Update on Impact Effects in Nuclear Plants Part I?Overview and Need for Integrated Approach

Sliter, George E.; Ravindra, Mayasandra K.; ,

Update on Impact Effects in Nuclear Plants Part I?Overview and Need for Integrated Approach

by George E. Sliter, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA, USA,
Mayasandra K. Ravindra, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA, USA,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Structural Engineering in Nuclear Facilities

Abstract:

In this paper, an ASCE working group on impact effects in nuclear plants updates the review of this technology contained in a five-year-old ASCE report. In Part I, an overview is given of the impact conditions addressed in nuclear plant design against missiles generated by such postulated extreme events as tornados, turbine failures, pipe ruptures, aircraft crashes, and drops of heavy objects from lifting devices. The conclusion of a brief evaluation of the state of the art in predicting structural response for the various missile impact types is that two of them - pipe whip and heavy object drop - would benefit most by further development of design and analysis methods. Parts II and III of this paper review current practice and identify its limitations for these two impact types. Part I continues with a discussion of the general characteristics of impacts and the structural response they produce and concludes with a recommendation for and brief description of an 'integrated approach' for treating impact effects. The adoption of this systematic approach in future development of impact technology would guide engineers in the use of the most appropriate and accurate available techniques for designing against a particular impact event.

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