caused by natural earthquakes for comparison with this calculation. Data so far obtained show fairly good agreement between the analysis and measurements.

This paper presentst he case of the swaying motion type. The case of the rocking motion type will be presented in part II, to be published in the next issue and compared with the observed data.