Evaluation of hydrodynamic loads on the planar trash-blocking nets at coastal nuclear power plant intake under flow action based on finite element analysis

The trash-blocking net facility installed at the water intake serves as a crucial barrier for coastal nuclear power plants, safeguarding against the risks posed by marine biofouling. However, the complex marine environment, along with heavy biofouling, poses significant challenges to the safe operation of trash-blocking nets. In this study, a comprehensive investigation of trash-blocking nets under uniform current conditions was conducted using finite element-based numerical simulations, incorporating variations in flow velocity, water level, net width, and solidity ratio. The results indicated that as flow velocity increased, water level decreased, net wider and solidity ratio rose, the total drag, deformation, and tensions in various components (main rope, reinforcing ropes, anchor rings, and twines) exhibited an increasing trend. Based on these findings, empirical expressions were developed to represent the individual and combined effects of the influencing factors on total drag force and main rope tension. The total drag force and main rope tension were found to have a quadratic relationship with flow velocity, water level and solidity ratio, and a linear relationship with net width. This study provides a foundational reference and data support for predicting the loads on trash-blocking nets and preventing failure risks.