A cross‐scale refined damage evolution analysis of large commercial aircraft crashing into a nuclear power plant

Abstract

SummarySince the 9/11 attacks, whether nuclear power plants (NPPs) can withstand the malicious impact of large commercial aircraft has become a question that must be considered in the design phase. Refined model and fine‐scale element reflect more accurately the failure procedure and behaviour. However, due to the exceedingly complex structure of NPP, the traditional meshing method requires a substantial number of geometric operations involving point, line, area, and volume, leading to a tedious modelling process and very high computational costs, as well as making it difficult to modify and optimize the model. This paper combines the scaled boundary finite element method with the octree technique to refine nuclear engineering damage evolution analysis and establish a refined numerical model of the Generation III+ NPP, considering the detailed equipment hatch, air intake, and internal steel containment vessel structures. Subsequently, the refined damage evolution analysis of a large commercial aircraft crashing into an NPP was developed. The mesh size sensitivity, impact region shape comparison, and the influence of different impact heights were discussed. The results indicate that the cross‐scale refined meshing and analysis method provides a high‐quality discrete grid with fewer elements. Furthermore, this method is highly flexible, more accurately simulating the damage evolution and gradual destruction process. We recommend future structural optimization for the air intake and conducting detailed analyses at this location. The cross‐scale analysis method presented in this paper enables a rapid, refined simulation of a malicious impact by a large commercial aircraft. Additionally, it provides technical support for future studies of the responses of NPPs' internal structures, systems, and equipment under extreme earthquake and other disaster conditions.