Research and Development of Three-Dimensional Isolation System for Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor: Part 1 — Proposal of Analytical Models Based on Loading Tests

This paper describes that the analytical model for the three-dimensional isolation system [1], which consists of thick rubber bearings, disc springs and oil dampers, is created through loading tests. The new-type analytical models of each element are proposed to improve the prediction accuracy of the seismic response analysis. The concept of the three-dimensional isolation system has been proposed to ensure the structural integrity for large reactor vessels. The primary specifications of the three-dimensional isolation system are a horizontal natural period of 3.4 s and a vertical natural period of 0.33 s. The investigations of horizontal isolation performances have been conducted for the various types of isolation devices, beginning with rubber bearings, whereas the previous studies focused on the vertical isolation performances are only a few. Hence, isolation characteristics, such as restoring force and damping force, should be clarified by loading tests using vertical seismic isolation elements, and analytical model to assess the seismic response should be identified on the basis of the loading test results. This paper presents a new analytical model with providing of the differential equations to improve the prediction accuracy and demonstrates the seismic performance, including beyond-design-basis ground motion, for the three-dimensional isolation system by the seismic response analysis.