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Article
Publication date: 5 June 2019

Gangling Hou, Meng Li, Sun Hai, Tianshu Song, Lingshu Wu, Yong Li, Gang Zheng, Feng Shen and Yaodong Chen

Seismic isolation, as an effective risk mitigation strategy of building/bridge structures, is incorporated into AP1000 nuclear power plants (NPPs) to alleviate the seismic damage…

Abstract

Purpose

Seismic isolation, as an effective risk mitigation strategy of building/bridge structures, is incorporated into AP1000 nuclear power plants (NPPs) to alleviate the seismic damage that may occur to traditional structures of NPPs during their service. This is to promote the passive safety concept in the structural design of AP1000 NPPs against earthquakes.

Design/methodology/approach

In conjunction with seismic isolation, tuned-mass-damping (TMD) is integrated into the seismic resistance system of AP1000 NPPs to satisfy the multi-functional purposes. The proposed base-isolation-tuned-mass-damper (BIS-TMD) is studied by comparing the seismic performance of NPPs with four different design configurations (i.e. without BIS, BIS, BIS-TMD and TMD) with the design parameters of the TMD subsystem optimized.

Findings

Such a new seismic protection system (BIS-TMD) is proved to be promising because the advantages of BIS and TMD can be fully used. The benefits of the new structure include effective energy dissipation (i.e. wide vibration absorption band and a stable damping effect), which results in the high performance of NPPs subject to earthquakes with various intensity levels and spectra features.

Originality/value

Parametric studies are performed to demonstrate the seismic robustness (e.g. consistent performance against the changing mass of the water in the gravity liquid tank and mechanical properties) which further ensures that seismic safety requirements of NPPs can be satisfied through the use of BIS-TMD.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 36 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 February 2020

Gangling Hou, Yu Liu, Meng Li, Menghan Sun, Feng Sun, Xiuyun Zhu, Rong Pan and Dongyu Zhang

In recent years, a new type of double-layered containment structure of nuclear power plant has been built in China, named ACP1000 NNP. This paper aims to propose a new method to…

Abstract

Purpose

In recent years, a new type of double-layered containment structure of nuclear power plant has been built in China, named ACP1000 NNP. This paper aims to propose a new method to mitigate the seismic responses of this type of the structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The new base isolation structure (BIS)- tuned mass damper (TMD) structure was proposed and implemented only by modifying the connection between various components of NPPs, and the application of this concept design in ACP1000 was skillfully realized.

Findings

The new structure adopts the combination of structural form and function, adopts appropriate amplification of the seismic response of the secondary component, possesses advantages in explicit damping mechanism, good damping effect, robustness of seismic structures, simple implementation process, etc., and meets the special seismic safety requirements of the NPPs.

Originality/value

This seismic and hazard mitigation and BIS-TMD structure can avoid the risk of ACP1000 accidents caused by horizontal earthquakes.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 37 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 September 2021

Xiuyun Zhu, Rong Pan, Jianbo Li and Gao Lin

In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) seismic base isolation system has been studied extensively. This paper aims to propose a new 3D combined isolation bearing (3D-CIB) to…

310

Abstract

Purpose

In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) seismic base isolation system has been studied extensively. This paper aims to propose a new 3D combined isolation bearing (3D-CIB) to mitigate the seismic response in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

Design/methodology/approach

The new 3D-CIB composed of laminated rubber bearing coupled with combined disk spring bearing (CDSB) was proposed. Comprehensive analysis of constitution and theoretical derivation for 3D-CIB were presented. The advantage of CDSB is that the constitution can be flexibly adjusted according to the requirements of the bearing capacity and vertical stiffness. Hence, four different combinations of CDSB were designed for the 3D-CIB and employed to isolate nuclear reactor building. A comparative study of the seismic response in terms of seismic action, acceleration floor response spectra (FRS), peak acceleration and relative displacement response was carried out.

Findings

3D-CIB can effectively reduce seismic action, FRS and peak acceleration response of the superstructure in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Overall, the horizontal isolation effectiveness of 3D-CIB was slightly influenced by vertical stiffness. The decrease in the vertical stiffness of the 3D-CIB can reduce the vertical FRS and shift the peak values to a lower frequency. The vertical peak acceleration decreased with a decrease in the vertical stiffness. The superstructure exhibited a rocking effect during the earthquake, and the decrease in the vertical stiffness may increase the rocking of the superstructure.

Originality/value

Although the advantage of 3D-CIB is that the vertical stiffness can be flexibly adjusted by different constitutions, the vertical stiffness should be designed by properly accounting for the balance between the isolation effectiveness and displacement response. This study of isolation effectiveness can provide the technical basis for the application of 3D-CIB into real engineering of nuclear power plants.

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