Stability of Concrete Containments of Nuclear Plants Under Jet Impact Loads

Abstract

Nuclear power plants are considered vital structures for generating electrical energy worldwide. In general, a nuclear power plant structure includes two containments, external and internal ones. The internal containment surrounds the main reactor as a primary shield. Meanwhile, the external containment protects the reactor from external impact loads such as jet crash, as well as being considered as a final shield between the internal of the reactor and the outer environment. This research studies the integrity of a reactor outer containment after being hit by a jet plane. Within the context of the research, an analytical model is generated using ANSYS^® software to replicate the hit of the reinforced concrete containment including the circular shell and dome. An existing design of a classical nuclear reactor is used in modeling. Such design considers having the shell and the dome lined with inner steel liner plates in order to minimize the radiation flow to the outer environment in case of accidents. The studied external containment structure is assumed subjected to the impact of a jet plane, Boeing 747-200c. Riera Method is used to simulate the impact load with respect to time at a vertical level of 30 m above the upper foundation level, and at the outer surface of the external shell. Heavy weight concrete is assumed used in the shell and the dome with a compressive strength of about 60 MPa. The impact load is concentrated at 16 nodes at the outer surface of containment. The maximum deformations of the containment structure are studied and especially within the impact region of the jet plane. The containment is found to be stable after the impact of the jet plane, but with having some clear damage to some elements within the region surrounding the impact area and some secondary damages in other locations.